Door banging

[Ninfapaola]

Background: Early March took Max and Tilly out of the larger field (so it can be used for hay) and put them in the smaller field (3 acres) albeit it doesn't have much grass on so they are supplemented with hay.

They are brought in at night and given a small feed plus hay at about 8pm and again at midnight;
and if you saw the size of them they are doing quite well from it!

Problem: Usually at around 2.30am Max begins to bang his door demanding more hay and he is relentless. So for the sake of keeping on good terms with the neighbours and for our own sanity and lack of sleep he gets another 2 or 3 slices of hay.

Now I know that is the wrong thing to do but as the banging is so loud ignoring him at this point is not an option

Failed solutions:

1. Ignoring him - no-one got any sleep!
2. Turning them both out when he started banging - he just started banging the gate in the field!
3. Padding the stable door with rubber matting - you can still hear him!
4. Yelling at him from the bedroom window - works for about 5 mins

His stable is 12' x 12', I do not have top doors on, so they get maximum fresh air. Oh and he will let himself out even with a kickover bolt on if the bolt is not secured with a couple of clips!

Both Chris & I and Tilly would be grateful if you had any tips or suggestions to stop this blasted door banging.

 

[Capriole]

theres a device you can fit to your bottom door that gives them a shoot in the face with a jet of water when they kick the door, a la water pistol

 

[mlm]

i had a livery who had a horse that did this i was driven mad more by them keep shouting at the horse. so i bought a water pistol. obviously you can not sit there all night with it . BUT i was told there is a gadget not cheap mind u that you attach to the stable door and when they kick it squirts water at them for you. i don't know where you would get it from im afraid. i did find that carpet deafens the noise a bit more than rubber

 

[spaniel]

Water pistol works but you need to sit there for a few nights!

Lorry tyre inside the door also works (this stops one on our yard thats stabled right by the house!).

Wall mats (just installed these for my ID who likes a good bang).

Squirty in the face machine thing....not used one but makes sense.

You already know that rewarding the banging with hay is counter productive so Id try the tyre next and buy your neighbours some earplugs.

 

[darksecret99]

How about using a haynet with small holes so it lasts him longer?

Or some other sort of stable toy or trickle feeder to keep him amused longer so he doesnt feel the need to make a racket?!

More of a prevention rather than cure method!!?

 

[Law]

Hi Ninfa-
I'd agree with tripple netting the hay so that it is much harder work for him!
Something I have heard recommended and that works is to get some of those floppy water buckets (will find picture if I can), fill them to the top and put them on the inside of his door so when he kicks the door he will kick the buckets and get splashed with water. I've heard it is very effective and after a few days you can take the buckets out. I've also heard of trying putting some 4by4 on a frame around the lower part of the door, padding it out with some form of filler- carrier bags, bubble wrap, newspaper etc and then coconut matting over the frame. That should mean that there is a hollow area absorbing the sound and making it much less noisy. When he realises that banging doesn't create such an attractive noise he should give up.
I'll have a think of some more ideas

 

[JessPickle]

We have one like that, if you sit outside his stable with a bucket of water, then chuck some at him every time he banged he got the idea. Allthough since he injured himself he has got worse and uses his bad leg!

Also try tub trugs in front of the door with water in, when pickle used to break every water bucket by kicking them I used them, when he kicked it and got splashed he never did it again!

 

[Capriole]

haynet with small holes doesnt work for my horse he just bites a big hole in them so he can eat quicker

 

[dwi]

I put a tub trug very full of water up against the door which works in two ways. It makes it harder for her to get to the door to bang on it and if she does the water splashes out on her legs. Problem solved although she does start again if you forget to put the bucket there

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If you pad the back of the door put a baton across the top of the door first & fit the matting or carpet to that, do not attach the botom of the matting/carpet to the door as it will have no effect on the noise. If you don't attach the bottom to the door it will stand off the door a few inches. When the horse kicks the door the hanging matting/carpet will absorb the energy of the kick before it hits the door.

I won't stop him kicking the door, but the neighbours will be happier & you should get some sleep.

 

[herbert]

Easy. Remove the door and put an electric fence across the doorway. Works every time.

 

[Happytohack]

Have posted this solution before and other forum members have used it with great success. Trugs of water just inside the stable door - horse goes to bang door and splashes itself with water. Haven't found one that it doesn't work on. Also horse does not associate this with you - chucking water at horse, squirting with water pistol, throwing brushes are all associated with humans, whereas the horse soon learns that if he kicks the door, he splashes himself.

Good luck

 

[spaniel]

Yes, should have pointed that out...if you are going to use a water pistol you MUST sit out of sight of the horse, he mustnt associate you with the water or it wont work.

 

[harrihjc]

[ QUOTE ]
Have posted this solution before and other forum members have used it with great success. Trugs of water just inside the stable door - horse goes to bang door and splashes itself with water. Haven't found one that it doesn't work on. Also horse does not associate this with you - chucking water at horse, squirting with water pistol, throwing brushes are all associated with humans, whereas the horse soon learns that if he kicks the door, he splashes himself.

Good luck

[/ QUOTE ]

Doesn't work with mine, he picks the bucket up in his teeth and empties it out, then throws the empty bucket over the top of the door!

The water pistol thing that attaches to the bottom of the door sounds like a good idea tho!

 

[Shilasdair]

I remember reading that you should collect gorse, yes, gorse, and tie it to the top of the door to discourage him.
I've never wanted to get up close and personal with gorse, though.....
Electric fence should do the trick - I agree.
S

 

[eventing_chick]

A full grill may work he'll still have all the ventilation but if he can't put his head over he can't bang it.

 

[Judie]

Mine is a door banger, he would get a gold for his country if it was a sport

however I don't shut his door anymore, he has a good sturdy chain across the entrance instead, he is respectful enough to stand behind it, in the winter he has his door shut last thing at night when the last person leaves the yard as he only does it when he knows people are around or in ear shot.

 

[soupdragon]

Link to the squirty gadget - would be interested to know if it works

http://www.originell.co.uk/