Mare running back and biting door?

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charlotteanderson97

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Hello,

I've owned my 9 year old Clydesdale x TB mare for just over 2 years now and she hasn't been the calmest in her stable. At her old yard, she has kicked down the side wall, and was very anxious about being in (even when other horses were in).
She is out 24/7 during summer but during the winter she is in for the night (I try to keep her out as long as possible). When I bring her in on her own to ride, groom etc, depending on how energetic she is, she can be quite a handful; often box walking and running up to her door.

Also, in the winter mornings, I am not the first up to the yard and therefore she is not the first out (She will get turned out about 6:30am) - She has been caught many times by myself and others walking backwards, turning and biting her door, then walk backwards (WITH her teeth around the door)

Has anybody else had this issue?! I upped her hay nets when I found out and she got a lot better but she has still been seen to do this when I've brought her in in the summer!

HELP please!!
 
My horse used to fret in his stable at my old yard, even when other horses were in too, he'd rear up at the door and try to barge his way out. At times he would get quite dangerous, perhaps because his stable was very gloomy, and even though it was long it was probably slightly too narrow. So I just grazed him out all year and tacked him up at a ring outside the stable when I wanted to ride, but obviously not all yards offer all year round grazing. I moved to another yard with stables which overlook his field and that seems to have helped him 100%, so now he comes in when the weather is bad to save the field a bit. I think some horses just aren't meant to be cooped up, and as for using calmers it wont work as a long term solution. Spinning Licks, jolly balls or plastic dectahedrons might be worth a try too if you haven't already.
 
Betty_x said:
My horse used to fret in his stable at my old yard, even when other horses were in too, he'd rear up at the door and try to barge his way out. At times he would get quite dangerous, perhaps because his stable was very gloomy, and even though it was long it was probably slightly too narrow. So I just grazed him out all year and tacked him up at a ring outside the stable when I wanted to ride, but obviously not all yards offer all year round grazing. I moved to another yard with stables which overlook his field and that seems to have helped him 100%, so now he comes in when the weather is bad to save the field a bit. I think some horses just aren't meant to be cooped up, and as for using calmers it wont work as a long term solution. Spinning Licks, jolly balls or plastic dectahedrons might be worth a try too if you haven't already.
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I would be wary of sugary treats, you need to keep them on a plain diet.
 
Do she get a hard feed? If so make sure it is high in fibre because that can prevent stress and also giving her a calmer I'd suggest something with vervain and chamomille, also as Bronkers2 said magnesium is a good one (can get licks supplmented with it so may help boredom too)
 
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