horses with wry noses...

lassiesuca

lassiesuca

Well-Known Member
Joined
19 December 2010
Messages
279
Location
in the field!
Visit site
Which are not too severe; if a horse with a wry nose, has only a slightly disjointed nose, how manageable is it? How often would he need the dentist? Can he been ridden, if so, does he need a special bit/bridle? What about his diet, does it need adapting? The horse in question does not need specific surgery, as he can graze fine and it slightly above the muzzle, however wanted to know how manageable this is?

Thanks.
 
From the little I know about this condition I believe every case is unique. Some horses have a mild deformity and others more severe with teeth growing into the nasal cavity. I would suggest that you sought the advice of a vet who could see him in person.

It looks like Casper wont be able to take a nose band so being able to ride him would hinge on him being able to accept a bit - which might or might not be possible. I imagine he would also possibly have breathing difficulites when worked hard.

I think whoever takes on this lovely horse should take him on because he is a sweetie and give him a companion home and not take him on as a potential riding horse.
Has the sanctuary said anything about his suitability to ride?
 
hi

we had a foal born on our yard 4 yrs ago with a wry nose - he has had alot of dental treatment as the teeth at the bottom didnt meet, he is a big lad at 17hh now and struggle to get a headcollar or bridle to fit round nose as he has a wry nose and a roman nose! he is just being broken in now - so cant answer all questions about bitting etc - he is getting used to it - dentist said should be no reason he shouldnt accept it - although can never be ridden bitless as cant have nose pressure, and only loose cavesson.

he will have wind issues for fast work - you can hear him breathe across the field (when he standing still!!!!!!!) so fast work definately going to struggle getting enough air/noisy

We will see with him how much he can do - he is happy in the field if all else fails, the vet did say when born do you want him euthanised but the farmer who bred him said no - as long as he comfortable he can be a lawnmower. - Vet said alot of people wont give them a chance and just pts when born.

Its not genetic its just they lie funny in the womb and nose forms twisted.
 
Thanks for the reply!

I'm not too fussed whether I can ride him, in fact I'd happily have him and just give him lots of TLC! I've emailed them and aiming to go up and visit, I think he looks like a lovely boy and I'm sure suffered a lot of prejudice, and so young. My friend said they can be ridden, so it was just out of interest! If he can't thats not an issue, however as I'm not experienced in this field, it may be in his best interest to go to a home with someone who is more knowledgeable in this field!
 
kezimac said:
hi

we had a foal born on our yard 4 yrs ago with a wry nose - he has had alot of dental treatment as the teeth at the bottom didnt meet, he is a big lad at 17hh now and struggle to get a headcollar or bridle to fit round nose as he has a wry nose and a roman nose! he is just being broken in now - so cant answer all questions about bitting etc - he is getting used to it - dentist said should be no reason he shouldnt accept it - although can never be ridden bitless as cant have nose pressure, and only loose cavesson.

he will have wind issues for fast work - you can hear him breathe across the field (when he standing still!!!!!!!) so fast work definately going to struggle getting enough air/noisy

We will see with him how much he can do - he is happy in the field if all else fails, the vet did say when born do you want him euthanised but the farmer who bred him said no - as long as he comfortable he can be a lawnmower. - Vet said alot of people wont give them a chance and just pts when born.

Its not genetic its just they lie funny in the womb and nose forms twisted.
Click to expand...

Aw bless him! That's interesting, I thought it was a genetic disorder! Hope your boy does well! I think it'll be one of those where I will just have to find out!

Very sad to see these kind of things, just waiting for the sanctuary to get back to me. Just out of interest, how often do you need the vet/dentist each year for your boy? Does he need special any special medical care each year at all? I'm on a bit of budget, and if I can't give him the right care he needs, it really wouldn't be fair on him.

Thanks.
 
ok thanx for the piccy he is lovely :-) personally i wouldnt ride him, i think it would cause more problems. the nose needs to function i think it is a big risk putting something in his mouth and i also think he would panic if he found it difficult to swallow, breathe ect. i suppose you could keep his mind active with some groundwork? then again if he pulls hard on a head collar for some reason (horses will be horses) it could damage his nose. i think they can have surgery to correct it but not sure if its just done on foals?
 
Hi Binkymerlin, yes, I will do! Will see how it goes, need to get my budget sorted out first, but think this will be possible.

Having had a youngster for the past 2 years, I've become the groundwork queen, I'm slightly hooked on it if I'm honest; I really enjoy doing it and I used to be an avid dressage rider, and although I still am, I've actually learned to appreciate how fun working with horses from the ground is!

Need to talk it over and see what they say, there's plenty he can do to keep him active and perhaps doing liberty work with him would be an option!
x
 
Wry nose is normally related to fetal malposition in the womb, however a higher incidence in arabs and minature breeds suggests a genetic cause although there is no scientific evidence to support it.

