lifting top lip - can any one help please?

[Walder]

can any one tell me if its normal for a horse to lift its top lip up after eating anything (not grass) potential new horse does it everytime ive seen it eat either a treat or hard feed - puts her head right up in the air and lifts top lip for quite a while - im wondering if this could indicate her teeth need attention although owner says they have been done - thanks for advise x

 

[LauraBR]

I think he is having a good smell! That is what I always understood the top lip thing to be, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Walder]

thanks izt - ive got a panic on about just about anything the poor horse does at the moment as i havent parted with any money at the moment so the poor thing can hardly move without my head thinking OMG there's something wrong with her. I am hoping to get her back to my yard next week for a months trial x

 

[ruscara]

From your description, it's the 'flehmen' - a way of scenting that horses do when they meet new or interesting flavours or smells. I wouldn't worry

Does it look like this?

 

[jumpthemoon]

izt is right - my gelding was doing this at the straw the other day when I popped him in my friends mare's stable for a few minutes...

 

[Three]

It's called Flehman's or Flehman's Response (see here http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&&q=flehmen+response)

Nothing to worry about, especially if you're having a month trial.

ETA - Ooops Marius_Mum beat me to it!!

 

[Walder]

yes just like that! I have seen it many times before - but not so often in one horse - ****panic, panic, worry worry******

 

[Walder]

thanks every one - my mind is at rest on this one now! im sure there will be another worry by tomorrow so please look out for my posts and keep helping with your advise/answers!! thanks x x x

 

[Cobland]

My lot did it when i changed them from chaff to apple chaff. Angel still does it the odd time, i think its quite funny

 

[brighteyes]

Just don't start watching its hind legs whilst it is trotting about!!!!

 

[Hullabaloo]

My boy does it when you offer him those herb treats - he loves them.
Isn't it lucky we have horses - it gives us something to worry about. Have my fingers crossed for you the trial goes well.

 

[isabella]

my mare does it after a drink or when i put suntan cream on her nose

its when they smell something strange or different alot of the boys do it when a mare is in season

 

[lmholden]

If that's all you're worrying about with a horse on trial be very thankful!