Pony chews leather

[arizonahoney]

Quite selectively - he'll chew a leather headcollar if it's hanging up in front of him where he's tied or he'll chew his reins while I am tacking him up (doesn't happen when I'm on top).

Any idea why he does this? And do I buy cheap reins or expensive reins, given this annoying habit?!

 

[tedster]

No idea why .. but our Shetland does this too
many reins chewed to pieces and once someone left a bridle over his stable door he made light work of it lol

 

[sprite1978]

Spray them with liquid saddle soap, Theyll be super clean, and may deter him.

 

[ThePony]

Bad manners I think!! Just don't leave him in a position where he can get to leather, perhaps when you tie him up you might need to remove his reins? Smart ponies can get a hold of them from any angle it seems!!

 

[arizonahoney]

Spray them with liquid saddle soap, Theyll be super clean, and may deter him.

Maybe I should stop using the Passier bridle cleaner? It smells of honey, so that may be an additional attraction to him.

 

[Tickles]

I've ridden one horse who would chew pretty much anything when bored or nervous. Horses naturally chew for something shocking like 18hrs a day if grazing so it isn't surprising they think of it/do it naturally when they are tied up/stood around being tacked up.

Try changing your routine to avoid pony being tied with nothing to do for long periods. Much better to leave pony with a bucket of hay if you really have to have it tied.