Wind sucking. Would you buy if it was everything else you wanted?

IMO there are two types- the ones that suck away and are always 100% fine & OK, and never have problems..then there are the ones that always look poor, and are always prone to colic..and sometimes they just colic and colic and colic.. I also think that all windsuckers are more prone to colic if you change food too quickly or change their grass. I had two windsuckers that evented well to a good level , and they had no colic problems, and then I had another Windsucker that colicked so badly *only* when he found a way to windsuck- he was eventually PTS because of it- couldnt stop the windsucking, so couldnt stop the colic, and no, he didn't have ulcers.

But I think the problematic windsuckers are only a v. minor portion of them.

Some windsuckers have ulcers and some don't- ulcers are not necessarily the cause of windsucking.

I do think its a nasty vice and it also gives them an unfavourable topline- ( all the muscle will be underneath the neck- likely to have a HUGE underneck muscle ) and not the best muscle along the back and quarters.

Its a difficult one- my best ever horse was a windsucker but I've also had one that died from it, so I don't know wether I would buy another one.
 
I have had a few windsuckers, but I wouldn't ever own a cribber! Mine have all sucked when anxious or at feed times, not had a prob with underneck muscle on any of them. I would never consider it a minus unless, like OB says, they are prone to colic, and then I would steer clear!
 
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I have had a few windsuckers, but I wouldn't ever own a cribber!

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The first vet that saw the spooky pony thought he might have been a cribber beause of some wear on his teeth, but since he lives out now with buddies, I've never seen him do anything of the sort. What sort of bad experienes have you had with cribbers?
 
Yes ditto this Di, have found a really nice x race horse to look at, but he is so cheap i think it may just be worth the gamble, as he wouldnt owe me anything, he windsucks at feed times only.
 
I would be tempted then if he was a good price. I have had a few ex racers and have found the majority very genuine.
I had an ex advanced eventer on loan once that windsucked badly but was fabulous to ride and handle so figured he was free to do what he wanted in his spare time!!
Will obviously need to see pics when he arrives!
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depends if its for competing or selling, I have 2 windsuckers/cribbers both look fab, compete well (one was advanced, one young novice) and i have no problems other than wear on the teeth. It is irritating to start with and if you don't have your own yard some places don't like it but if one of mine wasn't sucking I would be seriously worried!
 
As well as health issues i'd say it depends if you're at livery or if you've got your own place. I know YOs who'd be very unlikely to keep a cribbing/wind-sucking horse on the yard and it's caused a lot of arguements at yards i've been on before..
 
OOps - not actually sure what the big difference is between windsuckers and cribbers!!!

We have one that wind-sucks ---No wear on teath, and competes at Intermediate/1* - and he is 14.2.

We use a collar to travel to events - just in case he gets too much gas in the stomach - but apart from that, he is absolutely fine, and the most talented individual you culd ever meet. Also has a very good top line!!!

Have been told that it depends on how successful the horse is. If it is good and talented, people overlook the odd vice, but if it is run-of-the -mill, they won't touch it!!!
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Don't know if that is true or not, but we have had plenty people wanting our pony who are not bothered!!
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no. i wouldnt even get in the car to look at a windsucker or cribber! even as cheap as chips they wont resell wel, and destroy stables fencing etc,

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I have just sold one, for a reasonable price and didn't have much of a problem getting rid of her! She windsucked when bored and eating eg. when in a bare paddock she would windsuck a lot, when there was lots of grass you would barely see her do it. Stopped completely with a collar on but I didn't see the point. She was in good condition (positively fat when I bought her) and had a lovely shiny coat and not too much muscle under her neck.

Certainly didn't seem to put buyers off
 
yep i would if it would do the job i want - very few seem to be able to! Had one before and it really wasnt a problem. he was a really talented genuine horse in every other way and sold really easy at a decent price as he was such a great horse.
 
Bought a mare last year who windsucks, well more like gulping in air. She was fine all summer and I had no prob but during winter she coliced so many times my vet bills were enormous and she ended up out of work. Would never consider having one who windsucked again after this as we nearly had to make a decision to pay £4000 surgery or have her PTS. It was awful and I wouldn't go there again, although before this I would have bought one. Now never!
 
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depends if its for competing or selling, I have 2 windsuckers/cribbers both look fab, compete well (one was advanced, one young novice) and i have no problems other than wear on the teeth. It is irritating to start with and if you don't have your own yard some places don't like it but if one of mine wasn't sucking I would be seriously worried!

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ditto, teeth wear was only prob with my mare, she always looked well and competed well. I really get annoyed with the anti-cribbing idea they 'all' destroy everything/look poor etc etc. I've known a few cribbers and they've all been fine and haven't destroyed anything, one was a pony who died last year at the age of 30-something. I think they're missing out on good horses because of some silly idea or experience of one. Each to their own, but thats my tuppence. I'd rather have a yard of talented cribbers that were what I wanted rather than settle for second best.
 
by bay horse (in sig) cribs...and we only bought him because he has never been prone to colic and doesnt have major wear on his teeth and was reasonably priced seeing as he is a fab showjumper.

i would buy a cribber/weaver/windsucker if they were what i wanted and they didnt have any obvious health problems. but i would NEVER buy one that was prone to colic...or i was planning on re-selling...but as we keep ours until they retire, i tend to not mind about vices as i dont sell on...

my other horse, a TB, is a weaver, and we got him cheap but he is a lovely horse...and our YO doesnt mind about us having a cribber AND a weaver
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haha

depends on a lot though.. xx
 
I wouldn't buy a sucker/cribber if it was a project to sell
However if the horse was proven at a good level of competition then yes I would consider buying provided it scoped clear for ulcers and had no colic history
 
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I wouldn't buy a sucker/cribber if it was a project to sell
However if the horse was proven at a good level of competition then yes I would consider buying provided it scoped clear for ulcers and had no colic history

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^^wot she said^^

Added to which I would also want to check that it would not get any insurance exclusions on it before I bought it.
 
No i wouldnt be buying him to sell on, and tbh for what i would be paying for him i wouldnt really be losing anything.

I dont insure my horses, so that side of it wouldnt bother me, i want something to event and he is straightforward with a super jump and has xc schooled etc.

I did actually have a cribber/windsucker years ago and it never caused any probs.

And by all accounts by what you guys say at the right price you can always sell on!

Watch this space, i will keep you informed lol!
 
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