My horse stresses when rugged

[Debbieplecas]

Hi Everyone
I have a bit of a problem. My horse stresses out when rugged and either pours at the ground or gallops around like a maniac. She lets me put the rug on and do it up and she is fine for a short time. Then she just bolts off to the corner and hangs her head and pours. Nothing has happened to her that i'm aware of in her rug and she was rugged every winter up till when she came to me last year. Im happy to leave her unrugged if thats what she wants but i'm also hoping to show her and that will not be possible if i can't at least wash her the day before an event and keep her clean. I have tried all types of rugs and have tried going back to basics. I have no access to a stable or small yard. Has anyone ever had this happen before

 

[Pinkvboots]

How old is she?

When Arabi was a 2 year old colt he would chew and destroy all his rugs, and run about in between doing it he got better as he got older, still will very occasionally chew one at the front his 16 now!

 

[Debbieplecas]

How old is she?

When Arabi was a 2 year old colt he would chew and destroy all his rugs, and run about in between doing it he got better as he got older, still will very occasionally chew one at the front his 16 now!

she is 11

 

[Dyllymoo]

Is she upset when the rug goes on, or is it literally when she is out in it. she may just be too hot? Or potentially she may have sensitive withers or something that when she has a rug on it is pressing down causing her to feel uncomfortable. Have you had her back checked at all?

Is she uncomfortable in her saddle? Does she flinch if you touch any part of her withers/ neck/ back?

 

[Pinkvboots]

she is 11

Oh dear!

Could she be hot has she always done it? Is it one particular rug?

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I imagine that she either is too hot in the rug or is expecting to be. Alternatively the rug may be pressing on a tender spot, possibly on the neck, if she's fine in the saddle. I would ask a vet to check her over.

 

[Debbieplecas]

Is she upset when the rug goes on, or is it literally when she is out in it. she may just be too hot? Or potentially she may have sensitive withers or something that when she has a rug on it is pressing down causing her to feel uncomfortable. Have you had her back checked at all?

Is she uncomfortable in her saddle? Does she flinch if you touch any part of her withers/ neck/ back?

She's fine when it goes on , it's only when she is in the paddock. She's fine with the saddle and isn't sensitive to touch. Back was checked a month or two ago.

 

[Debbieplecas]

Oh dear!

Could she be hot has she always done it? Is it one particular rug?

i have tried all types of different rugs and its alway the same response

 

[Dyllymoo]

She's fine when it goes on , it's only when she is in the paddock. She's fine with the saddle and isn't sensitive to touch. Back was checked a month or two ago.

Could it just be that she gets too hot and feels irritated by the rugs then? Have you spoken to her previous owner?

 

[Debbieplecas]

Could it just be that she gets too hot and feels irritated by the rugs then? Have you spoken to her previous owner?

Yep previous owner has no idea where this behaviour has come from. There has never been an issue before and the rug she has is the rug she came with

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Why are you putting her a rug on now?

 

[Debbieplecas]

Why are you putting her a rug on now?

because its winter here and i don't have any shelters in the paddock and if i want to show her then she will need to be kept clean the night before

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Is she clipped? Are you sure that she needs a rug?

 

[whiteflower]

Static shocks ?? Bit of an out their suggestion I know but depends what the lining of the rug is, maybe try putting a cotton sheet underneath ??