Horse wheezing or screaming, why?

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Peepchick101

New member
During a foie gras protest in Chicago, this carriage horse came by, screaming all the way down the block and out of sight. The same horse was worked the next day/night and was still screaming... sounds painful.

If it helps, it was about 35 degrees out both nights. What would be causing this horse to make these sounds?

Thanks.

Here is a clip of the horse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z12LOOcQ-sc
 
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ElenaR

New member
Maybe he misses his stable mates? I dunno that's the only thing I can think of. I'm not very horse educated, though. I just know that's the sound my horse made when she missed her sister and wanted her outside with her.
 
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e:SeMeMeHeL:e

New member
Respritory problems, or it could be the heat, trying to get good sources of oxygen that wouldn't make it feel like it's burning!
EDIT
Oh now that I think about it...
It could be calling out to its herd mates. Horses are herd animals, not meant to be seperated, but they still are. But you should have called someone. You arent supposed to work horses at that temperature (we are talking celcius, right?)
 
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justacowgirl2004

New member
Sounds like the horse is looking for a buddy.. he is not screaming.. he is calling. Carriage horses usually rest in the same area, when they are just standing around for a little while with other horses, then leave, they will call out to the horses they have just left.
It is like having horses in a barn, you take one out and someone is gonna start hollering when they can't see each other anymore.
The horse in the video is not "screaming in pain". The horses there are watched closely for any type of abuse, sickness or lameness..the city WILL pull them off the streets if they show the least bit of distress.
It is Farenheit.. not Celsius..
 
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jamiem1992

New member
The horse could have respitory allergies. When a horse has those kind of allergies it sounds like they are wheezing when they are being worked. The horse could also have Heaves, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), or Small Airway Disease.
 
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GOODD

New member
Most likely respiratory problems. I don't know if the bearing rein is ever used in carriage work anymore (ties their head up to make them look fancy) but that can cause damage with what you described.

So...you didn't say anything to the driver? Call Animal Welfare? If you're going to protest foie gras I would assume you'd try to save an ill/injured horse as well.
 
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PeaBee

New member
Justacow has the answer. I just wanted to add that this is called a whinny. They come in different intensities and variations of sound.
Horse language.
 
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