Old horse, strange habit!!

[Flowerofthefen]

I've had this horse for nearly 20 years. I know him inside out. If I take a wheel barrow into his stable with another horses poo in he will make a bee line for it, stick his nose in it and shove the muck out. He is quite forceful about it. He will then do a little shake. This has been going on for about a year. For the last few months he has pooing in the field then rolling in it. Not every poo and not every day. He will roll in one poo every other day or so. Does anyone know why he would do this?

 

[Cragrat]

My only guess would be hormone changes, making his behaviour change. Obviously as they age various glands can decline/go bonkers. Someone suggested Angnus Castus is useful for old geldings as well as mares. Might be worth a try???

 

[Flowerofthefen]

My only guess would be hormone changes, making his behaviour change. Obviously as they age various glands can decline/go bonkers. Someone suggested Angnus Castus is useful for old geldings as well as mares. Might be worth a try???

Thank you. I will have a look. It's very strange!

 

[PurpleSpots]

Has he been tested for Cushings already? If not it could be well worth it.

(ETA: Reading my reply back it looks rather blunt - it's not meant to be! Sorry. I am just a bit short on words right now.)

 

[Dave's Mam]

Is he maybe feeling his age a bit & demonstrating a bit of territorial behaviour to keep his "place" in the herd?

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Has he been tested for Cushings already? If not it could be well worth it.

(ETA: Reading my reply back it looks rather blunt - it's not meant to be! Sorry. I am just a bit short on words right now.)

He hasn't but will have a word with the vet

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Is he maybe feeling his age a bit & demonstrating a bit of territorial behaviour to keep his "place" in the herd?

He is on individual turnout but I suppose he could still be being territorial. I hope he doesn't do it when rugs come off!

 

[Highmileagecob]

My old boy has always slept on the poo in the stable. He regards himself as number 1 in the herd, although he has been overtaken now (he's 30!). If his challenger poos near him, he will go over and poo on the same spot, likewise rolling. Probably a bit of territory marking.

 

[AShetlandBitMeOnce]

My old boy has always slept on the poo in the stable.

Dex does this, its his most annoying habit. I have to put a no fill over any stable rugs as he lays so consistently in poo that anything else just soaks it up and needs washing after about 3 nights! Even the no fill is almost at the point of standing up in its own!

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Dex does this, its his most annoying habit. I have to put a no fill over any stable rugs as he lays so consistently in poo that anything else just soaks it up and needs washing after about 3 nights! Even the no fill is almost at the point of standing up in its own!

I think laying in poo is probably different? My other horse lies in poo but guessing it's because he has no choice as he is in the stable. Choosing to roll in a poo in a field is another thing!