corinnematthews
Well-Known Member
I have a horse that wind sucks for England - but looks jolly well on it - and is lovely to ride, do etc. Why is it thought to be such a terrible vice?
wind sucking
- Thread starter corinnematthews
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WhiteHorseWendy
Well-Known Member
Because of the damage it causes to fences etc and teeth, it's thought to be linked to stomach ulcers and often believed to be 'contagious'.
corinnematthews
Well-Known Member
Rubbish to the contagious thing - I have an even younger horse satbled next to him - who is not intersted in his antics at all. Yes to the fence thing, lots of damage in the stable - but he does not wind suck in the field. As far as stumuch ulcers are concerned, as I say he looks very well, eats up and shows no sign of irritation.
Toby_Zaphod
Well-Known Member
You obviously have your own views on this vice & are not open to any other thoughts so I cannot see why you botherd to post?
corinnematthews
Well-Known Member
Excuse me - that was not my take on it! I agreed with the wrecking of stables / fences thing - I just wanted some more intelligent responses from the old sterio-types, because we all have been there!
Bay_Beasty
Well-Known Member
Stomach Ulcers are the usual cause of wind sucking. Its common in racehorses. Therefore its not catching as it is caused by the horses internal Digestive system. If it was me i would get his stomach checked for ulcers just on case.
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Rubbish to the contagious thing -
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry it's a proven fact that under certain circumstances other horses will pick up this vice, same as weaving. Your youngster probably ignore the horse as it is not stressed so feel no need to wind suck.
Wind sucking can build muscles that make working on an outline difficult for a horse, it really depends on how the suck (neck arched or neck dipped)
It can also supress the horses appetite (in the same way smoking does for a person) which can cause a drop in condition.
It has been linked with ctomach ulcers but I believe this is generally stress related where the wind sucking agggrevates and exsiting issue.
Some people find it distressing/irratating to watch, it does damages wood stable doors, fences posts etc.
So there 4 good reasons to put a collar on a horse that wond sucks, obviously they don't all apply to ever horse but the 2 wind suckers we have at our yard wear collars 24/7.
Rubbish to the contagious thing -
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry it's a proven fact that under certain circumstances other horses will pick up this vice, same as weaving. Your youngster probably ignore the horse as it is not stressed so feel no need to wind suck.
Wind sucking can build muscles that make working on an outline difficult for a horse, it really depends on how the suck (neck arched or neck dipped)
It can also supress the horses appetite (in the same way smoking does for a person) which can cause a drop in condition.
It has been linked with ctomach ulcers but I believe this is generally stress related where the wind sucking agggrevates and exsiting issue.
Some people find it distressing/irratating to watch, it does damages wood stable doors, fences posts etc.
So there 4 good reasons to put a collar on a horse that wond sucks, obviously they don't all apply to ever horse but the 2 wind suckers we have at our yard wear collars 24/7.
Honeypots
Well-Known Member
I've always thought windsucking was done without the aid of doors/gate/fencing etc.
I have a crib biter...he's into his teens and I imagine he's always done it so is not going to stop now although now its just a habit. I think putting a collar onwould be unfair and would likely just stress him. He has a session after every meal and thats about it. If he can't do it..ie when he's in the corral which is electric fencing then he doesn't do it. It doesn't bother him, but if he can do it he will.
He shares a field with 3 others who haven't copied him so far. I think thats a bit of an old wives tale personally. HOrses that appear to have copied are probably kept in a similar way and are doing it for the same reasons.. stress or pain usually.
I think its generally frowned upon beacause it usually indicates either a stressed horse or one that may be in pain...either way, if you were going to look at a horse to buy you generally wouldn't one like that.
It can also apparently make your horse more suseptable to colic episodes which obviously noone wants although my boy seems fine on that department too so far (fingers crossed..touches wood).
I have a crib biter...he's into his teens and I imagine he's always done it so is not going to stop now although now its just a habit. I think putting a collar onwould be unfair and would likely just stress him. He has a session after every meal and thats about it. If he can't do it..ie when he's in the corral which is electric fencing then he doesn't do it. It doesn't bother him, but if he can do it he will.
