I found out something interesting!!

[Midge]

I have a weaver and I was resently told that a product called "Settlex" from Feedmark can cure this?? Someone at my friends yard uses it and says it works for all sorts of vices, cribbing, box walking etc. They say, because horses are grazers and we tend to starve them by stabling them, the acids in there stomach increases causing them to get "indigestion". They say, they can even get stomach ulcers? This all makes logical sense to me!!! Has anybody else heard of this??

[Tangle]

I've heard something similar. I think rather than being starved, stabled horses tend to get one or two big feeds a day, rather than grazing continuously for a big chunk of the 24 hours. This leaves their stomach empty for much longer periods than it would be naturally, during which time it will be exposed to acid that should be helping to digest the food that isn't there. Too much acid can lead to stomach ulcers, in humans as well as horses.

There's more information here here (http://www.intelligenthorsemanship.co.uk/content.asp?id=5&doc=41)

I don't think any product can be said to cure these vices - it just helps to take away the trigger that makes the horse carry it out.

reading the article, though, I'm not sure Settlex would work as well for weavers or box walkers if it's a straight antacid. Cribbing and windsucking seem to actually give the horse some physical relief from discomfort - the action increases saliva production which will dilute the stomach acid. I'm not sure whether weaver's weave in response to stomach acid or from some other trigger (boredom?), in which case an antacid would be unlikely to help :(

Interestingly, Feedmark's site doesn't reference vices at all regarding Settelex....Feedmark (http://www.feedmark.com/show_product.asp?productid=53&referer=)

[Midge]

That article is really interesting!! Do you know where I could find similar articles for weaving???

[Tangle]

Try this one:

horsedata (http://www.horsedata.co.uk/weaving.htm)
or go to google - I searched for "weave horse" and it came up with quite a few relevant sites :).

Further to what I said previous (my little brain had a few more thoughts :p), I think the general consesus is that weaving and box walking are more likely to be triggered by isolation anxiety - horses evolved to live in a herd and most want company. Maybe you could try a stable mirror? I've also heard of radios being used (assuming you've got somewhere safe to put it).

Hope that helps :)

[Midge]

Thanx Tangle,
His weaving is probably from his horrible passed. I been told he was "Evil". He scared the hell out of people and was always anxious!! I've been told that he would freak out at nothing and start hoping around (cat leaping??)? He has calmed down so much since I've had him that people keep saying they can't believe the change in him. He's so calm and relaxed now!!
He only weaves when I change his rug or when I'm in the feed room getting his food. I give him loads of love, never shout at him (never hit!!!!) and I recently read Kelly Marks's book on Good Manners. I learnt loads of good tips and have done some of the exercises. I think that has helped a lot?

[Tangle]

Sounds like he needed some sympathetic handling, rather than being treated as difficult/nast/dangerous :(. Looks like you're doing really well - good luck with him :)

[Midge]

Thanx! I love him to bits!! That's why when I heard about the settlex, I thought it would be a great idea if it helped! I'll do anything to make his life better!!