Chewing everything!

[Iron Maiden]

This is a new one for me, can anyone help! Whenever I catch P from the field she insists on chewing her leadrope before I can get her headcollar on. She grabs it in her teeth like a puppy, about a foot of rope disappears into her mouth (right up where her molars are), she mouths & chomps with a dreamy look then eventually (reluctantly) lets me retrieve the rope & normal service resumes. She seems to be getting hold of pretty much anything & giving it a chew at the moment, including my clothing! (but in a very non-aggressive way thankfully.) Could she be teething? She will be 5 in June. She saw a dentist in August who said she'd go at least 6 months before she would need to be seen again, but I'm wondering whether to get her checked again. She's showing no other symptoms that would concern me. Any thoughts?

[Sexy Sietske]

Nelson is grabbing and chewing everythin as well at the moment (has untied himself twice already by chewing and pulling the leaprope:rolleyes: ) he doesn't seem in any pain and is as happy as pie when he had something in his mouth be it be food, lead rope, another horse or me :eek: He is very bossy and playful with it though so im getting him a big stable lick for him to dig his teeth into and turning him out more so he can play with his follow horse friends instead of me :p Then if there is no improvement after a week or so (i think he is teething but he is only a yearling!!) then i will get a dentist out to take a look and make sure everything is ok :)

ETA : August was 6months ago :p

[kirstie]

I would of suggested the dentist until i read further down you'd only had them out recently if shes not showing other signs of discomformt that would suggest teeth problems then prehaps it could teething usually teething occurs before the age of 5 so it could be a possibility or it could be a habit

[Bluey's~Friend]

G'day! From my expirience, don't worry about it. She sounds like Bluey, chewing and nipping at EVERYHTIng, he even chews his lead rope. I'd say don't worry to much about it, you could go to the dentist, but I don't really think there is anything wrong with her. How long has she been doing this?

Gotta Gallop,

Bluey's~Friend

[poohsmate]

hi helen
iv'e had this problem with kaiser ever since iv'e had him 12years, and no matter how quick you are he always manages to get the rope and chew it.. it's more of a game now. i can beat him if i put it on my shoulder but then he's got the head collar itself before it goes over his muzzle:D :D
interestingly rommy whos stable faces kaisers has started to do it in the last few weeks!!!!! is he copying, or is kaiser teaching him (who knows!!):D :D

[Alfies-slave]

I have a 5 YO cob who chews everything, if ANYTHING is laid about, he just has to fiddle! He is a very bright and characterful horse! I was told it can be because they have been weaned too young and its a security thing. I am not sure about this though. My cob just has a very prehensile nose, he uses his nose and mouth almost like a hand. I believe he is exploring and playing in a fun way. He is the one out of the bunch who loves his stable toys. I think some horses are naturaly more playful than others.

There have been some worrying incidents. I found him chewing an aerosol of foot rot spary. On another occasion he found a shot gun cartridge. That nearly gave me a heart atack, fortunately it was spent!

It if it bugging you because he is wrecking stuff you could try using something like NAF no bite. Its a waterproof spray designed for cibbers and fence munchers. You can make it go further by mixing it with baby oil. It tastes bitter and soon puts them off munching.

[Iron Maiden]

Cheers all! Sounds like she's just being her inquisitive & contrary self. I'll get her checked out next time the dentist comes out to be on the safe side though.

[mogadoga]

Yeh just sounds like shes just having a nose. Alex is a pain. If you have a water proof coat on he pulls you with his lips...hes really playful in the field and he must think its out rugs lol. *so glad hes never ripped a rug* But if i have a jacket on thats not water proof then he doesnt bother, he finds something else to play with. And he is 6. This started last year at 5. :)

[katenco]

A pony i knew chew everything and anything in his sight, especially the lead rope, and he was 14! seems he didnt grow out of it!!