Substances to put other horses off of my rugs!

Twiglet

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My horse is having his rugs ripped by his field mates on a regular basis (7 heavyweights destroyed in a year!). I'm sure it's his own fault as he likes to play - aka wind everyone up - but that doesn't help me with my rug issues.
Don't really want to use cribbox as it's sticky, and nothing that's obviously going to be particularly messy....anything else that might deter them from getting their teeth on his rugs?
As far as I can see that's as far as it goes, and I'm sure it's a case of boredom + no grass but I can't afford a new HW turnout every two weeks.
 
What is the dernier of the rugs you have been using? Anything less than 1200 will rip easily when they like to play.

Sometimes it might pay in the long run to spend more on a rug that will stand up to the winter of boredom, I've seen a few around in the sales so you might get lucky and pick up a bargain :)


Failing that, I'd buy the cheapest rain sheets you can, and use them to cover the more expensive winter rugs
 
1200 denier, lovely HW Premier Equine destroyed :( Also a Bucas :( Have given up buying expensive, quality ones as they're getting ripped as well as the cheaper ones.
 
1200 denier, lovely HW Premier Equine destroyed :( Also a Bucas :( Have given up buying expensive, quality ones as they're getting ripped as well as the cheaper ones.

How fustrating :( The best I've found is a Fal rug, I got mine pretty cheap off ebay (it was new), might be worth a look?

Aside from that, start counting down the days until spring...?? :)
 
How fustrating :( The best I've found is a Fal rug, I got mine pretty cheap off ebay (it was new), might be worth a look?

Aside from that, start counting down the days until spring...?? :)

I think it would literally break my heart to find a FAL rug ripped to pieces! I'm going to go with the spray for now and see what happens....if all else fails, I'm going to start chucking him out naked :p
 
Does he need a rug cos when he feels a proper nip he will soon make sure he avoids this playing.

He's not clipped and he's quite hardy, but I wouldn't credit him with the brains to link being bitten = hurt = stop playing. And as bad as it is, I'd almost rather new rugs than vets bills!
 
Bitter apples spray, an old remedy think you can get from chemists still. We used it years and years ago when youngsters used to chew manes and tails.
 
Please do not consider leaving the rugs off ....... my horse was bullied a couple of years ago, again like you partly his fault as he is one to play, however this other horse would not take the hint. Mine had a rug on which was constantly being mended but along with this he had the top part of his tail pulled out. It was a large very sore point. 2 years on and it has only just grown back. All I can think of now is what state would he of been in if he was naked. I moved him to another field before the winter was done.

x
 
Cribbox go a spray on version which I have used to teach my youngsters not to chew the rugs in their stable - worked really well
 
Please do not consider leaving the rugs off ....... my horse was bullied a couple of years ago, again like you partly his fault as he is one to play, however this other horse would not take the hint. Mine had a rug on which was constantly being mended but along with this he had the top part of his tail pulled out. It was a large very sore point. 2 years on and it has only just grown back. All I can think of now is what state would he of been in if he was naked. I moved him to another field before the winter was done.

x

Knowing my darling horse, he is likely to be the one starting the arguments, and I can't imagine anything much smaller than an elephant bullying him. The rugs are probably getting ripped in defence unfortunately....
 
Bitter apple works but a quick fix is white pepper -smear some vaseline or any ointment where you want it to stick and sprinkle liberally.
 
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