Strange leg lifting when tied up

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MsDingle

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I am thinking about buying a lovely mare that I have seen but she displays a rather odd behaviour when tied up. She lifts each front leg in turn, really high, and holds it there, almost as if holding it up to be picked out or to paw the ground but without the action of pawing.

She seems in no pain and her walk and trot are straight and with good action, so she is not lame.

Her owner said it is just a habit she has. Also, whilst her girth was being done up she sort of chomps her teeth as if she were grooming another horse or chewing bubble gum or something?!

Any reason for concern or should I trust it is just a habit?

Hot choc and marshmallows for all xx
 
My horse does the leg lifting trick too. She does it either to beg for food or when she's left alone tied up but really thinks she shouldn't be or if food is on the horizon and she wants it to hurry up! It's an endearing habit of hers and she's done it since she was 2. WRT the teeth gnashing, it could be that the horse is girthy and reacting generally to the sensation of the girth being tightened and/or a pain/discomfort response.
 
Dizz does the leg lifting when she wants attention/is bored.

I'd be interested in the action when doing the girth up though. Ticklish spot? Pain? Ulcers? Habit (but why started if a habit).

Are you going to have her vetted?
 
The owner said it had been a while since she had been ridden so that might explain the reaction to the girth.

Feel a bit reassured about the leg lifting. It was really odd, like a dog giving paw!

So no likely medical reason?
 
Leg lifting, probably not. Girthy-ness, not sure. Could be a crabby old mule generally or could be something else unseen. Could be a habit but like Mrs M says, habits generally develop for a reason. Any other unusual 'habits' to give you a clue?
 
MsDingle said:
I am thinking about buying a lovely mare that I have seen but she displays a rather odd behaviour when tied up. She lifts each front leg in turn, really high, and holds it there, almost as if holding it up to be picked out or to paw the ground but without the action of pawing.

She seems in no pain and her walk and trot are straight and with good action, so she is not lame.

Her owner said it is just a habit she has. Also, whilst her girth was being done up she sort of chomps her teeth as if she were grooming another horse or chewing bubble gum or something?!

Any reason for concern or should I trust it is just a habit?

Hot choc and marshmallows for all xx
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my horse is IDENTICAL to this :D there just special, although she has it perfected with her left leg, shes getting there with the right. she does it when tied up but especially when i put saddle on, bridle on, rugs on, its like anticipation :) and about the girth thing, she does it even when girth is hanging and i put my hand under her belly.
 
I wouldn't worry about the leg lifting, that's fine, my pone does it when eating, but I would worry about anything like you describe re girthing. Just get her vetted as per Mrs M said.
 
bumper said:
I wouldn't worry about the leg lifting, that's fine, my pone does it when eating, but I would worry about anything like you describe re girthing. Just get her vetted as per Mrs M said.
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Unfortunately a vetting will not be able to tell you if the horse has ulcers, which it may have. It could also just be that the nerve which runs very close to the skin surface in the girth area is particularly sensitive in this horse.
 
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