Windsucking affects weight?

Crackajack

Crackajack

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Ok...I've taken on a 15HH welsh cob x :)

He is here with me in Malta.

Very very limited turnout...previous owners had lots of trouble with him but they never mentioned vice...very underweight!

I was wondering if him windsucking will mean it is harder to get him to put weight on/maintain weight & condition?

Sorry if this is a silly sounding question but i have never had a horse that windsucks?!

Also what are the best things to try to help him reduce windsucking - toys etc from the experience you guys have had?
 
Yes in many cases it can affect weight tremendously. My mare (who I have owned for 4 years now) is a bad windsucker. She always looks ribby despite having constant hay/grass and weight gain feeds and never puts on weight like the other horses. Fortunately for you, Welsh cobs can generally live on very little. To help mine I have to feed hay next to a fence so she has it next to her "fix" otherwise she will grab a mouthful then walk to the fence to windsuck for 5 mins and rarely actually eats.
Why the limited turnout? That isnt natural and it REALLY WONT HELP! Even turnout on concrete with piles of hay is better than confinement. I have to say my mare is SO much better when there is grass to graze, her windsucking time is greatly reduced. Best of luck with your boy - show us a photo please, we love Welsh Cobs!
 
My TB cribs if given a surface to do it on! It has never affected his weight - even when he had a post to do it on all day. :)
His need to do it is always reduced by a stimulating environment. If bored stood in he would do it all night in between mouthfuls of hay. Outside with plenty of room and grass he barely touches the posts.
 
My OH's horse is a windsucker, and he was FAT all winter until he had colic surgery (unrelated to his windsucking!!)
 
Our TB windsucks, dito the weight loss because it distracts her from her feed bucket.
I think i remember reading some research that suggested horses that windsuck are more likley to develop gastric ulcers which cause condition loss quickly and dull coat.

Often windsucking will subside with stress levels going down (for ours it was her coming of of racing and being out 24/7 - she doesnt cope well with being cooped up, she now rarley windsucks really)
And distractions of plenty of grass and dribble feeders and playfriends. Creosoting the fences also put her off (i imagine it tastes gross !)

Would also think weight-loss = teeth check..

:D xx
 
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