Why does my horse kick at night

D

Diane G

New User
Joined
30 March 2010
Messages
8
Visit site
(Also in Veterinary) My husband's horse has started kicking this stable at night. He was in a barn with 7 others with bars between so he could see his neighbours (we thought this was why he started doing it) He would kick at night in the early hours, when the yard owner checked him he would just be standing in his box, he gradually started doing it more and more and we moved him to another barn with my horse and one other which has solid wood between them so he can't see his neighbours, for about two weeks he hasn't done it. But apparently started again Sunday and Monday night. When the yard owner went out to check he wasn't distressed, just standing quietly. He has had his teeth, and back checked, he isn't hot or cold or hungry or thirsty. He never does it during the day. He is sound and doesn't have mites. He shows no sign of any discomfort when being ridden, handled etc. Anyone got any ideas? we are all at a loss as to what it could be.
 
I second what Mike says about rats or mice, but also, does the yard have cats?

Barn cats often curl up in corners, use stalls as their personal toilets, or even jump on backs sometimes. I have some horses that don't mind having a cat in their stall, or even on their backs, and then there are others that will kick and chase them out and be quite aggressive about it.
 
Thanks for that, We don't have cats, but probably Mice, maybe Rats have never seen any. The strange thing is it seems to be at 2am and 4am ish the yard owner says, unless she actually manages to get some sleep inbetween and doesn't hear him!
We are going to try matting on the walls and see if that helps, someone did suggest on another thread that it could be he just likes the noise.
 
Only time I've had that happen was with two horses that hated each other. That was kicking breeze blocks, but then again also involved mine rearing up and causing trouble.

That was a brother fighting with his due to foal half-sister, so moved them pronto!
 
I can't give you an answer but fully sympathise with you.

My livery has just had to move off as her horse suddenly started kicking our stable walls. Over an 8 day period he'd significantly damaged 3 walls, rendering two stables unable to be used until we've had them rebuilt. There were also kick marks on other walls but the front walls were made of blocks and it was those which gave way to his antics.

Never did find out why he took a dislike to them but I believe he is fine in his new yard.

Complete mystery.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top