What exactly does broken wind mean and what causes it in a driving horse. l'm not even sure thats what it's called but was told thats it. lt's a horse driving that you can hear breath loudly and sounds raspy and like there laboring from pretty far away. ls this medical or just happens when heads are tucked to much. They don't seem to do it in roadster just pleasure. l was also told it's natural for an older horse but somehow that doesn't sound right to me.
Broken wind in driving
- Thread starter Relic
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I have heard the term throughout my life. I can't say that I 'know' what causes it, but would guess, based on experience, that some causes might include any kind of history of respiratory illness/distress(heaves, for instance)that might have scarred or otherwise had a permanent and lasting effect on a horse's respiratory system. Other causes might include a too-tightly adjusted throatlatch on a bridle(especially if combined with incorrect flexion, often seen in mini driving horses). In my personal opinion, this 'roaring' is likely to be indicative of some sort of restriction of a horse's breathing capacity, which I wouldn't view as a 'good' thing! I would surely want a qualified vet's statement that a horse was definitely NOT in any sort of pain/physical distress before I would ask such a horse to perform vigorously, for sure.
I would disagree with the notion that such is "common in older horses";can see no reason why this would be the case. If there was a problem all along, then yes, it might be WORSE with age, but otherwise, I know of no reason to 'expect' it because a horse ages. JMO.
I would disagree with the notion that such is "common in older horses";can see no reason why this would be the case. If there was a problem all along, then yes, it might be WORSE with age, but otherwise, I know of no reason to 'expect' it because a horse ages. JMO.
Minimor
Well-Known Member
"Broken wind" is actually heaves, with typical symptoms of coughing & difficulty in exhaling.
The condition you are describing is different; I believe this would be 'roaring'. I do not believe it should be considered "common" in older horses. I know a great many older driving horses that do not have any breathing problems. The worst case of roaring that I have seen was in a teenaged Morgan harness horse. The owner showed him in every class she could at every show she could get to for years; nothing wrong with that, except that in the end she didn't know when it was time to quit. The last year she showed the horse, in halter you wouldn't know there was anything wrong, but in driving....at the one Morgan show some spectators actually went to the judge between classes & demanded that he make that woman quit showing that horse in the show. He said he didn't have that authority, and as this was only a permit show there was no steward....though I'm not sure even a steward could have made that call.
This horse, when in harness, complete with tight overcheck, martingale & a ham fisted driver with a death grip on the lines, was wheezing so bad we all wondered how long he could keep going. In the obstacle driving class, where the driver was pulling on his mouth even more while trying to navigate the obstacles, the horse did actually stagger a few times--he truly was not getting enough air. I thought it was very, very sad.
I'm not a vet, but this is what I have learned about roaring: Roaring is a peralysis of one or both intrinsic muscles of the larynx. Normally this muscle draws the vocal fold & some cartilage (don't ask me the name of that one!) outward during inhalation. If one or both nerves do not work properly, this muscle does not draw the cartilage & vocal fold aside, and as air is inhaled it causes these structures to vibrate. (There is no noise when exhaling.) In severe cases it can cause difficulty in breathing. Most times only the left recurrent nerve is affected--something like 90% of the time it is on the left side only.
According to my vet book, the majority of cases are related to a recent lengthy respiratory infection such as strangles, pneumonia, rhinitis, etc. Some cases may be caused by injury, allergies, lead poisoning or even plant toxins. It is more common in geldings and stallions than in mares. Why have I looked all this up?? A couple years ago we had a stallion that we thought had become a roarer. He'd had a persistant respiratory infection, and was at times making a roaring sort of noise. In time, though, the problem went away; apparently it was just that he'd still had some congestion in his airways, and that was making the noises...once that was completely cleared up, his breathing became normal. THANK GOODNESS!
The condition you are describing is different; I believe this would be 'roaring'. I do not believe it should be considered "common" in older horses. I know a great many older driving horses that do not have any breathing problems. The worst case of roaring that I have seen was in a teenaged Morgan harness horse. The owner showed him in every class she could at every show she could get to for years; nothing wrong with that, except that in the end she didn't know when it was time to quit. The last year she showed the horse, in halter you wouldn't know there was anything wrong, but in driving....at the one Morgan show some spectators actually went to the judge between classes & demanded that he make that woman quit showing that horse in the show. He said he didn't have that authority, and as this was only a permit show there was no steward....though I'm not sure even a steward could have made that call.
This horse, when in harness, complete with tight overcheck, martingale & a ham fisted driver with a death grip on the lines, was wheezing so bad we all wondered how long he could keep going. In the obstacle driving class, where the driver was pulling on his mouth even more while trying to navigate the obstacles, the horse did actually stagger a few times--he truly was not getting enough air. I thought it was very, very sad.
I'm not a vet, but this is what I have learned about roaring: Roaring is a peralysis of one or both intrinsic muscles of the larynx. Normally this muscle draws the vocal fold & some cartilage (don't ask me the name of that one!) outward during inhalation. If one or both nerves do not work properly, this muscle does not draw the cartilage & vocal fold aside, and as air is inhaled it causes these structures to vibrate. (There is no noise when exhaling.) In severe cases it can cause difficulty in breathing. Most times only the left recurrent nerve is affected--something like 90% of the time it is on the left side only.
According to my vet book, the majority of cases are related to a recent lengthy respiratory infection such as strangles, pneumonia, rhinitis, etc. Some cases may be caused by injury, allergies, lead poisoning or even plant toxins. It is more common in geldings and stallions than in mares. Why have I looked all this up?? A couple years ago we had a stallion that we thought had become a roarer. He'd had a persistant respiratory infection, and was at times making a roaring sort of noise. In time, though, the problem went away; apparently it was just that he'd still had some congestion in his airways, and that was making the noises...once that was completely cleared up, his breathing became normal. THANK GOODNESS!
disneyhorse
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I call it "roaring" as well. It certainly is not desired in a performance class, as the horse's air intake is compromised. If I were a judge I would not place such a horse well, particularly those you can hear from a mile away!
