why does he hate rugs?

[coen]

My 5 yr old gelding really objects to having a rug put on. He is usually so friendly but as soon as I pick up the rug his ears go back and he walks to the back of the stable and spins his bum round. None of them rub and he is fine when its actually on. I would go without but he is very thin skinned and also needs to put on weight.

Any suggestions I really don't understand it.

 

[Booboos]

Does he get hot and itchy in them? Could he have a skin allergy? Or a back problem so that the rug is too heavy and painful, e.g. on the withers? Has he been scared in the past by a rug going on and is scared of a repeat experience?

 

[saddlesore]

My TB HATED having rugs pulled about when on him. I folded his rug over, placed on gently, took time to smooth it back etc etc. Over time he stopped reacting to the rug as he knew I was going to be nice about it - but he ALWAYS kept a beady eye on me!!!
(quick question -sorry to hijack

- but how many horses do get too hot under their rug? My boy is in 100g. no neck, and we have had a decent frost in the morning and he still seems itchy? )

 

[Booboos]

I have a chesnut with various allergies and a tendency to overreact to stimuli, and he is not very keen on his rugs either. Given half a chance he gets them off! I suspect there is some skin discomfort underlying the behaviour which might get worst if he gets hot but we're still in the middle of allergy testing with the vet.

 

[coen]

He hasn't had a bad experience with me but sometimes another lady puts him out.
He is never sweaty so don't think he is too hot. I had his back done last month but if this persists I will get it checked again.
Im starting to wonder if he may be ticklish, he is quite sensitive so I will try what you did and be really gentle. Hopefully it will work. Thanks for the advice, I have never had this problem before

 

[3Beasties]

My gelding used to be very grumpy when having his rug changed, he was always OK with me (would just pull faces) but if another horse was near by he would go for them with his teeth. He once kicked me when I first got him when I was changing his rug but he never dd it again

On one occasion when I was away at my Grandads memorial I left mum in charge of him, she went out to change his rug and as she was doing the surcingles he swung round and bit her on her side. She had a massive lump and you could see every one of his teeth in bruises, she said he more or less lifted her off the ground

5 years later she still has a small lump and she has never been very keen on him since.

I had his back done and he has been fine (ish) since!