Rug Biter!

L

littlebranshill

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Joined
16 February 2008
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193
www.littlebranshill.co.uk
I am at my wits end. 8yr old TB ex-racehorse very dominant mare keeps ripping all 3 of the horses rugs. Its getting very expensive in repairs not to mention the fact that she lashes out with her hind feet and has injured the 20yr old mare. They all live out 24/7 so its not an option to bring her in to keep her away from the others as she would go up the wall and neither is tt isn't possible to separate them in the field. She is already on a calming herbal remedy which has helped with the schooling but not with her bad temper. It is all food related and if anyone gets near her hay then they are chased and beaten to a pulp! We have put on anti rug bite spray which, apart from making me cough and splutter and retch when I put it on has had some success. Anyone any suggestions? She belongs to a friend of mine so am reluctant to ask her to find another livery.
 
I help out at a field livery where all the horses are out 24/7 so i understand how hard it is if one horse is causing trouble.

Are there any stables, even if you bring her in at night just to give the others a break or at feeding times? only for a little while?

Since you have already used a calmer and anti-bite spray the only other thing i can suggest is to separate her from the other horses with an electric fence on her own or with another horse that she doesn't lash out at, or atleast are tough enough to take it and defend themselfs. You could maybe make up at excuse to separate your lot, or even just say it to her straight. If her horse has injured the old mare it is simpley un acceptable.

A group of horses are always going to have a herd leader and others will be dominant over others, a few nips and kicks is natural but it sounds like this has gone too far. You really need to sit down to discuss it with your friend before another horse or even a person gets hurt. It's her responsiblity to control her TB, she has to act on your conserns.

Good luck, i know how rubbish this can be! xx
 
Put a cheap lightweight on over your decent rugs to take the abuse. They will be cheaper to replace and easier to repair (less bulky so easy to repair yourself. I do all mine by hand with a needle and thread, using material from an old ripped up turnout rug!!!)

Also, put the piles of hay much much further apart, like the far corners of the field. She'll have to travel further to attack the others, and if it doesn't put her off at least it will slow her travel.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Put a cheap lightweight on over your decent rugs to take the abuse. They will be cheaper to replace and easier to repair (less bulky so easy to repair yourself. I do all mine by hand with a needle and thread, using material from an old ripped up turnout rug!!!)

Also, put the piles of hay much much further apart, like the far corners of the field. She'll have to travel further to attack the others, and if it doesn't put her off at least it will slow her travel.

[/ QUOTE ]

I like that idea of a cheap lightweight over the top! great idea!
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