horse that 'chews' boredom relief ideas

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ruby_2_shoes

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My horse is a 'chewer' - will nibble at me, coats, tack (if within reach), headcollars + leadropes, Rugs, mucking out equipment, etcccc... I think he does it as a bad habit/ for attention/ Out of boredom...

Any ideas on how to stop him getting 'bored'??

He is turned out as often and for as long as possible, ridden and worked 6 days a week and has plenty of hay if in and at night. Tried likit licks- won't eat!!, Likit ball things with treats in- seemingly scared of there as backed right off of it and wouldn't go near it - and when I held it looked terrified!!!

Any ideas are gratefully received :)
 
My pony hates being stabled and chews his door and throws his water bucket around! He loves the Likits..if I hold them for him. I wasted money on a 'boredom breaker' and a 'tongue twister' but he won't go near them. Plus I can't get them out again! You can try them loose in a bucket apparently...if you can get the likit out of its tub!

You can buy feeds in a likit-type cube to hang on stable doors instead of a feed. I think that would keep my boy happy. Though I think he'd eat the lot and I'm not sure how long they're supposed to last!

I did graze him in hand as much as possible. Sorry I can only really empathise!
 
juliette said:
Lucie Brix are good IF your horse will eat them! My previous gelding loved them and they kept him busy for a while, but current mare does not understand them and won't eat them!
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I've not actually tried them but might pick a couple up next time as they're selling them singularly for 87p I think mine will eat it about the only thing she won't eat is bananas :D She loves her food :o I've been told they take about twice as long to eat as the equivalent value of hay.
 
I use one of those hexagonal treat balls filled with their allocation of nuts for the day. The kick the living daylight out of them! If you put a bit of hay in too it slows them down a bit...
 
My boy is like this, but add teething into the mix!

I make plaits of hay for him. Sort of like a French plait, adding bits to make it longer, and daily chunky. I try to bind it really really tightly. They don't last too long, but to be honest they last longer then his attention span to any toy would! And they don't take long to make, but require some serious chewing to get through! Settles him right down, he loves them!
 
The pony next door to Shy has a "ball thing filled with feed". Crash. Crash. Crash.

Of course Shy wants one too, but he has to make do with a soaked haynet.
 
Shysmum said:
The pony next door to Shy has a "ball thing filled with feed". Crash. Crash. Crash.

Of course Shy wants one too, but he has to make do with a soaked haynet.
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They are SOOO much fun!

We have a great game where I put a lead rope across the stable doorway and we play passback football across the line...
 
Shysmum said:
The pony next door to Shy has a "ball thing filled with feed". Crash. Crash. Crash.

Of course Shy wants one too, but he has to make do with a soaked haynet.
Click to expand...
We had one of these for the big lad - for about 20 mins; he discovered the quickest way to get the treats out was to trap it in the corner and bash it with a shire sized hoof!!! Don't you jut love 'em?!
 
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