Does anyone use hobbles??

K

kit279

Well-Known Member
Joined
31 January 2008
Messages
3,612
Visit site
My chestnut, former mummy's pet, has started to kick seven shades of cr*p out of my trailer when left on his own in there. He doesn't throw himself around and is a very good traveller and good to load etc. but he is quite clingy about his boyfriend and will stamp and kick if he is taken away and sometimes even when they're both in there. This is a new development, along with him really coming out of his shell generally, and stamping if I'm taking too long with tack or (god forbid) food..

I'd like to try and break the habit - father (vet) said he used to use hobbles on really determined kickers. Has anyone else used them for this? Do you use them on the front or back? Does it make the horse panic or fall over? Horse doesn't try to jump up on the tack lockers (yet) or get out over the partition. He just kicks to get your attention.

Anyone got any advice?

Edited to say - trailer is rear facing Equitrek.
 
A friend used to use hobbles on his Advanced event mare when she was left in the Lorry at events. Had them on the back legs & it worked a treat. She was very, very highly strung & didnt freak out.

I would give it a try - see if you can borrow a pair. We have a few pairs but they are used on dairy cows & are currently in use.

Edited to say - just put them on after you arrive but I think that goes without saying...
grin.gif
 
One of the SJ'ers round here used to hobble his horse when they arrived at a show, for the same reason as yours - it used to kick the crap out of the lorry.

Think they were made of leather with loads of padding on the inside of them, and some quick release mechanism so he said, though horse stood still as soon as they were on.
 
I got a new horse in May last year and every time I took him anywhere in the trailer he kicked and kicked and kicked. So much that he actually split his hoof front and back! Now I use hobbles on him, front and back, and he is fine. He seems to know that once they are on he cant move and so he just stands still. They are brilliant as otherwise I dont know what I would do!
 
My old boss in NZ used to hobble his best polo pony on the pony lines as if she was tied up she used to rear - so instead she was hobbled in grass reins... funny thing - lots of horses are hobbled in the southern hempisphere - id give it a go for sure!

If she is very sensitive - perhaps tubigrip her fetlocks as some can rub. - Just a thought
 
Oh yes! Hector, who is so easy in every other way, does it when he gets to a show, whether he's on his own or not. I got so paranoid about him damaging himself that I started using them (behind) and he's v settled in them. I don't always have to use them but they live in the lorry just in case!
mad.gif


The ones I've got are adjustable so that you can make them wider/narrower and are v padded. I've never had them on long enough to worry about them rubbing.
 
I posted ob here a while ago, as my horse was kicking the crap out of my lorry. There were several suggestions on how too try and stop him. None worked, until i tried hobbles.

I was very wary as my horse is a fuit loop, and thought he'd go mental in them, prob throw himself too the ground so something equally stupid.

He tries afew times too kick, then realises hes go them on again! Peace and quiet has been restored!!
grin.gif
 
I am sort of glad this post is up - kit279 sorry to sort of hijack!!
ooo.gif


But mine cow kicks the walls every feed time, it has started to chip the walls.
Had thought about hobbling him behind - but didnt know if it would freak him out?
smile.gif
 
Yes- not on current horse but a JA that I used to look after was a b****r on the lorry and used to wear them in front and behind - if he didnt cow kick he reared- was generally a cheeky monkey. We used leather hobbles and I made some fleece liners for them so they didnt mark. He got used to them very quickly.
Please don't use the nylon type as they won't break very easily and I have seen some nasty injuries from wearing them
crazy.gif
 
Chatter1 uses covering boots on her horse. He does look a bit of a retard travelling in 'special needs' boots but he has kicked the side out of a lorry before.
 
Lol TD, I dare not put it in NL... This kind of post attracts the ones that don't punctuate properly and that makes my blood pressure very high
grin.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Lol TD, I dare not put it in NL... This kind of post attracts the ones that don't punctuate properly and that makes my blood pressure very high
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Mine too.
mad.gif
But then everyone knows how cruel and heartless I am with my ponies so they wouldn't be surprised that I use them. Parelli anyone?
wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
*passes Baydale a spoon so she can stir a bit more*

[/ QUOTE ]

I can get into enough mischief while I'm off without your help thanks.
wink.gif
 
I feel your pain. I have a show mare who would kick the hell out of the lorry and we used them. Problem solved!
grin.gif


In the past I have also used an old pair of covering boots which worked really well because mare was suddenly unable tomove her legs at all!
grin.gif
smirk.gif
 
My horse travels fine but as soon as I drop the ramp anywhere he starts creating
mad.gif
, doesn't kick, but paws the ground and doesn't stop until either the ramp is put up or he is taken off. He is dragging all the rubber up off the floor.

Do you think hobbles would work for this, anyone
confused.gif
?
 
Have always wondered about trying hobbles on our pony - he paws for Britain as soon as you stop the lorry!!!

Until now we have put an extra strip of rubber across the front where he paws, so that he doesn't wreck the floor. Have always been nervous of hobbling in case he goes balistic - but from the posts above - might give it a try!!!

Only thing that worries me is the internal stress - (ie like windsucking or any other vice), are they just going to bottle it up inside, and behave worse when they get out!!!
shocked.gif
frown.gif
blush.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top