Horse rocking backwards and forwards

[rubydog]

If a horse rocks backwards and forwards whilst tied up is it classed as a vice or is there some other reason, had a search on the Internet and can only find information about toy rocking horses. Thanks In advance

 

[be positive]

I wouldnt think of it as a vice, it sounds more like it is trying to relieve pain of some type, maybe in its feet??

 

[Oberon]

Is he doing it against the rope or is the rope slack? Does he break away?

Does he have any problem with the headcollar over his poll?

Does he do it with a haynet there too?

My Tank used to lean against the rope to break it when he was younger. I stopped tying the rope to anything and just left the rope in the ring. If he wanted to walk off he could. He soon got bored with the game and now stands nicely.

I always leave a net with him if he is tied up for more than five minutes though.

 

[rubydog]

Umm that's interesting the horse in question doesn't do it all the time and only seems to be for a couple of seconds, when tied up.

 

[rubydog]

Oberon, he is definitely not doing it break free, I think he has also been spotted doing it in his stable, he doesn't do it for long it's like he zones out slightly when doing it?

 

[Oberon]

Umm that's interesting the horse in question doesn't do it all the time and only seems to be for a couple of seconds, when tied up.

Could be anxiety. Without knowing the horse's history it's difficult to say.

 

[MiCsarah]

My friends mare rocks against things alot. Were not sure where it came from. She does it when she wants to come in, quite often as soon as she comes into the stable, when she's tired and loads if she's stressed. I've never seen a horse do it before

 

[Carlosmum]

Is he tied on concrete or other hard surface? I'd check his feet, rocking is a classic sign of laminitis ( horse trying to relieve pain in feet) which may not be noticeable if he is standing on a bed or field.