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Post by sunflower on Jan 6, 2011 22:39:28 GMT 1
Im currently looking for my 4th horse but Im not having much luck. So would you buy a horse that windsucks?
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 6, 2011 22:42:48 GMT 1
personally no, the habit drives me out of my tree!
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Post by laurac on Jan 6, 2011 22:45:38 GMT 1
windsucking can be an indication of gastric ulcers, also windsuckers ruin their teeth, can be more prone to colic and the other thing to be aware of is that a lot of yards wont contemplate having a windsucker on their yard as livery owners complain thinking their horses will copy the vice, i own a windsucker and have had the phone put down on me in the past when enquiring about livery and then mentioning the windsucking So if i was you i would pass I wasnt told about my chaps windsucking from the dealers or his behavioural issues either for that matter
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Post by gordo on Jan 6, 2011 22:46:24 GMT 1
No, far too distressing to watch and hear. Also distructive to fencing!
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Post by sunflower on Jan 6, 2011 22:47:18 GMT 1
Thanks didnt think about liveries. Also would you buy a horse that weaves? I know Im going to have to make a compromise on something as horses arent perfect but not sure what.
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Post by laurac on Jan 6, 2011 22:50:23 GMT 1
you may find that potential yards wont be keen on a weaver either i'm afraid personally i believe windsucking & weaving are often signs of emotional stress in horses what type of horse are you looking for? maybe look further afield or be flexible on age / breed etc
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Post by cassiejane on Jan 6, 2011 22:50:34 GMT 1
Personally dont like weavers, it damages their joints, and suggests some other underlying behavioural or physical issues which could be a whole heap of problems. Windsucking - would agree with the other comments, personally I would rather buy a slightly older, younger or even smaller horse if you need to save some money.
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Post by bertie666 on Jan 6, 2011 22:50:45 GMT 1
can you have it living out? that would solve the weaving...... its normally boredom/stress related to yard situations.
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big e
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 2,055
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Post by big e on Jan 6, 2011 22:52:05 GMT 1
i think it depends on the horse, my friend has a windsucker, he lives out and windsucks on the fence posts. Shes had him 20 years and other than wearing down his teeth he has been the perfect horse for her.
I had a tb on loan that was a terrible weaver in the stable as she was shut in a tiny one 24/7 all winter. She lived out with me and i never saw her weave once, a lot depends on how the horse is managed.
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Post by 2 bays & a grey:D on Jan 6, 2011 23:11:52 GMT 1
I have a weaver and wouldn't buy another, but then I suppose somebody has to give these horses a good home and lets face it the 'vices' are man made. I have been isolated on yards and even kicked off one. Is distressing to watch her weave because I know she isn't happy, it has nothing to do with boredom, weaving is a desire to move, it can be brought on by stress and panic, or it can be done in a very soft manner, ie, slowly moving from side to side (again the desire to move but just not stressed with it). She is barefoot and her feet are really uneven and her legs are knackered. She has been a great little horse for hacking and I love her to bits, her psychological problems are to do with man, and I don't blame her for her habits. But to answer your question, no I wouldn't buy one unless I had my own place as finding a yard can be hell, even if the yard owner isn't bothered you can bet your bottom dollar the liveries won't be best pleased. I just put this down to them being clueless about horse psychology
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Post by jen1 on Jan 6, 2011 23:16:13 GMT 1
if i thoought my set up would help towards getting it less stressed and ulcers were no the culprit
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Post by Liz on Jan 7, 2011 1:35:53 GMT 1
Windsuckers do not grind down their teeth but crib biters do! I had a windsucker and he hooked his chin over the door and, well, swallowed fresh air! He may well have had some sort of gastric/stress problems as he was a rig and I'm sure he had a tough time before he came to me as he was in very poor condition. We more ort less overcame the problem by ensuring that when he was in overnight in the winter he ALWAYS had hay to mkunch on. He was prone to windsuck after his hard feed (pasture mix and beet) so I stayed with him until he started on his hay and then he was OK. He stayed fit, healthy and competing until he was 27 and died at 29 with pretty good teeth!
My friend who I kept the horse with was worried that all his hunters would copy my horse - they didn't!
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Post by jill on Jan 7, 2011 9:05:41 GMT 1
Tiny Tim (ex racer we acquired mid December) crib bites, and we suspect gastric ulcers from his racing days. I have made sure he always has forage to eat, and as soon as spring arrives (make that if!) he will go out with the herd and hopefully learn a new way of life. Meanwhile, like Liz says, I have noticed it is just after he has eaten his feed and if he is distracted or removed from his cribbing surface for a few seconds he moves on to do something else. As for buying one with the vice - it depends on how old he is and how ingrained the habit is - remove the cause and you may still be left with a habit which is hard to break. MTA I reckon windsucking is harder to deal with than cribbing - he doesn't need a surface or fence to do it, it can be done absolutely anywhere.
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Post by basilhorse on Jan 7, 2011 10:53:16 GMT 1
My ex-racer windsucks (doesn't crib-bite). He has been scoped for ulcers - none found. He lives out 24/7 with ad lib forage and he still does it.
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maislow
Grand Prix Poster
Posts: 1,815
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Post by maislow on Jan 7, 2011 10:54:55 GMT 1
Nope I think there are enough horses in the world to not buy one with a vice like that
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