Started to wind suck on a haybar

[Hormonal Filly]

I’ve always put my mares hay in nets, but she really does yank at them and having an arthritic necked horse previously (as well as her getting stuck in a haynet twice) moved to a haybar. She eats lovely out of it, BUT has wind sucked on it since we put it in!

She’s never done it before, she comes in for 6 hours during the day and is extremely relaxed, isn’t the stressy type and there is always another in so she isn’t alone. My vet isn’t concerned and thinks it’s a habit..

Would you remove the haybar? Go back to nets?

 

[Barton Bounty]

I would, at least try it , has she ever windsucked on the door after a bit of hay

 

[sport horse]

Put the hay on the floor which then has the added bonus that the horse's neck is in the correct position. I have a yard of 20 horses and we never use a net, rack, haybar ec and rarely have any left overs!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would, at least try it , has she ever windsucked on the door after a bit of hay

While she was on box rest (February) she did start eating some of the wooden fence in her pen (but didn’t wind suck) almost looked like a bored thing. I guess it could have come from that.

Never seen her windsuck on the door, she doesn’t kick it, or seem stressed at all. Sounds crazy, but she does it more when it’s really tasty hay or I add some haylage!

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Put the hay on the floor which then has the added bonus that the horse's neck is in the correct position. I have a yard of 20 horses and we never use a net, rack, haybar ec and rarely have any left overs!

Will do this and remove it, worth a go. AThe haybar is quite high so perfect height for her to use to windsuck on it.

Will ask other liveries to notice if she starts wind sucking on the door!

 

[Barton Bounty]

While she was on box rest (February) she did start eating some of the wooden fence in her pen (but didn’t wind suck) almost looked like a bored thing. I guess it could have come from that.

Never seen her windsuck on the door, she doesn’t kick it, or seem stressed at all. Sounds crazy, but she does it more when it’s really tasty hay or I add some haylage!

I would put cribbox on the door , could try the haybar too or revert to nets.
I tried on the floor but BB just drags it into his bed and pees on it

 

[Hormonal Filly]

I would put cribbox on the door , could try the haybar too or revert to nets.
I tried on the floor but BB just drags it into his bed and pees on it

Thank you, I did think of cribbox although she doesn’t actually bite the haybar. She grabs a bit of hay, then pulls her neck into the haybar and gulps. probably not doing her neck any good, same as a haynet!

Yeah, I bet she’ll do the same without the haybar, maybe I’ll try a bug bucket. Ideally something low down to loosely contain the hay would be good.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Thank you, I did think of cribbox although she doesn’t actually bite the haybar. She grabs a bit of hay, then pulls her neck into the haybar and gulps. probably not doing her neck any good, same as a haynet!

Yeah, I bet she’ll do the same without the haybar, maybe I’ll try a bug bucket. Ideally something low down to loosely contain the hay would be good.

Id be more worried about her tummy and ulcers give a windsuck collar a try

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Haybar removed.. no ones seen any wind sucking all day so touch wood. Much better neck position eating from the floor.

Will mention to my vet about ulcers, wonder if it’s worth a scope as she went from box rest to moving to a busy yard.

 

[Gloi]

I'd definitely speak to the vet about scoping.

 

[splashgirl45]

Mine started wind sucking after she had her feed and we never knew why but after she was diagnosed with cushings and was put on prascend the wind sucking stopped completely so I think it was to do with being uncomfortable . I wouldn’t put any sort of collar on her, she is doing it for a reason ..

 

[Blanche]

I was going to suggest ulcers and please don’t put a collar on her.

 

[Birker2020]

I'd definitely speak to the vet about scoping.

I was just thinking of this.

 

[Kaylum]

Also is she getting enough chewable fibre. Try adding a very small amount of straw into her diet. Grazing on short grass may help with grass intake but its not good for chewing. But do ask your vet about this when mentioning ulcers. Most of ours have a small amount of straw added. But this must be done very gradually.

 

[Hormonal Filly]

Thank you all, I did remove the haybar over a month ago and not had any problems since. No other symptoms of ulcers but vet due to come out soon so will mention it.

@Kaylum she is on a big straw bed, she gets hay in her paddock and for a few hours when she comes in so always access to it.

 

[Goldenstar]

You need to get her scoped sooner rather than later