Pony keeps chewing things...

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bex1984

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Over the past week, Murphy has started chewing on things. This started with his new lead rope, so i thought it was just that it smells interesting. When I bring him in he chews his leadrope constantly, he sort of turns his head to try and get it in his mouth, chews it for a second, spits it out and then starts chewing it again...he doesn't seem to chew it as much on the way out to the field though
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He has also started trying to chew the roundings and shanks on his bit (a pelham) sometimes when I'm riding. When I tack him up he tries to grab bits of the bridle to chew on, and when I lead him out to the school he tries to chew the reins.

It's a bit weird
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I'm planning to get his teeth checked as I'm wondering if something is uncomfortable?

The odd thing is I'm sure he did the same thing last summer...but he hasn't done it all winter?

Any ideas what might be going on??
 
No idea why, but my warmblood/tb used to chew anything he could get his teeth into. Lead ropes are his favourite, but given a chance he will chew saddles, bridles, reins etc.

I thought he had stopped but he has recently started chewing again so maybe it's seasonal thing with him too? Mine is due for teeth checkup as well so could be that...
 
no...he's not having his vits anymore now he's out 24/7, and he doesn't have a salt lick (he has one in his stable but not in the field)...could that make a difference?

I'd just assumed it MUST be his teeth, until I remembered yesterday that he did the same thing last summer...
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Can't imagine why it would be seasonal though?
 
Does he have any hard feed at all now? Maybe he's lacking salt or something. If you feed him in the winter and he gets vitamins/minerals, maybe he's missing those now he's out 24/7. See if you can borrow a salt or mineral block from someone just to see if he's interested....
 
he just has a daily apple now, no hard feed at all. He is tied up next to his salt lick when he comes in for a groom/ride everyday and shows no interest in it...maybe he's just a weirdo?!

I guess I could carry on giving him some vits and see what happens- I stopped giving them to him because I was worried about him having anything extra to eat in case he gets fat(ter)!!

if it was his teeth would he show any other signs?
 
He might show other signs or he might not. He could be more difficult in the school (not sure that's possible!
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) or he could hang on the bit, or chew it or open his mouth, or grind his teeth. If he drops food out of his mouth when he's eating that could be a sign. There are loads of things that could be signs.

How long is it since they were done? I think I'd want to check every 6 months until I got to know how long the horse can go between checks.
 
My boys started doing this too the past couple of weeks but also tries to chew me! On Friday whilst I was brushing him I was chatting to someone who said the reason was probably because he could have been cut late. I looked into it and tracked down his old trainer (he's an exracer) and was told he was cut at 3yrs old! This may be the reason for it as obviously it's the time of year with mares in season!
 
It was September when he was last done. I'll defo get them checked again now (I'd only worry constantly about it if I didn't anyway!!)...and if they're OK I think I'll have to conclude that he's a weirdo!!
 
My pony chews anything. Its very annoying. He wrecked a brand new set of side reins this weekend that I stupidly left hanging over his door. Its not his teeth as they were done a month ago. Think its more of a boredom thing. Grrrrr.
 
Our pony is on no food but as he's on an over grazed field we give equabites, they are by dodson and Horrell and provide all the mineral and vitamins he needs. Might be worth trying some
 
[ QUOTE ]
My pony chews anything. Its very annoying. He wrecked a brand new set of side reins this weekend that I stupidly left hanging over his door. Its not his teeth as they were done a month ago. Think its more of a boredom thing. Grrrrr.

[/ QUOTE ]

Murph normally just throws things on the floor to get my attention, he hasn't chewed things in aaages.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Our pony is on no food but as he's on an over grazed field we give equabites, they are by dodson and Horrell and provide all the mineral and vitamins he needs. Might be worth trying some

[/ QUOTE ]

that's what he used to have in the winter...might try giving them to him again as he is on restricted grazing.
 
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