Windsucking....

[Scarlett]

guys...


theres a pony on my yard who windsucks constantly - he does it in his stable at night and when out in the field during the day he is vary rarely found eating and more likely to be standing at the fence windsucking. He wears a collar and this doesnt seem to prevent anything...

the girl who shares him was asking me for advice last night but I have never had a windsucker so wasn't of much use!

is there any truth in the things I have read previoulsy about how it is a digestive issue and adding/removing things in feed can help? has anyone done this and had good results?

any suggestions welcome - thanks....

 

[PapaFrita]

Coligone is very much recommended for horses that windsuck. PF windsucks, but isn't as bad as the pony you describe.

 

[Scarlett]

thanks PF...

excuse my ignorance but what is Coligone and what does it do?

 

[PapaFrita]

Basically it's an antacid (I think) although I know there's more to it than that! H's_mum on the forum makes it and several other people here use it too. If you do a Google search I'm sure you'll find the website with proper information

 

[sloulou]

Have you seen this thread about windsucking?

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showflat.php/Cat/0/Number/1687194/an/0/page/0#1687194

 

[Scarlett]

thansk for that - will look thorough and see if anything may help...

cheers!

 

[XmisshorsestyleX]

Rennie Tablets, i swear by them. Made massive difference to my old pony!

 

[collie]

I have a horse that wind sucks. He is a terific horse. I am not sure but i think it is a comfort thing kind of like a drug to them. Does not affect the horse which performs well. Some yards wont let windsuckers in as they think it is a habit that can be passed on [i think that is a load of c**p]. We have not given or got the horse to wear anything. I would just leave it be as it is in their heads. As long as he can do the job you have him for he will be fine.

 

[sade1986]

I think most stable vices are like a drug to them, something to do with the production of a hormone or something but i can't quite remember what, which must 'satisfy' the receptors in the brain. There is apparently a genetic factors which can effect the exibition of vices due to the number of receptors for these hormones in the brain. And i don't think that horses will copy others who practice this behaviour.