How can I make the horse pee at competitions?

[joy]

This is now seriously affecting his performance, he just won't relieve himself either on the lorry or on the show ground, result he can't jump or do a dressage test or anything. Help please.

 

[EstherYoung]

A few things to investigate:

- Is he comfortable in his back? Mine used to refuse to go but when we changed saddles he started going with me on him, even. To avoid splashing themselves on hard ground, geldings have to stretch out further than normal and if there is any soreness preventing this it can make them reluctant.
- Is he turned out full time? This can actually help, as he will have to go on hard ground and get used to it. I've found mine are far less likely to pee when out if they know they can hang onto it until they get into a stable.
- Is he hydrated enough? Dehydrated horses often won't pee, and when they do it will be darker than normal.
- Does he drink at events? If you can get him to drink, he may then pee.
- If another horse pees, take him to watch and then place him over the spot.
- Some horses can be trained to go in a bucket of shavings and/or when you whistle. For this, though, you'll need to catch them peeing at home first and starting with the whistling/reward.

 

[joy]

Thanks but his back is ok, he drinks sugarbeet water at comps, lives out and will not pee in a bucket, I tried but he just stops the flow immediately and I can't whistle.

 

[chestnut cob]

Do you have bedding down in the trailer/lorry? I always have to put something down as my horse pees for England - I put a decent covering of shavings down and he always wees when he gets back in.

 

[odd1]

i feel your pain - and if you find something that works can you message me please!
i have tried loads even taking some wet bedding from the stable and puting that in the lorry, tried it in a bucket and letting him sniff it - didnt work
whistling kettle didnt work, walking for hours and hours has worked about twice
he has been in most stables locally for a pee, which works as long as the comp is at a livery yard, if it is ask the owner if you can pop him in a box for 10mins untack him and i bet he pees
what worries me is when i go any distance, worst one was left at 3am and didnt get back till 7pm and he was dribbling as i unloaded never even made it in the stable door before he flooded the yard!!!
i have also tried things like easipee dandylion waste of money
mine wont really drink much when away either so like you i give watery sugarbeet which he takes fine, and i also add electrolytes to it so he is hydrated

 

[Luci07]

My old horse would never wee unless in a stable - not even in his field so as soon as we got home, I would take him straight off and into his stable. He would drink loads at a show as well.

Not sure about the new boy but in fairness, he has only been out for short hops as he only 5 so not really had to put it to the test. Currently more concerned about trying to get water down him. He wouldnt drink even after going out XC schooling for best part of 3 hours and the old trick of a clean soaked sponge did not go down well!

 

[fatpiggy]

My mare used to be a wretch for crossing her legs all day. Even now, when she comes in at night in the winter months she often bursts as soon as she goes through the door, when she could have quite easily relieved herself in the field at any time. I trained her to wee on command (obviously they won't do it if they don't actually want to!) and she learned in just a few days that being a good girl meant she got a haynet straight away. That meant I could at least made sure she had been before we set off to a show! We did successfully manage it a few times at shows (we only went to two local riding club showgrounds so were able to use the same spot each time) by me instructing her to go. Even now she is retired I still remind her of the command by using it if I spot her about to wee in the field, and praising her afterwards. Bless her, she got so good at it that if I had her tied up outside while I mucked out, if she wanted to go she would catch my eye and beg like mad with her front leg so that I would bring her in.

 

[H's mum]

This is now seriously affecting his performance, he just won't relieve himself either on the lorry or on the show ground, result he can't jump or do a dressage test or anything. Help please.

The best thing to do is to teach your boy how to wee into a bucket - whenever he comes into the stable (when you know he's going to have a wee) catch it with a skip bucket everytime - he will then associate the skip bucket with going for a wee so he will do it for you when you are away at competitions - they catch on really quickly - I've trained both mares and geldings to do this
Good luck
Kate x

 

[MissTyc]

I have to make a little pile of hay and then walk him over it a few times, whistling. Then he will finally stop over the hay and aim his wee into it :lol: .... He will go on a rubber/all weather surface, but not in a sand school. He'll go in tall grass as well, but not on short grass. You need to figure them out!

 

[PucciNPoni]

Can't wait to try some of these tricks cos mine won't pee out and about either.

Can anyone tell me why whistleing works?

 

[MiCsarah]

I think whistling only works if you start whistling when they wee normally, like in their stable and then they associate that noise with weeing. Guessing you can do any news really.
We have a horse at work that wont pee in its stable and will be desperate sometimes to get out for a pee. If we want to ride in the mornings we have to take him to a spot in the field where he will releave himself