Biting/Tearing/Rugs

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fuzzyp

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I rescued my gelding from a very young age and he has grown up with quite poor social skills, he is very passive(or stupid) and doesnt move to get out the way when his field mates kick or bite him. Luckily he is a big sturdy chap and seems to manage well but in the winter when he is rugged up one gelding in particular will rip his rugs to pieces within hours. Last winter we got through 11 new rugs - one in particluar lasting a grand total of 3 hours! The owner of the gelding that is doing this is not willing to put a muzzle on him, remove him or do anything to help
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We do not have the grazing at the yard to keep them seperate. I have seen it happen right in front of me and it is not agreesive behaviour, just fun that goes too far. Does anyone know of anything that would deter the biter? or should i start saving now for winter! LOL Thank you
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Try putting a very cheap canvas rug on top and mix cribox with raw chillies, washing up liquid and a dash of jeyes and coat the rug with several applications. Won't harm the other horse and may have him think twice about taking a mouthful of the rugs.

Alternatively find another yard with a less destructive horse.

Is it only your horse that gets his rugs trashed?
 
Mainly yes, although some of the others come in with the odd tear etc... they will turn round and boot the 'biter' though so he doesnt bother with them as much. Mine just stands there and lets him do it! Will try the second rug trick and the concoction...anything is worth a go as moving yards is not an option really.
Thanks
 
Final option then and this may not make you popular with the owner is if you catch him doing this, chase him away with a whip so he learns to associate ripping your horse's rug with a nasty experience.

Other option is if this horse is damaging other horse's rugs then to talk to the YO about the problem and explain how much it is costing you and the others to deal with this horse's damage.

I would start with my first option - hopefully after a few mouths of said mixture he will learn not to grab rugs.
 
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