dealing with destructive liveries?

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Jericho

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I have an arrangement with a girl that she can keep her shetland on my yard/ field if she helps me out with my 2 horses e.g. poor pciking, holiday cover. However her Shetland is very destructive and destroys any fencing / buildings / structures through constantly rubbing them (I have also posted in vet forum to try annd get some help re the itchiness - its not mites and dont think its allergies and lack of funds from owner means no medical analysis). The pony is now in a completely electrified piece of field which is fine for now but will be no good in winter as quite exposed and will feel quilty as my two will have access to the field and the stables as they wish. Any ideas as to what I can do? Has any other yard owners had to deal with destrcutive liveries? Or is your horse destrcutive and what do you do about it? Help pleeeassseeee. Feel cross that my yard is being wrecked but desperately sorry for the poor pony at same time.........
 
Elec fencing sounds like its the only way for this terror - it sounds like sweet itch to me but I'll go in vet and see what you say there.

If you elec fence next to but not touching a hedge, he'll still have the benefit of shelter from there.

To be honest I'd be a little worried about your situation, I wonder if you have a written agreement with them? And them not having funds to investigate it - are they insured? Be careful with the legal stuff.
 
Electric tape is probably going to be the only thing which is going to work. Preferably off of the mains if possible.

Also try Naf D-Itch, that's meant to be really good stuff.
 
Can you incorporate, within his electrified patch, a solid structure for him to have a good scratch ... as they would mutually do this if he was in Company .... perhaps a telegraph pole or a nice big tree??? Basically something that he cannot destruct
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I have got her to sign a contract laying out a few ground rules and T&Cs which include I have the right to call a vet and that I can give her notice to leave if it turns sour. She is very dedicated to her pony but obviously doesnt have the funds that would cover too many medical probs nor vet medical insurance ( I did make sure she got 3rd party though). I know we shouldnt buy horses if we know we cant cover costs - unfortunately this girl isnt my daughter and I sat down with her and her parents and explained the costs and risks with owning a pony. Difficult one, as you say?? I did say also say that she is responsible for all damages but.... Icant keep having my fences wrecked and patched up
 
To be honest, if your fencing and buildings aren't standing up to a shetland rubbing, then its inadequate!

Suggest you properly electrify all fences, as you are going to have to do this for bigger horses. All of our fencing is electrified as when you get a 16hh rubbing on it, not much stands up undamaged.
 
Well its post and rail fencing concreted in and tbh a shetland putting all its weight on something pushing back and forwards is quite a test for anything I think! My two have never bothered rubbing or testing the fencing so cant think that I would ever have needed to electrify all the fencing including the yard fencing especially as there are other people including children who are in and out of the yard.
 
does she know how much damage has been caused and how much it has cost to put right ? I was mortified when my boy caused damage to his stable started chewing and didnt stop one night having never done it before and did everything I could to put it right, coated everything in cribbox bought (more) toys .luckily livery yard very understanding and were more worried about what might have upset him.
 
I'd keep him where he is an out in the winter, shetlands are the hardiest breed, so unless you are very exposed, I really wouldn't worry about the shelter, altough would be good if you can put tape near a hedge or something to act as a wind break.

I have to keep my boy in bull pens if he was scratching. The only other thing that can be done is to stable him during the day and only let out when its properly dark if its the midges and not just a generally itchy pony.
 
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