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Horse Behavior and Training

Sugar Yawn

Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Hi all
:
Now after you ready this you may say "Duh, obvious we know this" and I will feel a bit sheepish that I did not see this before haha
OR
It may be interesting...you decide :-)
:
Two of my horses get no feed whatsoever (one does as he problems keeping weight on) - the only 'extra' they get is an apple each cut into 4 pieces every few days. I have noticed that a minute or so after eating the apples they yawn quite dramatically! I have a theory that this could be induced by a sugar rush. My theory goes on to think that maybe horses who are fed regularly on various feeds (that usually have some form of sugar in them - even if the owner doesn't think so e.g. Mollichop etc.) may not display this as their systems are used to it.
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What do you think, am I talking nonsense? I've been watching this happen for a few weeks to make sure it's not a coincidence before I posted this!
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Please feel free to be as blunt as you like - I won't be offended!

dionne4210 - Denmark.
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed

Hi Vikki.
If you google ' why do animals yawn' you will find an article in the New Yorker- apparently it's a communication thing,
I couldn't find anything relating yawning to food.

Dionne

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Hi Dionne, yes I had considered the communication aspect as I have come across that a lot in horses and dogs; that's why it took me some time to be convinced it was related to giving apples - however, it is feasible that it is a yawn of appreciation and enjoyment rather than a chemically induced yawn from the sugar intake... mmm food for thought (no pun intended!)

Miriam (Holland&Germany)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed 550 lessons completed 600 lessons completed 650 lessons completed

Hi Vicci and all,
Great thoughts!
Apples contain fructose, which is easily available to the organism, so shortly after eating it, the horse will sense its effect. This may be pleasant, so they show their relaxation in yawning. You probably feed the apples in a relaxed situation, not during work...
An apple a day keeps the docter away!
My own experience with saccharose (normal sugar) is, that it gives my a rush of unpleasant energy, so I try to avoid it altogether.
I'm curious what others will add to this thread!
Miriam

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Interesting, my lot haven't had apples for a few weeks so I'll test that out today.
My horses yawn a lot when we relax together and it comes mainly with realization from what I'm thinking and working out lol.
Apples and camera ready to watch and learn ;)
Mel
x

Mel - Ramsgate UK
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed

Watched closely after apples, forgot the camera but 4 our 8 started yawning within minutes after eating the apples.

vicci - UK (North Wales)
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed

Ah interesting! Thanks for doing that Mel :-)