Horse moving jaw

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LHIS

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My title doesn't quite describe it accurately, so i'm going to try and explain..
The horse in question manipulates it's jaw around, mouth open, tongue moving around the mouth, whilst the bottom jaw moves open and closed, and side to side. At a glance it looks like a yawn, but it isn't.
The horse started doing it recently, and the behaviour can go on for upwards of 10+ minutes at a time.
I have no idea what the cause is, and have never seen his behaviour before. Has anyone ever seen anything similar?
FYI - horse is in work, is fit & sound, teeth are fine (checked when this behaviour started).
 
Mostly when stood in stable, but has also been seen doing in being led to and from the field, or when being ridden but stationary. It's become like a 'default setting' if you know what I mean.
 
Might he be trying to ease discomfort from a sinus infection? Horses have massive sinuses in the skull and this type of movement sounds like it would open the eustachian canal to balance pressure - like we do when you need to "pop" your ears on a flight.
 
Shay said:
Might he be trying to ease discomfort from a sinus infection? Horses have massive sinuses in the skull and this type of movement sounds like it would open the eustachian canal to balance pressure - like we do when you need to "pop" your ears on a flight.
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Perhaps, that seems to make sense, would that present any other symptoms do you know?

ETA - just found this article - http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/horse-care/vet-advice/dealing-with-sinus-problems-64586
None of the symptoms this article suggests are present.

I did wonder if it could be stress related, like how we might clench our teeth or hold tension in our jaw, perhaps it is like a 'tick' in behaviour.
 
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Mine does something similar, i have a video i can show you so you can see if it is?

I have had it looked at too and its been put down to stress as he only seems to do it when he is very under pressure (as in just back from a stressful hack, the only horse in the stable and not happy about it or tied up when hes stressed)

I actually think it may be a form of windsucking for a horse that is used to eletric fence, thus can't crib to suck.
 
equi said:
Mine does something similar, i have a video i can show you so you can see if it is?

I have had it looked at too and its been put down to stress as he only seems to do it when he is very under pressure (as in just back from a stressful hack, the only horse in the stable and not happy about it or tied up when hes stressed)

I actually think it may be a form of windsucking for a horse that is used to eletric fence, thus can't crib to suck.
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Yes please I'd be interested to see it if you don't mind?
 
LHIS said:
My title doesn't quite describe it accurately, so i'm going to try and explain..
The horse in question manipulates it's jaw around, mouth open, tongue moving around the mouth, whilst the bottom jaw moves open and closed, and side to side. At a glance it looks like a yawn, but it isn't.
The horse started doing it recently, and the behaviour can go on for upwards of 10+ minutes at a time.
I have no idea what the cause is, and have never seen his behaviour before. Has anyone ever seen anything similar?

One of ours does this...and has done it for 10+ years with no ill effects. We call it his 'gurning' face. I once asked a top dressage rider at a clinic if they knew what could be the cause. They didn't but said one of their best horses also did it!
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LHIS said:
Gurning sums it up quite well actually! Any idea why they do it?
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None at all I'm afraid but the horse has always been healthy, happy and successful so...if he enjoys pulling faces it's fine by me - and none of our other horses has ever copied the habit. He seems to do it mainly when they're all resting and nothing exciting is happening - it seems to give him pleasure!
 
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