I dont believe it :(

SatansLittleHelper

SatansLittleHelper

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Spent some time at the new field today with horse boys only to watch in horror as new horse cheerfully windsucks on the fence...!!!! :(
I know very little about windsucking...can anyone help..??? (He lives out 24/7)
I havent seen him doing this before but I have only had him 2 weeks..he has spent most on that in a field next to a mare that does nothing but crib, could it be learned behaviour???
 
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My experience is that they end up destroying the fence, we had two youngsters that windsucked in our field and we were having to repair the post and rail most days, we electrified the bit near the gate in the end this was the bit they prefered, we would paint cribox on the rails too which helps a bit, it can be a real pain as quite often its the top rail that gets damaged which makes it easy for the horses to escape and in our case onto a busy road, the field was 25 acres most of it post and rail which you have to check on a regular basis, my advice would be only put the horse in a field with electric fencing.
 
Is it a large field? How long have you had him? I am not sure it I really learned behaviour as I would think if the hors had enough food and stimulation (in the form of paddock mates, things going on etc) then it would have no reason to start this behaviour. My sister's horse does this a bit and I think a fair few do like the odd chew on a fence but not many actually start sucking I air.

I think someone once gave my sister a tip on here on how to help stop horses doing this. It's cheaper that buying some of the anti-crib potions you can buy. Essentially what you need to do is get a bucket, half fill with horse poo, top up with water and, with a large brush 'paint he mixture on the fence. It does work! You can also use certain unpleasant spices/chilli I believe!
 
It is not learned behaviour. It can be a symptom of ulcers, it can just be a habit. some horses only windsuck if stressed or after a meal. It's upto you depending on how severe it is whether you want to do anything about it or not. IME cribbing collars make no difference.
 
one of my mares does it, she is fine, the only thing I worry about are her teeth! I highly recommend not punishing the horse, or going overboard or even making out like you see them doing it. Instead you could perhaps do something with the fencing, either putting electric across the top - or if just wooden posts between electric fencing, put those pigeon spikes on top of them (plastic so won't hurt but make cribbing impossible) - be aware though, they will find anything to do it on. Mine has even done it on a foal ! She is only in a field with her best friend, and her boss, who she wouldn't dare do it to. she does it on the waterer though - where there's a will there's a way! I wouldn't worry too much, I think it bothers humans more than people. None of my other horses have ever learned it from her and they have been together for a very long time.
 
My understanding is that appart from perhaps wearing the teeth down, cribbing doesn't harm health. I would try and keep some wood available for him, as it will provide him with comfort. He may give up as he settles in
 
We had a horse where I used to work who was a very bad wind sucker. Even did it while he was turned out. He was much better when he was in work and kept stress free as possible. It may only be apparent because of the stress of the move and he may stop doing it once he feels at home. The previous owners maybe weren't aware of it if the horse only does it in a stressful situation. I wouldn't panic, and I understand that this is not a learned behaviour so don't worry about others copying.
 
my boy had bad ulcers when i got him, hed been starved for many months before he came to me and the windsucking must have been his only relief. he doesnt have ulcers now but still windsucks purely out of habit, more so after a meal. hes perfectly healthy apart from slight wearing on his teeth (can be a pain to keep condition on too but put that down to being a tb!). i wouldnt worry about it if your horse is happy and healthy, the noise is irritating but so i feel your pain!
 
Did you get him vetted they can often tell from his teeth if he cribs. Can be ulcers as already said. Using the cribox might stop him but doesn't solve the problem.
 
What are his teeth like at the moment, are they worn down quite a bit ? What's his age ? Once started windsucking is very difficult to stop and some dont even advocate trying as it causes more stress, leading to increased windsucking .
It doesnt sound like it was declared at selling, and i think it shouldve been declared as a vice. you should be able to get an idea by the wear on his teeth if its a recent thing or a chronic problem. fwiw ive seen horses do this, but only very occassionally, but also seen a horse spend almost their whole day hanging on at one post. I went to see a really good 10yo show jumper many years ago but chose not to buy as his teeth were so worn down, but he was snapped up at a good price by someone who felt as long as he did the job, what he did on his spare time was up to him. Did you get him vetted OP ?
 
Irritating habit but definitely not the end of the world. It has no ill effects on health but it does devalue the horse if you are considering selling on.

It is definitely a learned behaviour at times. I sold a horse, bought him back and it turns out he had become an established windsucker (probably due to stress). I have 9 stables and the only horse that developed it in my care was the one stabled right next to him. She was clearly copying him as neither were the type that had to grab something to windsuck, just arching their neck to do so.

Anti wind sucking devices need to be incredibly tight to be effective and they just look uncomfortable that tight. There is a collar that gives a small static shock, I think its called Barclays in Australia. I have never used it myself but they claim to be able to cure it in some cases if the habit is caught early. It's not an electric shock device.

I would assume that a horse that windsucks in a field would be quite an established windsucker in a stable. They really can pick it up over night though. My girl became obsessed with her new found "skill" and did it far more than the original windsucker in a matter of days. Wear on the teeth may be an indicator that the previous owners may have known about it
 
We have a horse at the yard that windsucks. Drove us all to distraction, especially his owner. he has wrecked fences, and his stable door. Until she put a cribbing collar on him. Cant remember the last time I saw or heard him do it!!
 
I knew a lady who used to give her boy rennies and tums tablets on a regular basis :) there are lots of proper antacid supplements for horse feed though, U Gard is one you might want to try him on to see if it helps cut his cribbing. It could just be the stress of the move and a temporary thing until he's fully settled in. I hope so anyway :) good luck!
 
Thanks for all of the replies...Im interested in the ulcers suggestion as he can get the hump when his girth is tightened..???
The vice wasnt mentioned in the advert or verbally, he wasnt vetted Im afraid as he wasnt very expensive (I know...bad move).
As long as he is ok then, although irritating, Im not going to stress too much about it. I will try to make life a little more interesting for him and also consult the vet about ulcers.
I love this forum..!!! :)
 
SatansLittleHelper said:
Thanks for all of the replies...Im interested in the ulcers suggestion as he can get the hump when his girth is tightened..???
The vice wasnt mentioned in the advert or verbally, he wasnt vetted Im afraid as he wasnt very expensive (I know...bad move).
As long as he is ok then, although irritating, Im not going to stress too much about it. I will try to make life a little more interesting for him and also consult the vet about ulcers.
I love this forum..!!! :)
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If you suspect ulcers (grumpiness when the girth is tightened is definitely a sign, as is explosive behaviour when ridden or indeed the opposite - lack of performance), why not try him on one of the supplements readily available rather than involving the vet straight off? Many people report improvements within a couple of weeks of starting them on them. I have just put my boy on Ulcer Calm by feedmark (started Saturday) and I honestly believe there is already some improvement in his performance. 2 measures a day is all that is required and they reccoemended that I feed one measure in a handfull of chaff shortly before riding or putting him in potentially stressful situations. My Friend uses Gastriaid by NAF and says that is pretty good too (looking at the ingredients I actually think it is better than the one I have just bought) and the Dengie one Digestive Plus or something also looks pretty good :)... also remove sugars and starch from his diet as much as possible...
 
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