Horse grunting

[lucypally]

My new loan mare is making odd noises every now and then when we hack out. Lots of grunting almost sounds like she wants to burp. Used to ride another mare that used to do this. Any ideas what it could be.

tHANKS

[lucypally]

forgot to add had her back teeth saddle etc checked.

[KoLaTo]

The only conclusion i/my vets/physio/chiropractor etc etc came to is a release of stress/tension/excitement.

My lad does it every ride within the first 10mins, he goes 'urgh urgh urgh urgh' you get the picture? Quite embarrasing travelling up the lane with a grunting pony........Then sometimes a sneeze, snort and sometimes a cough and thats it, has done it for the last 3 yrs pretty much every ride. I have had all the imaginable checks under the sun including expensive full blood works and there is absolutely nothing wrong with him.

So conclusion is he may be hiding his excitement/stress/tension as he gets going then after he has settled he feels able to let it out.

I have to add at this point that at no time do i put him under stress if i can help it, aside from when i am hanging on sideways when he is bolting.........another one of his hidden talents, its just the way he is made.

[shan]

Yep, mine does it too - I first heard her do it when she was lying down in her stable one afternoon and it was like a series of big squeaky sighs, frightened me to death! I stayed in the stable with her listening to her breathing for ages! But she does it at various times and I think it's a release / relax sign for her.

[nich]

Brio does it after urinating, mainly under saddle. I have been told its a releasing pressure thing.

[lucypally]

took Ginnie out for a ride yesterday. From what I can work out she does it after she has been worried about something. Like Kalato said almost like letting go of the stress. Will keep you all

Thanks