He shares a field with 3 others who haven't copied him so far. I think thats a bit of an old wives tale personally. HOrses that appear to have copied are probably kept in a similar way and are doing it for the same reasons.. stress or pain usually.
I think its generally frowned upon beacause it usually indicates either a stressed horse or one that may be in pain...either way, if you were going to look at a horse to buy you generally wouldn't one like that.
It can also apparently make your horse more suseptable to colic episodes which obviously noone wants although my boy seems fine on that department too so far (fingers crossed..touches wood).
kellyeaton
Well-Known Member
wind sucking his due to bordom or pain i have always been told yes it can cause stomach usclers. the best thing for it his ab lib hay and buy one of those necklaces so when he does suck ho does not take in the air!
chriscrogul
Well-Known Member
Honeypots.... I find it really irritating when people don't know the difference between windsucking and crib-biting!! Nice to see that you do!
My TB windsucks, never caused him any problems, has a massive appetite, looks well, and what he does in his own time is his his business!
If its done for pain or stress relief I think it's cruel to prevent them 'sucking.
And no, I don't believe that horses copy it.
My TB windsucks, never caused him any problems, has a massive appetite, looks well, and what he does in his own time is his his business!
If its done for pain or stress relief I think it's cruel to prevent them 'sucking.
And no, I don't believe that horses copy it.
Serephin
Well-Known Member
my horse cribs/windsucks - he is in very good condition, has a huge appetite and cause minimal damage.
research states that the vice releases endorphins in the brain, making the horse feel relaxed - my horse is a addict, he does it in the field as well - it was probably caused originally through excessive stabling and boredom, but now is an ingrained habit. He doesn't wear a collar as he can do it wiht the collar on no matter how tight it is.
it is not a contagious vice
research states that the vice releases endorphins in the brain, making the horse feel relaxed - my horse is a addict, he does it in the field as well - it was probably caused originally through excessive stabling and boredom, but now is an ingrained habit. He doesn't wear a collar as he can do it wiht the collar on no matter how tight it is.
it is not a contagious vice
Silverspring
Well-Known Member
"Wind sucking is the aspiration of air, done by the horse arching its neck and sucking in air. Some horses do this while holding onto something with their teeth; others do it unaided."
It's commonly known as wind sucking whether they bite down on something or not. I appreciate the cribbing might be the 'official term' but everyone I know call it wind sucking either way.
It's commonly known as wind sucking whether they bite down on something or not. I appreciate the cribbing might be the 'official term' but everyone I know call it wind sucking either way.
AnnaJ
Well-Known Member
Athena (TB) wind sucks and cribs as well. She has her own little pallet to do her cribing/wind sucking on. I do see a little weight loss during the winter as she tends to wind suck/crib most of the time. But I've managed to control her weight loss as I feed her twice a day and she has a hay net next to her pallet!
TBH I did try a collar on her, but it did absolutely nothing for her so I took it off.
TBH I did try a collar on her, but it did absolutely nothing for her so I took it off.
frostie1
Active Member
To say wind sucking is contageous suggests that one horse can catch it from another which is not true, however one watching will sometimes copy and start to windsuck as well I have a horse myself that windsucks and I certainly wouldnt put a young one opposite her I find it highly irratating and only put up with her as she is so good at her job! I keep a collar on her so she cant do it so much as many years ago I lost a horse through colic induced by this habit, I also have a weaver but I read something once that Paul Schockomoiler said, he inquired after a horse that he sold and the man said the bloody thing cribs and weaves, Mr S said but if its jumping well surely what it does on its own time is its own buissness!
china
Well-Known Member
i dont believe it is contagious but other horses can copy when they do it once they will do it again and again as when they windsuck. they let air into there suppusodly ucomfortable stomach and it releases endorfins. (happy hormones lol) so it makes them feel good. unfortunatly it can lead to stomach ulcurs and colic. if you look at your horses bottom teeth. they will be worn down at the front on an angle. it canot be stopped but u can control it by using a collar that sits round ears and under throat (kind of) it prevents them arching there neck and sucking.