Question: Stable door kicking

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Blazingkate

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Hiya, has anyone got any idea how to stop my horse kicking his stable door? He tends to do it when its feed time and when people are around on the yard. This is my first winter with him and I've been told every winter before he's nearly destroyed his stable doors! (To be fair they haven't been the strongest stable doors in the past and the one I have is fairly new and strong but still) Anyway, I've had it suggested I get some electric fencing or something, and cut some small bits and put them as a cross over the stable door so he can't put his head out and get close enough to kick it. He kicks with his frots not his backs by the way. Also there are holes in the wall between the 2 stables so he can put his head through there to see his next door neighbour etc. Do people think this will work or have any over ideas?
xxxx
 
I would nail a piece of wood across the top & bottom of the stable door then nail a sheet of rubber to the wood top & bottom so then it is hollow between door & rubber. That way it will lessen any noise, protect door & neddies legs! Plus I have found they like the noise it makes so hopefully with lessening the amount of noise he may get bored with it?? You could also put sponge inbtween rubber & door to cushion it even more??
 
You could buy a chain for his door, put it on before feed time and have his door open, therefore he can't get out but does not have anything to kick out and feed him first so that he doesn't get tempted to jump out (for just in case)...
 
My horse used to do this and kept getting big knees!
I bought a large square of foam about 2 in thick and screwed a good quality piece of hesium backed carpet over the top. He soon stopped.
 
My horse kept doing this and ended up getting ringbone and had to be retired. I would get a car tyre, cut it in half and nail it to the box door as quickly as you can. Carpet only cushions the sound not the blows.
 
Thats awful, Im so sorry. My last horse had ringbone too and was retired so I know how devastating it is.
The carpet idea only worked for me as he no longer made the noise and so didnt get a responce so he soon stopped.
 
Chex used to kick the door, can't remember how I got him to stop. I think completely ignoring them can work, no shouting, no hitting, and only give the feed when they are standing quietly. I've seen using a hose to squirt water at the horses work before too.
 
It will be hard but you must ignore your horse totally when he kicks the door. If you go to him, shout at him, give him any attention at all he has achieved his goal....totally ignore him even if it really annoys you.

In between times to help stop him from either injuring himself or damaging the door screw a baton across the top of the door, probably abouty 3" (7cm deep) and tack on a piece of carpet as that's the same height of the door. Do Not fix the carpet at the bottom, leave it hanging. When he kicks the door, because the carpet hangs infront of the door alot of the energy will be absorbed by the loose carpet & the impact on the door will be lessened.

It will take time but hopefully it should work. Good Luck
smile.gif
 
We cured a cheeky coloured pony of door banging by shutting the top door for a few minutes every time he did it. Ponies are very clever and soon leanr that door banging = being shut in (he had a window at the back and half height partition so it wasn't cruel).

The most important thing is that well meaning people on the yard don't go and talk to him or give him food to shut him up, it only makes them do it worse.

Good luck xx
 
one of the horses at the stables i go to does that. he does it for attention, banging his knees against the door until someone pays attention to him. normally somebody shouting brandy at him shuts him up or soaked hay keeps him quiet for 45minutes!!!!!
 
Water from a hose aimed at horse is one I know that people use.

Best thing to do is for NOONE to shout at the horse or growl as this means its getting attention, will keep kicking etc
 
[ QUOTE ]
one of the horses at the stables i go to does that. he does it for attention, banging his knees against the door until someone pays attention to him. normally somebody shouting brandy at him shuts him up or soaked hay keeps him quiet for 45minutes!!!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

Oh that did make me giggle! I assume that Brandy is his name but when I first read it my sleep-deprived brain thought that it was the promise of a drink of brandy - and then that brandy-soaked hay kept him quiet for 45 minutes.
 
one word. hose. youve got to be prepared and do it like you mean it. as soon as he bangs you MUST be ready...its no good doing it minutes after. and best if you can stand out of sight so he thinks its a direct result of him kicking the door not you doing it. similarly, a friend stood out of sight in tack room with lunge whip and as he banged gave an almighty whack on the door (obviously you need to be skilled so as not to hit your beloved in the face and cause serious damage!!) he's never ever kciekd his door again and he was a serial offender.

or if you have money to burn spend £200 on one of those water puffy things that sprays water in their face if the kick the door!!

Door kicking is a very annoying habit and one i personally cant stand. nip it in the bud asap
 
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