Roaring - what does it sound like?

[justingibbs]

I have been told by someone at my yard that they think my horse may be a roarer/ whistler. From the research i have done i don't think she is. She doesn't cough or tire easily and i can't even hear a whistle! She does snort alot during canter a can sometimes sound a little wheezie - could that be a sign?

 

[ExRacers]

Haven't actually heard a roarer - so no idea.

But when you say she snorts a lot during canter she could just be a 'high blower' - one of my TB's does this - it's like he's snorting down his nose with every stride of canter. This quite common & not a problem.

Maybe call the vet though if you are worried & have a chat.

 

[Bosworth]

if you buy this weeks horse and hound there is an article in there on roaring. Basically you will hear a roarer from a distance - when ever they have to breath heavily - hard exercise they will appear to be breathing really noisily - it is seriously obvious. They normally tire easily because of the lack of oxygen getting into their blood. if you think she is it would be worth getting the vet to endoscope her to establish for definite

 

[viola]

You will defintely know when you canter on a roaring horse - it sounds like very, very heavy breathing or, as someone once said about a horse I rode - it's like riding on a train! Some horses are louder than others but in general it's not something you would miss.

 

[debradley]

Hi had a pony that was a roarer. It's only really noticeable in canter. As the horse/pony exhales you get this what I can only explain as 'A Grunt' as the air passes over the paralysed vocal chord. The only other way I can describe it is my pony sounded like "When you put a piece of paper over a comb and blow on it, but a lower tone". Hope that helps. She didn't really tire too badly, but she did take a longer time to fitten up after winter.

 

[PapaFrita]

Roaring can be quite loud or, as you describe, just a bit wheezy if only a mild case. Then again, just because your horse sounds a bit wheezy, it doesn't necessarily mean she's a roarer.

 

[Gentle_Warrior]

I think my orse does this but only occassionaly and when the bit is in action. Should I be worried ?