Box-walking horse- bad habit or stress??

[tabbypt]

I got my new lad back in the summer. For background he's a 5 year old ex-racer. Raced only once in 2014. Had been through a couple of dealers in a relatively short period of time after leaving his trainer then was with the girl I bought him off for 6 months prior to me getting him.

He's generally a lovely lad and easy to work with, if a bit unaware of his size (he's 17h and doesn't really know where his feet are yet!). However he gets really bad separation anxiety and box walks like crazy . If the stable is big enough he will practically trot around it with his head on a serious angle. It wrecked his feet when he had shoes on and makes him very one sided to school. If you stop him doing it by tying him up he just stands there and goes to sleep! This makes me think it's more habit than serious stress. My horses live a slightly unorthodox lifestyle and are often loose on the yard with 3 or 4 others and lots of piles of haylage. He will often choose to walk into the stable and will box walk then, even if the stable door is wide open and he could be out on the yard munching with the others. I've seen him box walking in the field too (he literally walked a crop circle into the field) but that seems to happen only on summer evenings when he gets bothered by flies.

This is despite him having company all the time. He's currently in at night but in a very relaxed fashion. There are 2 stables next to each other on the yard, separated by a half wall and mesh so he has full sight of his companion. his stable has opening gates so it can be made completely open sided and even with all off this, i'll come down in the morning to find he's walked a perfect circle into his bedding! He chooses to be in the stable and box walk rather than have free access to the yard.

Any suggestions of how to stop him? I know i shouldn't let it but it drives me absolutely potty. I know i could just accept it and have a tiny amount of shavings on the rubber matting but he loves lying down and his rugs stink of wee then!

 

[JillA]

That is way too much energy to expend on just a habit, I would be checking for ulcers, either gastric or hind gut. There is evidence that a high percentage of racers have them, they spend long hours with no food in the system. Either speak to your vet or treat with an alternative regime: antacids (bicarb and omeprazole if you can get it) a mucous liner (coconut oil) and a probiotic to boost the bacteria. That sorted one of mine but he wasn't too bad, just grumpy and sore over his loins. There is a diagnostic test and some "kitchen sink" remedies on here http://equinenutritionnerd.com/2014...tions-for-stomach-ulcer-treatment-prevention/
I presume you can't leave him out, well rugged, for a few weeks?

 

[tabbypt]

Thanks for replying
He was out all summer until 2 weeks ago and although he was a bit skinny for a bit over the summer I just put that down to the stress of moving home etc. He's now lovely and fat with the shiniest coat you've ever seen and not typically ulcerish at all really- doesn't mind being brushed/ girthed etc. The only thing he's grumpy about is food really! He gets 12 hours plus of turnout a day and as i said free range access to the yard all night. He has ad lib haylage 24/7 (even in the field) and the field is huge anyway- 3 of them in 10acres or so. I've never seen a horse choose to go into a stable and box walk before!! To be honest he could quite easily be turned out as I have others who could keep the other one company in at night but I'm keen to try and figure out a way to stop him/ reduce it this season whilst i'm at home and can tinker with different ideas/ solutions as we'll all be moving next year for my job so the likelihood is he'll have to stay in over night then. So would like to try and fix it now if that makes any sense?

 

[chillipup]

I wonder if his box walking could be a learnt behaviour, just like some dogs kept in kennels for a long period, that even when out of that enviroment, will display the same behaviour, by running in circles? Perhaps your lad learnt this behaviour during his racing time? Perhaps he was indeed stressed at the time and box walking was the only way to show it, and now it has become habitual? especially as it sounds like you have a really good set up for him.

 

[tabbypt]

That's what I'm inclined to think, especially as he doesn't start stressing if you stop him do it. He will literally just stand there and go to sleep on the end of the rope. I know he could still be stressing internally but he certainly doesn't show it outwardly. I guess the question is how I can help him 'unlearn' it! I'm thinking of building a wall/ maze out of straw bales or possibly hanging tyres from the rafters to deter him. Yes he is rather spoilt really with his set up-I'm extremely lucky. But that's why I'm keen to find a solution this year whilst I've got space and can try a variety of set ups to see what works so that I can try and replicate it next year when we move.