Stable escape artist

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Annie B.

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Help! I have a horse who has decided his stable door is just not an issue. New stable went up last September same well known company as his previous stable just bigger and he is just walking through the door. Firstly he started undoing the bolts so a carabiner has been put on the top slide bolt to stop him undoing that and half way down the door a horse proof bolt with the piece that drops behind the sliding bar and the usual kick bolt on the bottom. He was spending time undoing the carabiner, slide bolts and horse proof bolts he has down to a fine art and the kick bolt he will just lean on till it pops off. Now this morning he has got the carabiner off the top bolt, undone the top bolt and just lent on the door. The door is now rather than just being pushed open has also had the lower hinge buckled and cannot be closed. So the question is WWYD has anyone any experience of Houdini turned destroyer and how to keep them in.
 
Keep the bolts you have and add a stall guard and have a look at why he's so keen to get out his stable. Maybe get him a mirror or some toys or both? Some horses just don't like being in. You could put one of the quick release clips on over the bolt instead of a carabiner or another sort of clip and see if there's a type he can't undo?
 
If he's just doing it because he's being a git (rather than worried/panicky) - I'd start with a grille, so that he can't put his head over the door and push, or alternatively, rig up a mini electric fence on his side of the door - you can use the screw in circular things in each side of the door frame, attach a bit of tape between them and run the lead from the energiser through a bit of hosepipe over the door.
 
Thanks for your answers, I have tried different clips but he can do those as well and went to the carabiner because I was worried about him getting a piercing. I can promise he is not panicking or worried he appears to be doing it now because he can, he came over to me whilst I was lifting the door out of the way and I swear he looked at it saying "I did that". He is 18 hands of numb nuts and once out just stands on the yard so no better off and he can see my other two from his stable as my yard is a L shaped configuration so not lonely. He is only 6 so looks like I need to try a grille ( don't know why I didn't think of that :o) unfortunately he can't stay out at night as he climbs out of the field.
 
Put a barge bar up, on the inside of the door, and higher than the door. Secure it either side by clips similar you see on breast bars in ifor williams trailers.
Equally, put on two top bolts, one bolting the 'normal way' and the other reverse.
 
Mains electric fence across the to of the door so they don't lean over to undo it worked for mine, jumping the door wasn't acceptable to she just undid it instead , lean ver a strand of fence to undo it and you won't do it again
 
Why is he wanting to get out, could you pull two slide rails up with a pin through them so they cant be slid by him inside his door and leave the door open, maybe the stable is too hot or claustrophobic
 
Barge bars don't work - my boy went through them too. A strip of electric tape across the door attached to one of those mini D-cell energisers did work though ;)
 
Definitely not claustrophobic as stable is 14x16 with full door on front, separate top door to look out on side and large louvre window on front. He is just a big clumsy goon.
 
But he is bored and stressed, poor boy. Tie a jolly ball outside his stable from the roof down so he can play with that instead of the door bolts
 
I don't think there's anything written above to suggest he's stressed, just sounds like a clever cheeky horse!
Good luck op. I had to put a grill up for my mare on box rest, felt a bit mean stopping her looking over the door but took away a huge amount of worry. If he's got other windows for a view it sounds like a good plan :)
 
Nope not stressed he doesn't do stressed. He is only in whilst it's dark as he can't be trusted not to climb out of the field he doesn't jump he climbs 5 1/2 foot fences and dry stone walls gets half way and then waits for you to come and rescue him. Never in 30 years of owning horses have met 1 like this chap
 
My boy is also an escape artist. Two things have stopped him.

A really long ( 18" ) slide bolt, which he couldn't physically slide the distance needed to undo it. And a metal right angle bracket which is fitted above the bolt (like a shelf) so he can't get to the bolt.
 
He sounds like a character!

Is the carabiner a clip type or a screw type like this:

quicklinks.gif


If it's the clip type try substituting it for one of the above. If it's not then heaven knows!
 
Oh I like the sound of the bracket over the bolt thanks Mainpower. Why does stuff like this happen when the husband has gone out for the day.
 
I have one similar :) but the threaded quicklink (above) has foiled him :D

How about doing a polo check to see how far his naughty lips can get outside the stable door at maximum stretch, then make up a wooden rail with anti-luce fastenings at each end at least six inches longer than his maximum stretch, to be secured across the door on the outside.

Then you need to set up plenty of decoys, rollers, large metal nuts on threaded rods etc on the front of his door to give that clever brain and those agile lips something to do.
 
Fools Motto said:
Put a barge bar up, on the inside of the door, and higher than the door. Secure it either side by clips similar you see on breast bars in ifor williams trailers.
Equally, put on two top bolts, one bolting the 'normal way' and the other reverse.
Click to expand...
Use a 4x4 post as a barge bar - don't think he would get through that, worked for us years ago with a "darling" horse that would push through the door before it was fully open.
 
My lads the same, the first time I saw him he was being led, having ditched his rider, he was held in a stable and on offering to shut the door was told, Nah, the ****** will just be out, four years on and he is still an escape artist, even travelling him, he had undone his leadrope, turned round in the trailer and had his head over the ramp watching the lorries passing, cue a quick stop to re tie him, he's learned if he kicks gates, bolts tend to open, I literally have to tie gates shut with a double knot to stop him.
OP, you could try putting a hasp on and use a padlock (unlocked) it should resist his efforts at getting it off, good luck, he sounds lovely
 
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STRIKER You do not know the horse (nor mine on the haynet thread) stop judging other people and back off. I'm sure your not perfect.
 
Ours only undoes bolts, so as long as darling daughter remembers the kickover he's ok. He lets his next door neighbour out as well!
 
Just had to say this is rather entertaining to read, we have two Houdini's but I've never heard of such a large chap being like that, what a character he sounds. Hope you get it sorted but would love to see piccies!
 
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