Windsucking on haynet

[Weemegs]

I was considering buying a pony I've known for a long time, but the catch is she's a windsucker. But not in the conventional way on the door or in the air she only does it on an empty hay net. She hasn't got ulcers or anything as of yet. I'm thinking that this windsucking could be easily managed - just don't leave an empty hay net in the stable or feed a different way. But I'm worried that if she exhibits this behaviour, is it likely in time she'll learn how to windsuck without the net being there? Or do horses not tend to do this?

 

[FfionWinnie]

How do you know she hasn't got ulcers? Personally I wouldn't feed in a haynet and provide adlib palatable hay. If she's a good eater the chances are she won't think about doing it when she's got hay in front of her. Don't understand why current owner hasn't done that tho. Perhaps they have and it didn't help. Worth finding that out.

 

[Weemegs]

How do you know she hasn't got ulcers? Personally I wouldn't feed in a haynet and provide adlib palatable hay. If she's a good eater the chances are she won't think about doing it when she's got hay in front of her. Don't understand why current owner hasn't done that tho. Perhaps they have and it didn't help. Worth finding that out.

Owner has had her scoped for them. Tbh she's got a lot of horses and doesn't seem to see windsucking as a problem as long as they're clear of ulcers. I help to look after them and am constantly saying not to leave hay nets in particular pony's stable but am not listened to. That's what I was hoping with a good diet and more turnout she would even think about it. Thank you!

 

[be positive]

She is actually cribbing, taking hold of something in order to gulp in air, windsucking is where they do it with nothing to take hold of so she may learn to do it without or use something else but equally taking away the haynet may stop it completely, until you try you really will not know, it seems odd that the owner has not either removed the net or ensured it is never empty.
In this case it may be due to her being hungry and making sure she has adlib forage could be the "cure"

 

[Sukistokes2]

If you like this horse and the wind sucking does not bother you and you think you can improve it and she fits in every other way, then why not buy? The worst that can happen is she continues to do so.

 

[Tyssandi]

I was considering buying a pony I've known for a long time, but the catch is she's a windsucker. But not in the conventional way on the door or in the air she only does it on an empty hay net. She hasn't got ulcers or anything as of yet. I'm thinking that this windsucking could be easily managed - just don't leave an empty hay net in the stable or feed a different way. But I'm worried that if she exhibits this behaviour, is it likely in time she'll learn how to windsuck without the net being there? Or do horses not tend to do this?

We had one here windsuck on the lead rope when tied up. The other one here windsucks and he has just turned 35, so windsucking would not turn me off if everything else was good and nice pony I would buy subject to vetting. Oh yes and in 35 years never had ulcers

 

[ironhorse]

Mine is a serious wind sucker - will even crib on fence posts when turned out.
We recently moved yards and they don't use haynets - they have home built haybars with a metal chew strip. He has tried to grab this a couple of times but doesn't like it for some reason. There's nothing else in the stable he can grab - he's got a grille on his door. He has stopped wind sucking unless I have to tie him up - even then he doesn't do it if he's got hay. I thought he might start box walking or weaving but this hasn't happened - he can be a bit fidgety if there's a lot going on or it's turnout time, but that's all.
He's also turned out from 8-4, and the fields have electric on top of the posts so he can't grab them to crib.
I wouldn't say he's cured but he seems happy and is not causing damage or irritation to the YOs!
Worth trying with loose hay or a hay bar. That said I wouldn't have another wind sucker, he has had episodes of colic in the past and I think the rocking action has contributed to some of his unsoundness issues.