Why Does She Hold Her Leg Up Whilst Eating?

tonitot

tonitot

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 February 2009
Messages
2,525
Location
Newmarket
Visit site
I have wondered for a while now why Ethel holds her leg up whilst eating her dinner. She's done it ever since I've had her, not sure if she did it when on the racing yard but I don't remember her ever doing it there. I wanted to know if there was a reason why she does it? She's never been taught to do, she just does.
 
My old loan horse, Ellie, used to do it too. My OH liked to think it was her saying thank you for her dinner! I think it was more to do with the fact she adored food and got impatient and excited about eating.
 
My last mare used to hold her front leg up some of the time while eating her feed. And she would occasionally paw hard a few times while eating it. I thought it might be when she got a good taste of the garlic powder I put in it like when we pull a face when we taste something sour!
 
My mare does it too. Holds it about chest height with her foreleg tucked under and switches from leg to leg. I like it, don't think there's much of a reason as to why though.
 
in the wild horses are constantly moving around to get food, so when we give them a bucket of food there is no need for them to move so the leg action is mimicing movement, its natural behavour. :)
 
Ethel also switches legs, holding it up chest high with it tucked up and occasionally pawing. She oly does it whilst she's eating though. It doesn't bother me at all, I was just wondering if there was a reason she does it :)
 
hannah28 said:
in the wild horses are constantly moving around to get food, so when we give them a bucket of food there is no need for them to move so the leg action is mimicing movement, its natural behavour. :)
Click to expand...

This is what I was going to say. They are used to grazing and moving to eat, rather than being stuck in one place.
 
hannah28 said:
in the wild horses are constantly moving around to get food, so when we give them a bucket of food there is no need for them to move so the leg action is mimicing movement, its natural behavour. :)
Click to expand...

oh right :) thats quite interesting. I thought there might have been a reason :)
 
I have seen many hold their legs up I think it is a sign of pleasure. It is mostly mares in our yard that holds their legs up
My horse also shuts his eyes!! and does not come up for breath!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top