windsucker next door-WWYD

MotherOfChickens

MotherOfChickens

MotherDucker
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So I know that these days people think that horses do not copy vices and that there are underlying physiological reasons why horses windsuck. But since I PTS my older horse a couple of weeks ago I am faced with putting my 4yo next to a chronic windsucker (my other horse was very laid back, had no worries he would copy).

4yo will only be coming in intermittantly in the summer. I could put him in another box and put old pony next door to windsucker but the stable is a better fit for the bigger 4yo (pony can't see over door). Also, at some point I'll have a rising 3yo who will have to go in that box on and off. The windsucker isn't mine and can't be moved. He does it alot-in the field, in the stable and for about 30mins solid after he's fed. I have ideas as to why but nothing will change there. The owner has 2 other horses who both do something approximating windsucking without actually gulping air back (ie will latch onto door/fence with top teeth etc), just not all the time.

stables are lovely, old brick ones with interconnecting, barred windows.

4yo is a native, non-stressy type and managed completely differently to stress-head WB. Am being silly right?
 
I wouldn't worry. One of mine does it, and the others haven't copied, neither did the foals he used to live with. Ours had had ulcers, which possibly caused it starting, (he did windsuck prior to us having him) but even though they have gone, he still does it. I have known a few windsuckers/cribbers over the years, and horses around them, including youngsters have never copied it.
 
I had various horses stabled next to my pony over the years and she is quite bad windsucker, especially after being fed, and none of the others ever copied her.
 
Doesn't worry me either really, being stabled next to box walkers, wind suckers, etc, etc, happens often.

None of mine have ever picked up a stable vice from other horse.
 
Mine was next to a windsucker and it caiused no trouble - except I can't stand the noise.
If you are worried could you put ply over the interconnecting bars so at least yours can only see the other one from the outside?
 
my horse is a windsucker and i always used to get made to put a collar on him in summer as people worried their youngsters would copy him. i secretly left the collar loose (he tried windsucking with it on anyway and just got sores and rub marks) and not one of those babies picked up the habit.
 
I think he will be ok, My horse was stabled opposite a windsucker last year and although he does now lick after treats and his feed he hasnt actually ever sucked/cribbed. I just pass it off as him being 'speshul'
 
My TB used to windsuck until we changed his routine and diet but can honestly say none of the others copied...if yours does which I doubt it is more likely to be feed/routine than copying, the noise though is really annoying!
 
One of my horses is a major windsucker and one of our horses is a youngster so I do understand why your concerned!
They have been stabled next door too each other now for 2 years approx and the baby has never shown any signs of trying to copy so id not worry too much.
 
One of my horses is a windsucker, he is with my other horse 24/7 and my other horse has never shown any signs of copying... There is a paddock full of weanlings and 2 yr olds next to mine and none of them have copied either.
Your horse will be fine :)
 
My rising 4 year old is stabled next to a welsh D who has only just started windsucking, My girl isnt bothered except he annoys her sometimes so she tells him off!! lol
 
Mine's been next to a windsucker stuck in most of the winter and he's been fine. He's more interested in eating. I was offered 2 stables and chose the one next to the windsucker because it has an open aspect to the back so my horse can see out across the fields - so he's not bored.
 
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