It doesn't look too bad however he will need regular dentistry...probably at least every 6 months. Lateral jaw excursion will be limited to the convex side of the premolar arcade which will lead to abnormal wear of the teeth and shear mouth.

I personally would not try to ride him. Fitting him with a bit and noseband may prove difficult due to his mouth shape and potentially uncomfortable for him. He may also suffer from breathing problems, dyspnea etc depending on the severity of nasal septum deviation.

Surgery is only really available for weaned foals about 5-7 months old as they are still growing etc.

Sorry if that was a bit sciencey, can't think of another way to explain it!
 
Last edited:
Umbongo said:
Wry nose is normally related to fetal malposition in the womb, however a higher incidence in arabs and minature breeds suggests a genetic cause although there is no scientific evidence to support it.

It doesn't look too bad however he will need regular dentistry...probably at least every 6 months. Lateral jaw excursion will be limited to the convex side of the premolar arcade which will lead to abnormal wear of the teeth and shear mouth.

I personally would not try to ride him. Fitting him with a bit and noseband may prove difficult due to his mouth shape and potentially uncomfortable for him. He may also suffer from breathing problems, dyspnea etc depending on the severity of nasal septum deviation.

Surgery is only really available for weaned foals about 5-7 months old as they are still growing etc.

Sorry if that was a bit sciencey, can't think of another way to explain it!
Click to expand...

ha - the lad on my yard def not arab lol !!! he is WBxclydexTB !!!
He copes fine and dentist checks him every 6 months to make sure everything ok - he is happy with his mouth and he is accepting the bit fine. He does breathe loudly but it is just noisy rather than restrictive.
I would see if you could ask a dentists opinion on him - If he can cope with breathing fine and the bit wont obstruct anything you should be fine - George just needs regular checks.
 
kezimac said:
ha - the lad on my yard def not arab lol !!! he is WBxclydexTB !!!
He copes fine and dentist checks him every 6 months to make sure everything ok - he is happy with his mouth and he is accepting the bit fine. He does breathe loudly but it is just noisy rather than restrictive.
I would see if you could ask a dentists opinion on him - If he can cope with breathing fine and the bit wont obstruct anything you should be fine - George just needs regular checks.
Click to expand...

Probably from his position in the womb then. Obviously it depends on the individual horse, I have personally only seen one case of severe wry nose. If you are interested in him OP then I would ask a vet and a dentists opinion. The deviated septum (although may be only slight in his case) could prove to be restrictive, and may limit what ridden work he could do in the future eg. hard work/galloping etc. I have a slight deviated septum and find it very hard to run/cycle/any other hard exercise for any length of time as I am too short of breath all the time (also breathe quite loudly too).
 
Last edited:
I know this horse-he is an absolute sweetheart! Have never seen such good manners on a baby.
I looked after him with his owners until they had to sell.
Small world, only clicked on this link with him in mind.
You would be very lucky to have such a sweet lad.
 
binkymerlin said:
yes deffo there is allsorts you could do with him instead of riding bless him. i spose if you could custom a head collar so the nose part sits on the upper hard part of the nose and some how doesnt ride up into his eyes that would be brill. :-) found this very interesting.

http://horseandman.com/medical/wry-mouth-not-a-death-sentence/
Click to expand...

Thanks for that link binkymerlin.

I had never heard of a wry nose before - amazing.

To OP I hope that you can take on this horse, or if not you, that they find someone who can.
 
KVH said:
I know this horse-he is an absolute sweetheart! Have never seen such good manners on a baby.
I looked after him with his owners until they had to sell.
Small world, only clicked on this link with him in mind.
You would be very lucky to have such a sweet lad.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's cool but also brilliant, can you tell me more about this lovely fella? I understand he needs regular dentistry work done and also needs lots of attention. How hard was he to maintain? Did he need any special tack or headcollars? I understand he had surgery to correct the nose. So it's not severe.



Thanks to everyone for some insightful knowledge. I'm really stuck in this situation, I'm hoping to go and meet him and go from that. Will let you know.

All the best.
 
Small world eh!:)
Well tack wasn't an issue as obv not broken, though he was sold to my friends as 'capable of light work' ie schooling, hacking but obviously not competing or endurance etc. However I'm not sure that I'd choose to ride him, unless he'd been thoroughly checked over by vet and dentist and given the 'all clear' to do so!
IIRC the headcollar wasn't a problem if noseband done up loosely.
We used to call him Darth Vader bless him-his breathing is very nasal and quite loud.
But like I say, he was the most sweet natured, well behaved youngster I have ever met! He didn't put a foot wrong. Very quiet (besides breathing :D) and very affectionate and loving, would follow anyone passing his field and loved cuddles!
Let me know how it goes, would love to hear how he does if you decide to take him-please give him a forever home, he deserves it! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top