Box Walking

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ErinB

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Does anyone have any tips on stopping box walkers??
Just to say, the horse in question is a 35yr old pony who goes out all day long but comes in at night due to bad arthritis (and hates being out for long). Said pony is certainly not distressed at being in (we believe he picked up the habit off another horse when he was in Ireland before we had him) and will ram the gate down if not brought back in on time. It doesn't seem to have any negative affect on him but is just so awful to muck his stable out in the mornings. He will not touch toys with a bargepole and mirrors are not an option. He is currently bedded with straw as shaving were too expensive - we literally have to rebed EVERY day which is ridiculously expensive on shavings - and other bedding is not permitted at the yard we use. He has licks, he has plenty of hay/hard food and also hay replacer as his teeth are worn. This ALWAYS lasts until morning so he is never out of food. Just wondered if anyone had any tips as it is utterly back-breaking mucking out after him XX Erin.
ps He has rubber matting down but due to his arthritis needs a deep bed as well. :) :)
 
My arthritic girl is much better out 24/7. I also have a non-arthritic box walker/weaver and he's better out too. If you don't bring them in to feed them, they soon don't hang about by the gate desperate to come in.
 
Thanks for advice but it is not merely because of feeding - he HATES living out to the point of it it's raining he will refuse to leave the stable. And he will literally get tangled in the gate trying to get it - lol if he was left out 24/7 we would have a flattened fence :) He is stabled by vet recommendation (leading equine vets) and needs to be in. Also, please don't think me rude but I did ask for tips on box walking - not how to keep my horse. Best wishes :)
 
Thank you, but with all due respect I did ask for advice in a stable. As it is the pony IS stabled and I do not intend to change this. So please only comment if you have any tips for a STABLED horse/pony. My horses detest living out and I shall certainly not make them :) Many regards :)
 
I guess at his age not much is going to change, he sounds as if he is set in his ways and there will be little you can do other than to accept him for what he is, one thing that may help, if it is possible, would be to have an outside pen so the stable door is open and he can come and go as he wishes although he may make twice as much mess.

You say having a mirror is not an option, that would have been my first suggestion as I know they have worked for 2 horses belonging to friends, both loved the mirror and it just about stopped them box walking and stressing, they could be left alone once they had it put in the right place.
Can he actually see another horse? my box walker likes one each side of him so he can always see another from every angle without having to look over the door, boxes are in a barn so he can see over the walls, when he first came he was not great so I made several moves until he settled in the box he chose, if they are outside boxes could you try a grill between them or giving him a lower door so he can see out more easily, if he is small, mine now lives out 24/7 apart from the worst weather, he will fence walk at times, he absolutely cannot be left alone but as long as he has company and food he is fine, he wouldn't dare try and get out luckily.
 
Does he box walk in the same place/way ? Could you leave a track round clear of bedding? But still a deep bed in the middle or in a different area.
I know of one who box walks in a particular way so they just leave it clear of bedding so it doesn't get as dirty or as trashed.
 
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