I did have a Percheron that was a roarer... interestingly enough it was related to his mental stress while he was performing. I would NEVER own a horse that did that, I find it unattractive, unhealthy, and a huge ding if I showed in performance.
Andrea
I did have a Percheron that was a roarer... interestingly enough it was related to his mental stress while he was performing. I would NEVER own a horse that did that, I find it unattractive, unhealthy, and a huge ding if I showed in performance.
Andrea
Minimor
Well-Known Member
Forgot to say earlier--there is surgery that will correct roaring...the obstruction can be removed, & then the horse nno longer makes the noise or has breathing difficulties. I can't say how expensive that surgery would be, but it's apparently very effective.
GREENWOODMINIS
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The sound you may be hearing could be from a collapsed trachea...this is from people cranking their horses heads back...totally "OVERchecking" them to get the desired head set. My big soap box...this makes me crazy mad.
People just don't give the driving horses time to develope either...they RUSH, RUSH, RUSH...not giving the horse time to mature physically before asking them to be the big shining star...ahhhh, soap box again!
Here's the form follows function deal...some horses aren't made to have head sets like this. Ok, another soap box of mine...but, I'll save that for another post...but, the greed of some people don't give a flying flip...at the expense of the horse.
Most likely why the horse is not doing at roadster and, does it in pleasure is because the horse is more collected up in pleasure...they may be allowing the horse to nose out for the roadster thus he is getting the air he needs...this is what I am putting together here.
I know there are many other driving people out there that have been in a class and, you can hear it coming a mile away. If
I was the judge...I would not place that horse for anything. The horse can't get the proper amount of air...I cannot imagine what the horse is going through...although I have a good guess as, I almost drowned as a child...no air...is not pretty.
Anyway...IMO I would have the horse scoped...that way you know for sure whats up...there are other tests you can do as well...that a good Vet will guide you through I am sure.
It could be a something else totally...but, the Vet is the first place I would head.
good luck & hope this helps
Lis
p.s NO it is not natural older horse to be making these sounds.
People just don't give the driving horses time to develope either...they RUSH, RUSH, RUSH...not giving the horse time to mature physically before asking them to be the big shining star...ahhhh, soap box again!
Here's the form follows function deal...some horses aren't made to have head sets like this. Ok, another soap box of mine...but, I'll save that for another post...but, the greed of some people don't give a flying flip...at the expense of the horse.
Most likely why the horse is not doing at roadster and, does it in pleasure is because the horse is more collected up in pleasure...they may be allowing the horse to nose out for the roadster thus he is getting the air he needs...this is what I am putting together here.
I know there are many other driving people out there that have been in a class and, you can hear it coming a mile away. If
I was the judge...I would not place that horse for anything. The horse can't get the proper amount of air...I cannot imagine what the horse is going through...although I have a good guess as, I almost drowned as a child...no air...is not pretty.
Anyway...IMO I would have the horse scoped...that way you know for sure whats up...there are other tests you can do as well...that a good Vet will guide you through I am sure.
It could be a something else totally...but, the Vet is the first place I would head.
good luck & hope this helps
Lis
p.s NO it is not natural older horse to be making these sounds.
Charlotte
Well-Known Member
I am aware of two mini stallions whose driving careers were ended due to 'roaring' and it was the direct result of injury to the trachea. The injuries occured when the stallion would rear up over a gate or stall door while teasing a mare and come down on the neck.
Charlotte
Charlotte
Fred
Well-Known Member
I have a client whose horse just had surgery for this [large horse]. She told me
it cost her $3,000 dollars and the horse got an infection and it didnt take. Judges
unfortunately pin roarers I've seen it happen more than once and on the national
level too! Linda B
I thought you were going to answer the question I have about my driving gelding. Every time we drive he breaks wind for almost the entire first two laps. I know it must be a relief to him but it sure makes the class start out on a sour note.
Crossbuck Farms
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My gelding farts alot.
while driving.
GREENWOODMINIS
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Al B...
that is to FUNNY
REO
Well-Known Member
Al...........LMAO!!!
Kendra
Well-Known Member
Al - I had a saddle horse like that ... any time he trotted!
Relic - the horse I'm pretty sure you're referring to is a roarer. His larynx was damaged after he had a chronic sinus infection that was finally cleared up with surgery. Now it's more of a stress thing, he doesn't do it in roadster cause he likes roadster, but he's not such a fan of pleasure so he roars then. I know they've discussed the surgery for him, and if he started doing it again in roadster as well, I think they would go ahead with it.
Remember my mom's crazy Dagwood? He wheezes in harness too, but I think that's just because putting a harness on him causes him to lose his brain. We solved the problem by not driving him any more!
Relic - the horse I'm pretty sure you're referring to is a roarer. His larynx was damaged after he had a chronic sinus infection that was finally cleared up with surgery. Now it's more of a stress thing, he doesn't do it in roadster cause he likes roadster, but he's not such a fan of pleasure so he roars then. I know they've discussed the surgery for him, and if he started doing it again in roadster as well, I think they would go ahead with it.
Remember my mom's crazy Dagwood? He wheezes in harness too, but I think that's just because putting a harness on him causes him to lose his brain. We solved the problem by not driving him any more!
Jill
Aspiring Cowgirl
I have to say that between what I thought just reading this thread's title, and another one on the back porch that went "she touched it she touched it", I have to say I need to go back to grade school so I can giggle and not feel so totally immature.
