Why Would a Horse Randomly Start Windsucking?

SS.89

SS.89

Well-Known Member
Joined
16 January 2011
Messages
227
Location
Northampton
Visit site
My 4 year old has literally in the last couple of weeks just started windsucking.

..... But he only does it on his leadrope !! Its costing me a fortune in leadropes as he's also chewing through them so I put it down to his teeth?
He last had them checked in september but he has been very nippy recently so I put it down to teething?
I do have the vet coming out tomorrow for his vaccinations so will check with him if he has any ideas.

I haven't noticed any other changes in him apart from his cheekiness -.-

But has anyone else's horse ever just started randomly windsucking?

SS x
 
All windsuckers start at some point, otherwise they wouldn't be windsuckers. I don't believe any of them do it 'randomly' though. Not enough turnout, ulcers, too much hard feed/not enough forage, can all contribute. Some people say they can copy other horses, but PF windsucks and none of my other horses have ever copied her.
 
One of my horses windsucks if its belly is empty and stressed simultaneously, if its hungry or stressed, no windsucking.

The other one 'randomly' started windsucking one day. I was mortified. But the next day it didn't do it any more and hasn't done it since. My vet said it was common.

Sorry, can't be of any more help.
 
Believe me if you knew toby you would see is not a very stressed horse lol, which is why I ruled it out straight away. If he was anymore laidback he'd fall over. But thanks for the replys guys. I'll double check with the vet tomorrow anyways :)

SS x
 
4 year old? Teeth? :)

Change the type of lead rope for a bit or put some yucky no chew stuff on them maybe?
 
Horse dont do it for no reason.
Stress
ulcers
boredom

when/how does he do it on your leadrope?
It could be a playfull thing but it if is just a naughty habit it needs to be stopped now so it doesnt becom permenant.
 
someone on another board tried handful of rennies twice a day. turned out horse was creating too much stomach acid and stomach hurt hence the windsucking to try and get rid of the discomfort-

how much hay/grass and turnout is your horse getting and what kind of hard feed? Could rule out if something not agreeing with him
 
Hi again everyone thanks for replying.
Asked the vert today and she went through the general questions ... has he had any recent changes to diet, environment, riding activity, turnout etc etc? To which the only change he has had is he is brought in slightly earlier as there is no grazing but as soon as he's in he has his haynet.
She asked if he had been scoped - which he was back in december. He is in pretty good condition aswell considering the time of year and hasn't got a any loss of appetite (or energy !!) So ulcers were ruled out.
I mentioned he only ever did it when tied up outside his stable or when tied up to wash his feet. He never does it when he has his haynet so she put it down to maybe slight boredom as he hasn't got anything to play with and also put it more down to the fact that he is teething like a good un' at the moment! He's very mouthy so it was what I suspected.

I just need to nip it in the bud now! Next time I see him do it .... he gets a nip on the nose.

SS x
 
I knew a 12 year old thoroughbred broodmare who would just stand and chew on lead ropes, tied up, being led in, in the trailer, but only lead ropes! She was daft as a brush though so we just put it down to immature behaviour.. :rolleyes: Hope he stops soon :) x
 
you said yourself they have no grass, perhaps he lacks fibre.

one of mine started the other day maybe because he'd eaten all the grass, so i put him back on 4 feeds of hay (every 4 hours through the day) and little at 9 pm, so he's ok now
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top