Rugging up tantrum

[Pibstar]

What could cause a horse to scratch their right shoulder and belly when their rug comes off? ~ Mollie has often scratched her right shoulder but really went for her belly today causing a light pink shadow to come through.

And then when you go to put a rug back on they start acting up? ~ three times now (no one else has noticed it) when putting her rug back on she goes into a tantrum. first time it was like she wanted to bite me but wouldnt dare, second time she threw her head around and then today she was stamping her back legs.

I thought maybe she has been too hot, so only had her one stable rug on the last three or four days, so cant really be that. She has been in alot more over the last two weeks, so maybe she is just acting up. She had/has mud fever on the back of her front legs which is now clearing up (tantrums started after MF).

any ideas????

[kat1]

Rosie always has a sctratch of her middle when rugs come off - she needs clipping again though so I think she is itchy

[Rarah]

No ideas - my mare is generally pretty grumpy this time of year and takes exception to her rugs too.

I wish she could speak to me and tell me what the problem is.

[laceyfreckle]

check where the cross surcingles are attatched to the rug they are loose enough and not irritating her when done up;)

[zippytys]

Have you washed her rug recently? Mine had a reaction to detergent a few years ago, it made him really itchy and sore.

[Pibstar]

No ideas - my mare is generally pretty grumpy this time of year and takes exception to her rugs too.
you might be right, she has been in alot.

Lacey - her rugs fit her but moving around does seem to bring them tight around her chest.

Kat - glad she is not the only one. she has done the scratching for a while, seems to be something she just goes but the trantrum when putting rugs on is new.

What type of skin conditions can horses get? esp if they have been in alot.

[Pibstar]

Have you washed her rug recently? Mine had a reaction to detergent a few years ago, it made him really itchy and sore.

hi - some of her rugs have just come back from the cleaners but the ones this week are more than four weeks dirty.

[Joyscarer]

well there's certainly something going on there.

I know that is I have an itch, scratching it through my coat isn't as satifying as being able to get at bare skin so the reaction when the rug comes off isn't as worrying to me as the reaction you get when it goes back on.

First thoughts are how are you rugging up? I tend to chuck the rug on Joy and she isn't bothered by my lack of care in that respect. If you do the same maybe it would help to fold the rug in half and place it on. Take is slow and notice when she first reacts. Is it the placing on or just the doing up of the straps that she objects to?

After that I would consider the fit of the rug. Is it rubbing are the straps tight enough to hold it in place but loose enough to allow rolling without being too tight.

Has the rug been washed in a detergent? I do my numnahs without.

If it hasn't been washed, does it need to be?

Does the horse need the rug? Maybe she doesn't want it and is trying to tell you.

[Pibstar]

Hi joyscarer:

Is it the placing on or just the doing up of the straps that she objects to?

Mollie sounds like joy, very laid back so wouldnt be bothered if you placed it on or half chucked it on. although I might try and be more careful when pulling up against her hair, just to make sure

After that I would consider the fit of the rug. Is it rubbing are the straps tight enough to hold it in place but loose enough to allow rolling without being too tight.

She has had the same rug for at least a year this might cause the scratching if it is rubbing her but you I am not so worried about that it more the putting back on - this has changed.

Has the rug been washed in a detergent? I do my numnahs without.

Her rugs go to the dry cleaners (would need to check) however this rug is at least four weeks old and the reaction is no more than 6 days old.

If it hasn't been washed, does it need to be?

very possible - how often do you wash your rugs? this rug is at least four weeks dirty

Does the horse need the rug? Maybe she doesn't want it and is trying to tell you.

more than likely yes, i think she would be happier a hairy monster nude rolling around in mud. she has been stabled alot (weather) but is clipped regular so needs to be rugged up esp with snow warnings on there way.

[Portia]

Mrs B was getting a bit tetchy over her rugs, running my hand over her shoulders and down the front I could feel just a bit more heat than usual, no evidence or rug rub otherwise. Have started with anti-rub bibs and she seems much more comfortable again, not trying to tell me something was bothering her.

[Pibstar]

Mrs B was getting a bit tetchy over her rugs, running my hand over her shoulders and down the front I could feel just a bit more heat than usual, no evidence or rug rub otherwise. Have started with anti-rub bibs and she seems much more comfortable again, not trying to tell me something was bothering her.

what are anti-rub bibs? Now I am 32 weeks pregnant and have bought baby bibs but I didnt think i would be buying horsey bibs :p:D

[poniesrule]

Last winter my old mare would bend her head around and bite her armpits (!) after i took her rug off in the evening. I think it was a heat issue, so i was careful what rugs i put on her,especially on milder days.

[Portia]

what are anti-rub bibs? Now I am 32 weeks pregnant and have bought baby bibs but I didnt think i would be buying horsey bibs :p:D

They're thin half-length rugs that are usually made of either lycra or a silky material, and are designed to protect the shoulder and wither area from friction created by heavier rugs. B was clipped back in november so much of her coat has re-grown, apart from where her rugs have rubbed - feels like short stubble. Bossy bibs are good, but there are others makes available :

www.bossysbibs.com

[connieD]

ive just had massive problems with this and finally think ive found the solution.

does your rug have satin/silky anti rub bits in the shoulders??

my girl had a silky anti rub vest and as she was walking it was building up static which was then giving her little shocks and making her incredibly itchy to the point she would drag her self along the floor, bite her shoulders and belly and almost boot me one when i tried to rug her.

rug vest gone and now, as far as i can see so has the problem!