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  Discussion on Horse swishes his tail and stomps back feet
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Member:
Fredy

Posted on Friday, Dec 6, 2002 - 8:42 pm:

Dr. O.
I have read that if a horse swishes his tail and allot and stomps his back feet, usally during eating time, as mine, does it's usally a sign of discomfort such as mild colic. It is now winter here in Colorado and in the mountains were we live, and he does this often it's not like there are fly's around. He drinks allot of water, because, when I feed him in the evening I spend at least 1-2 hours with him, I noticed that after he stomps his feet and swishes his tail he usally passes gas is this normal? Thanks, Sandy Mendez
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 7:33 am:

Hello Sandy,
I had a uncle one time...no..better not tell THAT story...but, I even know some horses, Arabs wouldn't you figure, that kick out just as they pass a lot of gas. As long as this is routine behavior I don't think you have a real problem here. If you carefully search our forums you will find other folks with similar reports.
DrO
Member:
Penner

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 1:22 pm:

I know this is kinda a silly question, but now that you mention it...

My Arab is one if the "gassiest" horses I have ever seen. This is the only Arab I have really known well (2.5 yrs), so I'm wondering, is that more common in Arabs??

He just eats Bermuda blend pellets & grass hay (same as all my other guys).

Don't laugh (at least not real hard), I'm serious.
Member:
Sross

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 8:33 pm:

We have a large percentage of Arabs at our barn, and I can't say that I've noticed them being any gassier than the other non-Arab horses at our barn. Now, we've got one old Saddlebred that must be the gassiest horse on the planet!
Member:
Sefiroth

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 8:50 pm:

My cousin had an Appy that was hilarious to ride with. When ever she tried to sit a trot on him at the beginning of a ride he'd pass gas everytime her butt smacked the saddle. Riding behind these two was a guarantee to fall out of the saddle laughing!
Member:
Juliem

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 9:27 pm:

Okaaay---let me tell you about my Saddlebred Arab cross. This guy can manufacture enough gas to propel him up a hill--and he's a big boy! Sometimes his manure comes out horizontally for about five feet before sucumbing to the law of gravity and falling to earth!
Member:
Paul303

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2002 - 11:04 pm:

You people should all post warning signs on your horse's rump's - - WARNING!!! CONTENTS HIGHLY FLAMMABLE!!! Just incase some smoker decides to light up in the area.....could save you from a nasty lawsuit.
Member:
Fredy

Posted on Tuesday, Dec 10, 2002 - 8:09 pm:

Dr. O,

In rebuttle to you answer, would any particular feed cause more gas than another? He is a paint 3 yrs old. I feed him stragety AX from purina mills which is a complete pelleted feed and horsemens edge which is a sweet feed also by purina, grass & alfalfa mix and alfalfa, normally what causes gas is that somthing is formenting in the intestines to cause this problem. He really only does the stomping and swishing of the tail when he eats, mainly his grain, but, he does pass some gas but not much at other times, but does not stomp his back feet? I don't notice it at all when I ride him though. Thank You, Sandy Mendez
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 - 6:49 am:

We really do not have any ideas, like in humans, about what feeds may increase and decrease gas Sandy. This would be trial and error. Considering flatulence in horses a problem is a bit like considering breathing a problem, it is an absolutely normal process. Concerning the extra information you include about your horses: many horses behave this way at feeding. They think they are protecting their feed and space by looking mean.
DrO
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