Sleepy? Hungry? Sick? The Surprising Reasons Horses Yawn
Does your horse yawn? Like people, horses sometimes appear to yawn. But it's
not entirely clear what's going on when your horse opens wide.
Both people and horses tend to yawn when there's a change in the state of
arousal. Waking up is a common time to yawn, but it can happen after a sudden
fright or other stimulation...even a pleasurable one.
Some experts think yawning is a symptom of pain or discomfort. But horses also
yawn when they are happy and quiet in their stalls, so it doesn't seem to be an
absolute indication of pain. But do be aware that some infrequent medical causes
of yawning include colic, jaw pain or ulcers. Liver disease causes ammonia to
build up in the blood. This can cause a variety neurological symptoms, including
yawning.
Horses often yawn after a massage or chiropractic treatment. It seems to be
associated with pleasure and the release of tension and stress.
Horses also yawn after holding its breath during physical or mental stress. Large
intakes of air re-oxygenate the brain which may have been deprived as oxygen
was reassigned to muscles needed to work.
Others have noticed that their horses may yawn near mealtime or after removing
the bridle (perhaps to stretch their jaw muscles). Some people think it's just a habit.
Yawning alone shouldn't be a cause for alarm. But if your horse seems to be
yawning more than usual or yawning is accompanied by any worrisome
symptoms, contact your vet. Be prepared for a horse colic emergency with our
free, veterinarian approved Horse Colic Preparedness Report. Learn to identify
and prevent common colic triggers, recognize the signs and symptoms of colic,
prepare an emergency plan, record vital information to assist your veterinarian
and ensure the best possible outcome for your horse.
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