AJ the rug wrecker!

[Nancykitt]

This year, Snoopy and Ozzy both had lovely brand new Weatherbeeta rugs with high necks - perfect for living out up here.

For some reason, AJ has started to incorporate rug-wrecking into play sessions. He starts with clamping his teeth on the tail flaps, which eventually results in the tail flaps becoming completely detached. Neither Snoopy nor Ozzy have tail flaps on their rugs now. Poor Snoopy has had it even worse as AJ has ripped the neck piece...Snoopy is currently sporting the 'burst sofa' look.
I have no idea what has caused this - AJ is nearly 17 and hasn't been anything like as destructive as this in the past. And there's no indication that the behaviour is seriously aggressive - it's always part of routine fooling about, with much closeness/general friendliness straight afterwards.

Has anyone else experience this - and, if so, is there a solution? The rugs will be going straight to the tip as soon as the weather warms up!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

Spraying something on the rugs can help, you'll get all sorts of suggestions as to what, so sift them out.

A friend borrowed a grazing muzzle from me for a month or so and that did the trick.with her big gelding.

 

[nutjob]

Has anyone else experience this - and, if so, is there a solution?

Yes. I've got 3 who do it. Once one started they all copied, the original horse who started it off isn't even here now. I just keep plenty of spares and do my own repairs. If one is beyond repair I cut it up and keep some of the material from the inside and out to repair the next lot of damaged rugs. I'm resigned to having to buy quite a few rugs. Once the tail flap is pulled off I don't replace it as its the main target. Same with fly hoods, I try to avoid the ones with the nose extension as that's a target as well.

Stormsure glue is great for rips and sticking on patches.

 

[Ceifer]

We had a pony do this when there wasn’t much grass about. Despite getting hay…

Livery’s were understandably annoyed and we ended up moving him in with the YO’s horses. We put cheap rain sheets over their turnouts and plastered the tail flaps with crib off. He did stop but tbh I’m not sure whether it was because the grass started to come through or whether the crib off worked.

 

[tristars]

Our rescue was dangerously on the edge of rug chomping, then stopped for some reason

Thank god!

 

[New Forests Rock]

We have an entire army of rug wreckers, mainly unrugged youngsters who think ripping off any part they can reach is great fun Fortunately non of the rugs are mega expensive, there is a yard supply of spare (pre-wrecked but wearable) rugs - and Chief is so taken that he actually HAS a rug on no-one else is allowed near him.