A rug shy pony!??

Fools Motto

Fools Motto

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I knew all wasn't well much earlier on in the year, but he had a fluffy coat, so no need for a rug really. We did put one on a few times, and once on, is totally fine. He's been clipped and rugged in the past apparently.
The art of putting it on, is, slowly slowly, no sudden movements or 'just throwing it on', more placing it on.

Well, today, I was taking off a fly rug on a neighbouring horse, and said rug shy horse freaked.. it wasn't really near, but could see it through the bars of the stables. A bit of an extreme reaction, he launched to the end of his box, and snorted, eyes on stalks!! Poor chap. Clearly had a fright.

So, what would you do now? Get him used to putting on and off daily just as a 'lesson', (he doesn't need any form of any rug right now), or wait til he is clipped and needs a turnout rug?
 
I'd be digging out an old summer sheet and popping it on daily for a short period.
Used to do this with the 2 and 3 yr olds in quiet times, so they got used to things being popped on, surcingles or rollers done up.
Worth some regular training, v slowly now, to build on later in the year :)
 
We start with a teatowel across their back, progressing slowly to a bath towel and then a light rug. Then we go back to the beginning and add a surcingle into the mix, followed by a fillet string. We usually do this in an open field with no restraint, somehow if they know they can get away they don't feel the need to. Never had a problem rugging any of ours, in fact the girls came in shivering and soaked back in the early 'spring' and although neither had seen a rug for around 5 years, we threw a fleece on each and we had no problems. Very proud mummy moment!
 
I’d do as above. Start with something small. I’d also wear it myself. I know it sounds odd but it gets them used to it flapping about without it affecting them, so I’d casually stand outside the box and put your towel/rug/cost on without looking at them and making it a big deal and carry on with your jobs, preferably around them.
It seems like an excellent opportunity for learninfbefore he actually needs a rug.
 
My sister's horse is a bit rug shy. He got tangled in his leg straps as a youngster (before we had him) and has always had to have the back leg straps cut out and just a fillet string. Now he lives out and is mostly unrugged, he has become slightly more nervous about being rugged. However he has to wear a fly rug in the summer as he gets tormented poor love, so I had to take baby steps when I put it on for the first time this year! Could you get him a fly rug so he is having it on/ off every day? I think that would be the best way of desensitising. Then just take things slowly.
 
we had this problem with a 18 month old who had not much handling we tried placing it slowly on and he use to freak after a few attempts we took him into the yard and just threw it over him all he did outside was jump not like in the stable were he was running around and bouncing off the walls now let's take rugs off and on in the field I suppose each horse is different have done it before on other horses as well after 35 yrs with them it's just sushing them out
 
Friend has a similar problem with her horse. Took it slowly putting a cotton summer sheet on and off a few times each day slowly building up the time she wore it in the stable. We choose a summer sheet as it wouldn't get her a static shock (which fleeces can do) or make a rustling noise as she is very noise sensitive. Then when she was happy wearing it in the stable then started to lead her around the yard wearing it and eventually lunged her in the school. Despite doing all this she then freaked the first time she had a turn out on so it was a question of repeating everything using the turnout.

It is possible that it is the movement of the rug being removed that frightened your pony but it is definitely worth persevering with ruggin
 
I'd be flapping and banging in and around his stable all the time. Horses get used to most things by repetition and by pussy footing around them we never really get them used to it. Lots of praise and no eye contact.
 
I'd just keep popping something light on every day, I wouldn't even bother doing it up & leaving it on. If his reaction is that extreme to what's happening next door I think I'd also et his eyes checked because it sounds like the sudden movement is the trigger rather than wearing a rug.
 
So, cotton sheet doesn't cause an issue AT ALL, but a lightweight turnout does (he flinches, and wants to scoot forward with his tail tucked down!)..better being untied to tied up. After a few slowly slowlys, he did start to relax, so i left it. Anyway, early days, something to work on!!
I even played 'throwing the rugs around' outside his stable, I'm sure he was thinking ''she's lost the plot'', but he didn't seem to mind, until I moved the big navy blue one, gave me a snort, then went back to sleep!!
 
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