05/03/2018
Recently, a few of my patients have been horses whose owners have noticed that they are windsucking more than usual and appear to be more stressed and showing signs usually associated with ulcers EGUS. Windsucking can have detrimental effects on the health of horses who display this behaviour. These include increased prevalence of dental abnormalities (if they do it whilst cribbing), gastric ulceration, musculoskeletal issues, poor body condition and colic.
Boredom, stress, habit and addiction are all possible courses of windsucking. Long spells in the stable with little or no exercise and mind stimulation can cause a horse to become stressed and so it windsucks to relieve the boredom. A high concentrate/low fibre diet increases stomach acidity leading to discomfort and sometimes EGUS. The resultant gulping of air produces a calming, painkilling endorphin release.
Bowen cannot and will not cure windsucking but it will help to relax and de stress your horse and so he/she will windsuck less. It will calm the stomach and relax any muscle tension in the poll, neck, shoulders, back and girth area.
The horses I have treated have shown a marked improvement in the tension in the muscles and are more relaxed in the stable and when ridden, resulting in them windsucking less.
Remember to ALWAYS seek your vets advice if you are at all worried about your horses condition, behaviour or if you are at all concerned that your horse could be suffering from EGUS
