Bored horses chewing wood

pippy · 10-28-2009, 12:28 PM

I have two horses in a paddock together. I can not tell which of the two is doing it, but either one or both has been a busy little beaver- literally!

Chewing on my NEW wood post and planks. Needless to say I am not happy w/ this destruction. I had not had a problem in the past, this has been their home all year- but with all this rain, I have no choice but to keep them in the paddocks all the time rather then pasture w/ little riding (no indoor and it's literally rained for 4 wks straight w/ exception of a few days here or there which I did ride then) - arena is a choice but- it is so slick out there, I thought it better to not put them out in that.
So I am sure it is from boredom. I have a jolly ball already- they don't look at it. I have an apple lick I just bought to try but otherwise, any ideas from you all out there?
I am considering coating the planks with an anti chew product but wondering which one works best? In addition to that- I am thinking to add metal strips around the planks to deter it.
But on the bright side- atleast they are not cribbing- yet! Hoping not to go there!

Valerie62 · 10-28-2009, 12:40 PM

My first thought was the possibility of running a strand of electric .... one zap and they'll not go near the wood again.

Gotta Love Duns · 10-28-2009, 12:44 PM

Just a thought but do they have a mineral & salt block? I know my guys become beavers when I run out of there blocks and don't replace them right away.

pippy · 10-28-2009, 01:04 PM

They have a salt block, they get pelleted grain per their weight (so their vitamins/mineral levels 'should' be fine) and good quality hay. Thing is- they've never done this before, and have been in this paddock since May so I think it is from boredom. We usually ride 4-5 times a week or free lunge & have them out to pasture. But not for the whole month of Oct as it's been nothing but rain. I think if it were mineral deficiency, all my horses would be doing this because they'd all be low (they are all on the same feed routine only difference is the amount of grain varies per horse to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients). But- only one or both in this particular paddock are doing it. It has been nothing but mud for 4 wks now, last two days it didn't rain so it dried out a *little* bit but still to wet to leave out on the grass pasture...I sure hope we get the warm dry November that I heard we are supposed to have.

I think I will put up some metal fencing around the wood to protect it and or- buy muzzles. If the electrician ever gets our electric work in the barn done, I could turn on a fencer and electrify it.

Druydess · 10-28-2009, 02:38 PM

My Arab. Solei, was stalled, and chewed wood when I got her. None of my others ever did, but they were pastured. Found that rubbing Ivory soap on the wood was a very cheap way of making wood very nasty. Tiik about a month of repeated applications here and there, but she won't even look at wood now...

Morgan Horse · 10-28-2009, 05:07 PM

we had two horses that were not bored but they chewed wood. All the minerals and salt were there. But we had thier teeth done and now our fences are saved... They were chewing to try to wear down thier front teeth. Like a beaver...

Horselady44 · 10-28-2009, 07:15 PM

I would def get their teeth checked and then I would make the wood taste nasty to them...make it so its very unpleasent to chew on the wood. Vinegar and lots of cheyenne(sp?) pepper works pretty well...or like someone said soap...I heard of gasoline too(but that cannot be healthy! Dont do that one please!

) Just make it so chewing is very very NOT FUN for them

fishing_trex · 10-28-2009, 07:53 PM

If your horses are anything like mine, they can have their hay gone in an hour. When that happens, they get bored. You might try small mesh hay nets, or make your own from 1.5" hockey puck netting. It takes them longer to eat and they have to work at it, so the hay lasts longer, leaving them less bored.

Luv2Game · 11-01-2009, 05:54 PM

FREE solution!! Spread poopy mud from their paddocks on the tops of the boards or on the posts....they won't touch 'em. Same as the soap, it will need re-applied after a rain, but at least it is free. If it isn't real muddy, put some of the dirt in a bucket and add some water. In a really muddy state, it is very easy, quick and free.

singing tree · 11-01-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luv2Game

FREE solution!! Spread poopy mud from their paddocks on the tops of the boards or on the posts....they won't touch 'em. Same as the soap, it will need re-applied after a rain, but at least it is free. If it isn't real muddy, put some of the dirt in a bucket and add some water. In a really muddy state, it is very easy, quick and free.

And who gets that lovely job

Good idea though. I may have to try that out myself....

Sirita_88 · 11-01-2009, 06:46 PM

You know, I have had really good luck with that supplement. Chew Stop or Chew Halt or something. I have given it to my horses in the stalls and they stop chewing. This is besides the mineral salt that is always available to them. But It works...

Luv2Game · 11-01-2009, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by singing tree

And who gets that lovely job

Good idea though. I may have to try that out myself....

LOL!!!!

I know, it is a crummy job.......I used one of those rubber horse bathing mits, it is washable, and makes the application very easy and fast. Guaranteed to stop the chewing of the wood that you apply it to.

