horse that plants himself

[cellie]

I have 10 more days of box rest left and obviously my horse is getting fedup after 3 weeks in his stable.He has been brilliant up until this last two days but has decided to plant himself and doesnt want to go back into his stable after some in hand grazing.I can get him in with food bribes but dont really want to make a bad habit of it , he will back up and move over so its not a complete plant.We can also drive him forward .He has done the same on the trailer occassionally puts all four feet on the ramp then stops.It must be his escape route .
Just wondered what you would do under the same circumstances any good ideas gratefully received.

 

[dwi]

You haven't got anything hanging over the door have you? I know it sounds odd but Daisy went through a stage of refusing to go in the stable and it turned out to be because her saddle was on the door. Apparently they have a spatial perception problem if a doorway looks different

 

[SOB]

Mine does this on occasion and especially if he is ridden in the morning and then back in his box to cool down.

The only way I have found, other than riding him in which is not possible for most due to head room and stable size, is a broom up the bum! A slight touch with the bristles encourages mine to move forward...no hitting or shoving just a light touch.

 

[the watcher]

Don't pull, don't bribe - just wait him out - you have more patience and determination than him - same goes for the trailer

 

[cellie]

No hes just being stubborn he is doing the same thing with two diifferent stables .I put him in the outside one during the day and the inside at night for a change of scenery.Hes not frightened he will go straight in for food .He knows what Im asking he stands there licking his lips .I know he is missing the grass and the excercise .

 

[Cop-Pop]

My mare did that on her first box rest - I backed her in a couple of times which seemed to confuzzle her a bit and she was a good as gold afterwards!!

 

[katedring]

My horse did this but with GENTLE pursuetion he now loves his box, you have to think from his point of veiw if u had to be in the box all the time wen u had a chance to be free wud u go bk in. what i did was use good assoisation techniques
i wud get him in is stable with food n help frm a friend pushin him wen he was in i wud give him food lots of it n cuddles
also stables toys n licks help so they eventually think its a good thing going into thier stable hope tht helps a bit xxxxxx

 

[pinkcatkin]

My mare has always had a conceptual problem with doorways - in fact is going through a phase right now of not wanting to come out of her stable. I have a feeling she was once trapped, got caught or something, but it just comes and goes, sometimes she is fine, sometimes it takes ages for her to come out, but never going in.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
I have 10 more days of box rest left and obviously my horse is getting fedup after 3 weeks in his stable.He has been brilliant up until this last two days but has decided to plant himself and doesnt want to go back into his stable after some in hand grazing.I can get him in with food bribes but dont really want to make a bad habit of it , he will back up and move over so its not a complete plant.We can also drive him forward .He has done the same on the trailer occassionally puts all four feet on the ramp then stops.It must be his escape route .
Just wondered what you would do under the same circumstances any good ideas gratefully received.

[/ QUOTE ]

He is trying to tell you that he wants out, and doesn't understand why he has to stay in the boring stable all day. It's naughty, but given the circumstances, I'd be inclined to be sympathetic...and pop a token feed in the stable - chopped up apple/carrot/bit of chaff...so he has some reward for going in.
When he plants, I'd just verbally encourage him forward, then flick his bum with the end of the rope, possibly get a schooling whip and tap him with it, or a friend to give his bum a push with a yard brush.
Once he's off box rest, you'll probably find he's back to normal, and goes in without a problem.
S

 

[cellie]

Bribed him with a carrot this morning went in fine.I dont want to bully him the broom will be a last resort but a good idea ,might be a bit startled though.I tend to feed him when he moves stables and he has toys hes just bored.Considering he used to rear and spin out hes come a long way from when I first had him and he will be fine once he can get out again.Hes a bit lively inhand but thats good news as he was very lame before the operation.Cant bring myself to give him a hard time as he has been so good.
9 more days and we will all be much happier fed up with mucking out 3 times a day.

 

[Shilasdair]

[ QUOTE ]
Bribed him with a carrot this morning went in fine.I dont want to bully him the broom will be a last resort but a good idea ,might be a bit startled though.I tend to feed him when he moves stables and he has toys hes just bored.Considering he used to rear and spin out hes come a long way from when I first had him and he will be fine once he can get out again.Hes a bit lively inhand but thats good news as he was very lame before the operation.Cant bring myself to give him a hard time as he has been so good.
9 more days and we will all be much happier fed up with mucking out 3 times a day.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree...I would be playing this one low-key if he were mine. The only thing I would say, is not to let him escalate it - don't let him back away or pull sideways...but as long as he just stands there, passively resisting, you can patiently out wait him.
Hope all goes well
S