Loves to chew

[SarahB]

Thanks to everyone for their help with my new horse 'problems'
I have posted before about biting but as I have got to know him better I have found that he likes to hold his teeth against something well anything really.
My coat, water containers, wheel barrow handle, stablemate handle etc etc.....
He seems obsessed with it and has become stroppy in the past but if you let him feel the pressure on his teeth he doesn't continue to bite down but relaxes and stands calmly holding the object in his mouth.
He has cribbed VERY occasionally on the fence only while tacking up but this doesn't seem to be a huge problem.
Could he have a problem with his teeth as biting on something seems to relieve his stress?
I have read that foals like to bite on things but as he is 6 maybe he should not do this anymore?
I now carry a rubber curry comb in my pocket to give him something to hold on to its almost as if he gets comfort from it;)
Dummies for horses next :D

[nat17]

Sarahb, you are proberly right about getting his teeth checked asap. Not that it is only that, as 'babys' like to chew and he could still teething i think. A friend has a 6 year old that loves to chew his lead rope on the way out and in to his field. Just always does it. My Podge is only 5 and he does like the old chew at something but he has his manners in order and has never bited or chewed me.
I would get his teeth checked as soon as you can:)

[SarahB]

Thanks Nat will get his teeth checked out.
Perhaps you could help with another odd thing?:)
He lengthens his neck holds his his mouth wide open like a yawn and sort of burps or grunts, if he was human it looks like a choking action but he does it when he hasn't just eaten. Well saying that he probably he has eaten 10 to 15 mins before!!!
He will repeat it 4 or 5 times then seems happy enough. Is this normal or something else to tell the vet?

[nat17]

What has he just eaten Sarahb?

[SarahB]

This morning it was extra whole carrots as I had called in to deliver more rations.But its usually his normal feed. (1/2 scoop mix plus chaff) that may be causing it. I dont chop veg incase of choke but he may still be struggling unless all horses do this?

[nat17]

I was only think maybe the hay was dusty or if he had a lot of chaff and needed it dampened. A gelding on my yard has been doing similar things for around an hour every morning as soon as he is turned out, but his is due to very dusty last years hay being fed in his stable. His sounds like a cough, every time he coughs he trumps too! Minnie has to have her chaff dampened or she blows at it and stuff and wangles her jaw round for a bit as if she getting the very last bit out from between her teeth!
But not sure if that could be his problem too, do you dampen down his feed?

[SarahB]

They get dry feed with a little soya oil on top so will try dampening it down a little more and see if it helps. Dust shouldn't be a problem as they are out 24/7 but feed and hay are very dry. I think I'd gag too.
Just read up on choke and he has no running nose thankfully but I will mention it to my vet just in case.
I sometimes have the same problem as that gelding how embarrasing:o :D :D

[Tootsie4U]

Hmm. Interesting. So he doesn't use his teeth to bite? Just to hold or feel things?

Do you know his past? Was he gelded late? (mouthiness is typical stallion behavior) Mine was and he NEEDS to chew on things when he's nervous. I never offer anything on myself or of myself and I caution you about doing so, but I let him mouth his lead or, like you said, a curry would do fine. I think its a security thing, like a baby sucking its thumb or an adult who bites his nails.

[tubby]

Sarah are you sure he's not windsucking as to do this they extend & arch the neck very much like someone choking . You can here a funny noise as they suck the air in , it is the same as cribbing only without needing to grip something between their teeth.

[Harry Hobbes]

Could he have a problem with his teeth as biting on something seems to relieve his stress?
SarahB,

Review Chapter 16 - Counter-Conditioning in Dr. Miller's Understanding The Ancient Secrets Of The Horses's Mind for a diagnosis of this behavior, the causes and remidies.

Best regards,
Harry

[virtuallyhorses]

Definitely get the teeth checked - he may have some points at the back that are poking him in the cheeks and he manages to relieve the pain by holding his jaws open - if this checks out ok a physio or chiro may be able to help out.


He lengthens his neck holds his his mouth wide open like a yawn and sort of burps or grunts, if he was human it looks like a choking action but he does it when he hasn't just eaten. Well saying that he probably he has eaten 10 to 15 mins before!!!
He will repeat it 4 or 5 times then seems happy enough. Is this normal or something else to tell the vet?

This is windsucking, if its just started tell the vet - ask if he\she can check for stomach ulcers, its thought that some windsuckers start because of ulcers - which is why they do it after eating.

See if you can add some limestone to his feed? (antacid for horses) .

- you could also try the following - introduce much more fibre to his diet - particularly lots of variety of fibre. So if you horse currently gets single hay i.e. timothy or alfalfa - get some meadow (mixed) hay as well and feed both (allowing free choice of both). Plus see if you can find some other fibrous stuff to munch on - willow or hazel twigs, carrots or other root vegetables.

[SarahB]

Thanks for all your posts.
Dampened food now for 2 days and I havn't seen him gag so maybe that was the problem. Will try some limestone if windsucking/cribbing continues. I have also heard of a study where they feed Rennies after the bucket feed to relive excess stomach acid thought to be a cause of the cribbing.
Dr Millers book still hasn't come I can't wait to read it when it finally gets here. I dont know if he was gelded late and someone suggested his negative behavior could be down to him being a RIG??? I think thats what they said. Anyway since I have been following Harrys advise with haltering and leading we seem to be getting along better
BFN:) :D

[Harry Hobbes]

What on Earth is a "RIG"?

[Tootsie4U]

Harry, you not knowing a horsey term! :eek: :eek:

A rig is a male horse who underwent the gelding procedure but one testicle was left behind. Be it because it hadn't decended or what have you....

[Harry Hobbes]

Aahhh!

"Short Cut"!

[tubby]

Harry what a lovely term, not heard that one before:D:D Was delighted once when a lady I knew said about a colt" Oh he just needs his pockets picke".

[Tootsie4U]

LOL!