Windsucker

[Conneygirl]

As I am new to the forum I would to say hi to all members and I was hoping to find some help on the subject of W\S
After reading a number of posts I am drawn to the conclusion that W\S is a condition brought on from either 1 of 2 reasons
1 It’s a physical condition
Possibly brought on from a problem in the stomach which in turn leads to an excess build up of saliva in the horse’s mouth forcing the horse to suck/swallow to clear it
2 It’s a psychological condition
Thought to be brought on from boredom, missing a herd, not enough turn outs

Would that be the general consensus?

If the condition was physical what would be the tell tale signs ?
Should I check the mouth for to much saliva?
What else should I look for?

Will the condition affect the horses jumping/riding ability?
What are the long term effects of W\S ?

Regards
Finething

 

[Tia]

I think it is both to be honest. Starts with something physical and ends up being something psychological.

You can't miss a windsucker LOL!! They make the most god-awful noise and often do lots of damage to fences, stables etc. Horses with this one vice (accompanied by cribbing) are horses that I will not allow on any of my yards. I cannot bear Windsuckers.

Welcome to the forum by the way.

 

[horsegirl]

Hello,

I have never heard anything about it being too much saliva. Some people think it is caused by the horse trying to relieve pain from stomach problems (ulcers/indigestion) while others (like me) think it a habit originally developed from boredom and then it becomes an addiction. I compare it to a smoker having a ciggie after a meal. I know there has been some research regarding the feeding of antacids to reduce the windsucking but personally where people report results of a 200% decrease I find it difficult to believe their findings!!

Windsuckers do not do as much damage as they can suck without grabbing on to anything whereas cribbers need something to hold on to.

 

[Tia]

Incidentally, windsuckers and cribbers are VERY rare over here where I live. Most horses here are turned out 24/7 all year round - I firmly believe this has a lot to do with it.

 

[horsegirl]

me too!!

 

[samp]

I think crib biting is more manageable than windsucking. Crib biting you can paint surfaces and anything they can grab hold off. Windsucking on the otherhand is very difficult to handle and I would not touch a horse seen to windsuck.

I know an eventer that had an op to remove the muscles that they use to windsuck and in this case it worked. However I think the success rate is not all that

 

[Scarlett1980]

as horses only produce saliva when they chew but have no bile duct on their gall bladder - if the have limited access to fibre (grass, hay etc) their stomach ph drops and becomes very acidic. This can casue stomach ulcers so often they will chew wood, crib bite and wind suck to produce more saliva and relieve it.

I think it usually stems from this but by the time they are in a nice home with plenty of fibre it has become a habit.

 

[collie]

I would say windsucking is more in the head than anything else have'nt heard about saliva causing it, but it may be possible. Unlike some i dont mind a windsucker although i do admit it is bloody awfull noise and they can chew up the end of fence posts.

 

[MOOSET]

I can totally understand your point but I have a mare who "windsucks".

Ive had her since she was three and she appears to have come with the habit. We didnt spot it when we viewed her and I guess you could say I made a mistake but I only noticed only about and hour after we brought her home. I wanted her from the moment I saw her and she has proved to be a fantastic little mare.

She doesnt crib and grab hold of things or chew simply attempt to windsuck when in (no probs in the field) and no real noise. I put a miracle collar on her and its been on 12 years now with the collar she doesnt even attempt and will now only attempt occasionally when the collars off. Thus I am inclined to agree it may start as physical but turns to psycholgical.

I have spoken to other people about this point and have drawn a similar conclusion. My mare has given me years of pleasure she BSJA'd to 1.20m, Evented, Hunted was successful county showing as a youngster, she turns heads and has a lot of presence and now is a succsessful broadmare . In theese events she didnt put a foot wrong and doesnt elsewhere in the stable. The Farrier will happliy come and shoe her without me etc she is a legend at the vets they always ask me how she is doing when I call up.

It seems a bit in the current culture that people really focus on the traditioanl sort of vices such as cribing, weaving, box walking and windsucking. However, it seems that some people dont want a horse with theese classic voices but they are willing to put up with non loaders,bolters, bargers, stable smasher uppers, biters etc etc.

I think its taking a horse at face value...I would rather have my mare ten times over than a viceless horse that is not as well bred or has the same capabilties etc or something that demonstrates another type of vice.

I think it just depends on the type of horse and what you are looking for and what you are prepared to put up with.

 

[sloulou]

My old horse windsucked

I bought him age 7 - no windsucking - he developed the habit about 2 years later - in my opinion because he got really fit from reg hunting and competing, then we had terrible snow and he couldn't get out for age - we had the occasional precarious hack - but there wasn't much he could do. He got totally bored in the stable and started to windsuck to relieve the boredom (no other horses at the yard do it).

He is now 20 - The windsucking didn't affect his jumping or ability to be ridden. We did BE eventing and BSJA - he was great.

The Windsucking did affect his teeth and his health to some extent... He has had colic numerous times (which we think is related) and his teeth are worn down at the front - which already must make grazing more tricky - but will obviously make things worse as he gets older.

It is also a pain when you moving yards as some won't accept them if the windsuck.. Also, one yard I was at insisted on a collar - which doesn't work for him anyway - so that was annoying...

Having said that - he has just gone out on loan and is now a happy hacker - and still going strong.

 

[elliegirl12]

my throughbred mare windsucks and if you put anti cribbing stuff on the door she doesnt do it she only does it at feed times but she was raced and i think it is just a stress thing!