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  Discussion on Why does horse make this noise?
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Member:
Danny

Posted on Thursday, Jan 22, 2004 - 9:02 pm:

An owner of a horse boarded at the barn tells us that her horse grunts at her when she enters his stall. If she looks at him when he is in his stall(she is on the outside)he grunts at her also. He never puts his ears back or acts cross or ill behaved in any way. What does this grunting mean?

Thanks...Deb
Member:
Gillb

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 3:56 am:

Sounds to me like this horse may be windsucking - which is a vice some horses pick up when stabled through boredom or by watching another horse do it. They are sucking in and swallowing air. Usually they do it with their teeth on a solid object like a stable door, but some can do it without.

Ask the owner to watch the horse's neck when he grunts, does he look like he is swallowing or straining his neck?
Member:
Annes

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 10:55 am:

I have a 2 1/2 yr. old TWH that grunts. He only does it when he is in his stall and I believe he does it when he wants my attention. It happens when: (1) he has finished eating and wants out of his stall or (2) it is time for his treat. I think he just wants me to notice him. I think it is cute when the "talks" to me like that. (I have a TB that does windsuck sometimes when he eats but it doesn't sound like that to me.)
Member:
Danny

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 4:52 pm:

This horse is not wind sucking. He doesn't display any of the behavior you mentioned. He also has no vices. The noise he makes sounds kind of like a pig's grunt. He only does it once(one little quiet grunt under his breath). Sometimes when she looks in his stall and talks to him. Sometimes when she goes in his stall to do stuff like move him over to clean the stall, etc. I thought maybe it was because he didn't like the woman. He never pins his ears, or turns his butt to her. I can tell he is trying to make a statement about something though. I just don't know what it is. It makes me feel better that maybe it is a sign of affection or impaience to do something. Is there a site on the internet that anyone knows about that discusses the language of the horse?

Thanks again...Deb
Member:
Dommay

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 5:07 pm:

HI,
This does not sound like a problem to me at all. My boys do this to me when they see me coming to greet them. Sort of like a "hey there" grunt!
I wish I could play a video clip on here to let you hear them!
Dom
Member:
Christos

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 6:39 pm:

Danny,
I think the grunt means "grain" or "more grain" or "apple".
Member:
Christos

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 6:42 pm:

Gill,
Can a horse suck wind without grabbing with the upper teeth or supporting the lower jaw? I have never seen that.
Member:
Danny

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 6:46 pm:

Christos,

You made me laugh! Thanks for the chuckle!

Deb

PS: I'm still laughing
Member:
Neezie

Posted on Friday, Jan 23, 2004 - 6:49 pm:

Hi

One of my horses 'clucks' when he isnt getting enough attention. If I am grooming another horse outside his stable he 'clucks' two or three times in quick succession at least thats what we call it. It is actually like the sound of swallowing without any food going down. This is the only time he does it. He is not swallowing air or arching his neck definitely not windsucking. He also bends his neck and twists his head skywards when you have walked past his box a few times without saying 'Hi' this means he wants a hug and if you do give him one he wraps his neck around you like a snake and hugs back - really!!! He is forever curious and a real contortionist twisting around to check out a tail bandage, brushing boots (he even lifts his hind legs up and twists his neck round for a good look at his boots) and is a real pleasure and delight to own.

And for the record I am a pragmatic down to earth horsewoman for thirty odd years who is fairly no nonsense but this horse has amazed me with his level of communication, need for pampering and human contact. He is a huge show off, completely spoiled, only does as much as he has to at home but the minute he is in the show ring its like 'camera' 'action and he switches on and he positively dazzles with charisma. We are so lucky to have him.

Oooops - sorry this post has turned into a 'why i love my horse' outpouring!!!!
Member:
Gillb

Posted on Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 - 4:12 am:

Yes Christos, I've seen a few horses do it standing in the middle of a field. These are known windsuckers in the stable so have obviously found a way of doing it without the jaw support! They kind of arch their necks and tuck their heads in and gulp the air.
Member:
Christos

Posted on Saturday, Jan 24, 2004 - 11:38 am:

Some professional windsuckers... I thought they couldn't do that.
Thanks, Gill.
Member:
Cowgrl

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 31, 2004 - 12:53 pm:

Hi Neezie,
That's okay, you can go on about how you love your horse. It's a pleasure to read and he sounds like a real character. I have one like that who is similar only not quite as animated. WooDrOw loves to play with things if you leave it around where he can reach it, gloves, jackets, handles of manure forks, etc. He'll pick them up then DrOp them on the floor and then he gets a worried look that I'll be displeased and he tries to pick it up to put it back where it was. He's so funny. I feel very fortunate to have him.

Holly
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