The Horses we want to buy

Question

Okay, the horses we want to buy are being great. I have been training the one and I have loped her, Jogged her, walked her, backed her, and turned her. She has great ground manners.

The other one, not so much. He nibbles my mom (he absolutely loves her) and when she taps his nose he will stop. He won't do it again until I hold him. He is my moms going to be horses anyway.

My question is, before we saddled him, after we saddled him, and when we took the saddle off, he did a coughing thing the whole time. We are bonding with him first (he is more senstive) so we haven't rode him yet. It's not cribbing...is it? He doesn't chew or rub his teeth. He will stomp his foot and it seems to make him cough. What is this and how should it be stopped? (we are getting a vet check and we are paying for the farrier to come. the owners will pay for vet. Farrier is cheap around here)

Answer 1

The other four are right but consider this.  He might be playing with you.  He may be hoping that you won't work him if you think something is wrong.  But yes have a vet check him out to make sure that there is nothing wrong with him.

Answer 2

no its not cribbing its just a habit, my horse throws her head up and kicks out every time we do that too. give them a slap in the stomach and they usually quit :)

good luck.

Answer 3

SCREAMING***************VET CHECK! nothing more to say

Answer 4

Make sure the vet does check out that coughing. It could be allergies, or something else. But something is causing that cough, and it needs to be diagnosed. Don't let the vet lightly pass it over. I have a horse that coughs and the vet diagnosed it with COPD. Several years ago I had to have a horse euthanized because he had emphysema.

Answer 5

Get this one vet checked. It could be a simple allergy to dust, hay etc or a more serious respiratory problem. Have his teeth checked and his respiratory tract scoped. It's not cribbing, which is when they suck air IN.