Getting to the root of problems - door climber

SizzlerB

SizzlerB

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I have a rescue 3 year old Welsh section a who I acquired at the end of May - very timid, unhandleable and shy. She is now slightly happier and settled in a routine; although we have had alot of ups and downs along the way; which is to be expected as she's had a tough little life so far.

She is in at night and LOVES being in - she has a top door which is a grille which I have to shut as she went through a phase of clambering at the door and rearing upright - eek! I was terrified she might harm herself so the door is shut when she is left.

I have been trying to leave it open if I am on the yard and ignoring her door kicking which I have decided is attention seeking.

However tonight, my friend who brings her in for me in the evening rang in a panic to say she had got her front legs over the door in a split second. She struggled to free herself and luckily no damage; this time! :-/

I am worried she may do this and cause herself severe damage; having just lost my mare 2 weeks ago this little one is currently my life line and Im terrified something will happen to her!

Has anyone managed to overcome this - for now, I shall keep the door shut as this is solving the problem but ultimately I would like to be able to have the top door open.

Ideas ? Experiences ?
 
A higher stable door?

Stable mirrors and toys to settle her when in?

Do you have access to a larger stable (I'm thinking like a barn she can walk around in to get used to being enclosed without getting too claustrophobic)

Keep her out until she is more settled generally?

Spend time with her in the stable, making it fun and sociable with grooming and massages and treats.

(I don't really undersand - you say she LOVES being in but is rearing over the door - this doesn't sound quite right)
 
I did sound a bit nuts reading it back. She doesn't appear stressed in any way. Easy to do in and out of the stable, plenty of hay and a ball.
I find it hard to work out what it is that makes her clamber at the door? This is my point. It was feed time which may have been why she did it...without being there myself I am not sure of the build up. Just one of those things maybe...when I initially got her she never made it over the door but attempted it and I put it down to feeling insecure ( she would smash through fencing too the poor love-bit thankfully we got round that!)
I suppose I'm terrified of her getting stuck and causing a break to the leg?!
 
My old boy used to stand up, prop his front feet on the door and watch me sweep up getting down when he was done watching. No fuss.
 
Can she see over it easily? One of our ponies got very distressed with a normal height door as she was always at full stretch trying to look out. Problem was solved by fitting a door she could easily see over. :)
 
I've had my pony 3 years and he has never come around to being stabled! Tried everything but he will just throw himself about until either the door, walls or himself breaks!

I no longer try to keep him in, it's not worth stressing myself out! He has no regard for his own safety.
 
If she seemed stressed or unhappy in I wouldnt havent her in but she's not - it's purely some sort of reaction at certain times - she does also have a habit of putting feet through the gate in the field when she's waiting to come in.

Good point about the height - I do have a thick higher piece of rubber matting so she can see but I might see what happens if I add some more height - it's an idea x
 
You say she has a grill, is it one with vertical bars nicely spaced a hoof widths apart? You need to get some small squared sheet metal ( like the sides on supermarket cages/ trolleys) and put this over her grill so she isnt able to get her hooves through. You say she is settled inside so it sounds like she is attention seeking as you go to her when she tries to climb out. Shutting her in completly will make her worse as she wont be able to see any others which will be important especially if she was a rescue.

You also need to cover the gate if shes putting her legs through it, Im an equine vet nurse and ive seen horrific injuries from legs through gates.
 
Hi flaxen no luckily the door is mesh with teeny squares. I'm convinced she's attention seeking too. The gate issues seem to be when she's waiting to come in and like you I've heard horror stories of injuries x
 
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