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10-28-2009, 12:28 PM
pippy Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 2,300	Bored horses chewing wood I have two horses in a paddock together. I can not tell which of the two is doing it, but either one or both has been a busy little beaver- literally! Chewing on my NEW wood post and planks. Needless to say I am not happy w/ this destruction. I had not had a problem in the past, this has been their home all year- but with all this rain, I have no choice but to keep them in the paddocks all the time rather then pasture w/ little riding (no indoor and it's literally rained for 4 wks straight w/ exception of a few days here or there which I did ride then) - arena is a choice but- it is so slick out there, I thought it better to not put them out in that. So I am sure it is from boredom. I have a jolly ball already- they don't look at it. I have an apple lick I just bought to try but otherwise, any ideas from you all out there? I am considering coating the planks with an anti chew product but wondering which one works best? In addition to that- I am thinking to add metal strips around the planks to deter it. But on the bright side- atleast they are not cribbing- yet! Hoping not to go there! __________________ "It's never to late to live happily ever after."

10-28-2009, 12:40 PM
Valerie62 Yearling Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Washington, PA Posts: 786	My first thought was the possibility of running a strand of electric .... one zap and they'll not go near the wood again. __________________ *There's more to life than horses ----- but NOT much!*

10-28-2009, 12:44 PM
Gotta Love Duns Bombproof Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Dixonville, Alberta Posts: 10,799	Just a thought but do they have a mineral & salt block? I know my guys become beavers when I run out of there blocks and don't replace them right away. __________________ A penny saved is a penny you can spend on your next horse. http://nightfireranch.webs.com/index.htm

10-28-2009, 01:04 PM
pippy Started Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: minnesota Posts: 2,300	They have a salt block, they get pelleted grain per their weight (so their vitamins/mineral levels 'should' be fine) and good quality hay. Thing is- they've never done this before, and have been in this paddock since May so I think it is from boredom. We usually ride 4-5 times a week or free lunge & have them out to pasture. But not for the whole month of Oct as it's been nothing but rain. I think if it were mineral deficiency, all my horses would be doing this because they'd all be low (they are all on the same feed routine only difference is the amount of grain varies per horse to ensure they get the right amount of nutrients). But- only one or both in this particular paddock are doing it. It has been nothing but mud for 4 wks now, last two days it didn't rain so it dried out a little bit but still to wet to leave out on the grass pasture...I sure hope we get the warm dry November that I heard we are supposed to have. I think I will put up some metal fencing around the wood to protect it and or- buy muzzles. If the electrician ever gets our electric work in the barn done, I could turn on a fencer and electrify it. __________________ "It's never to late to live happily ever after."

10-28-2009, 02:38 PM
Druydess Coming two Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Deltona, Florida Posts: 1,557	My Arab. Solei, was stalled, and chewed wood when I got her. None of my others ever did, but they were pastured. Found that rubbing Ivory soap on the wood was a very cheap way of making wood very nasty. Tiik about a month of repeated applications here and there, but she won't even look at wood now... __________________ "Stupidity is an elemental force for which no earthquake is a match."

10-28-2009, 05:07 PM
Morgan Horse Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Calgary Posts: 397	we had two horses that were not bored but they chewed wood. All the minerals and salt were there. But we had thier teeth done and now our fences are saved... They were chewing to try to wear down thier front teeth. Like a beaver...

10-28-2009, 07:15 PM
Horselady44 Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Montana Posts: 2,437	I would def get their teeth checked and then I would make the wood taste nasty to them...make it so its very unpleasent to chew on the wood. Vinegar and lots of cheyenne(sp?) pepper works pretty well...or like someone said soap...I heard of gasoline too(but that cannot be healthy! Dont do that one please!) Just make it so chewing is very very NOT FUN for them __________________ A happy horse equals a happy rider!

10-28-2009, 07:53 PM
fishing_trex Greenbroke Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 3,444	If your horses are anything like mine, they can have their hay gone in an hour. When that happens, they get bored. You might try small mesh hay nets, or make your own from 1.5" hockey puck netting. It takes them longer to eat and they have to work at it, so the hay lasts longer, leaving them less bored. __________________ -- There are two ways to slide easily through life -- to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways will save you from thinking.

11-01-2009, 05:54 PM
Luv2Game Long Yearling Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,459	FREE solution!! Spread poopy mud from their paddocks on the tops of the boards or on the posts....they won't touch 'em. Same as the soap, it will need re-applied after a rain, but at least it is free. If it isn't real muddy, put some of the dirt in a bucket and add some water. In a really muddy state, it is very easy, quick and free. __________________ "Horses know nothing of money, status, beauty or accomplishment...Horses see only our hearts, and they accept or reject us based on what they find within... - Mary Midkiff

11-01-2009, 06:46 PM
Sirita_88 Started Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Mt. Juliet, Tennessee Posts: 2,423	Supplement You know, I have had really good luck with that supplement. Chew Stop or Chew Halt or something. I have given it to my horses in the stalls and they stop chewing. This is besides the mineral salt that is always available to them. But It works...