Weaving - can it be controlled?

[breeze]

I was just wondering if anyone has had any success in reducing their horses weaving? I know the obvious - like out as much as possible, which he is. he comes in last and out first. the yard in an ideal world could be quieter.

But has anyone managed to help their horse do it less? i've tried a grill. he just weaves behind it.

he has a stable lick which he likes. but it hasnt really helped much. ignores his salt lick completely. he is never in without hay to nibble at but prefers to weave!

[nicolaj]

Don't think there is a magic cure for weaving, but I'm sure you already know that:) .

My horse weaves, but I am able to let him live out 24/7, so is very rarely if at all left in a stable. I have popped him in a spare one now and then if raining and wanting to change rugs and feed, he does still weave, but not as badly as he did. He just kicks at the door as he wants to go out.

I've read that stable mirrors sometimes help, as with some it is a stress response to being alone and not being able to see his friends. The mirror tricks them into thinking there is another horse in there as well. Mine used to weave at the field gate if all his buddys came in, but now he might hang about at the gate, but gets bored and goes off to graze. So in my horses' case it is due to him being alone and stressing about it.

You could try filling the stable with loads of toys and things, but this will only help if it as boredom problem.

To be honest, if you are able to, then leave him out 24/7 then that would probably be best, but I appreciate that this is not always possible at some yards.

[Jessey]

My filly started dancing (and major box walking) and looking like she was just on the verge of starting to weave so I hung a likit treat ball thingy in the door way, that stopped the dancing in its tracks :D
But given your boys problem sounds deeper routed, have you tried something like pro/pre biotics? I seem to remember reading somewhere that horses that stress while in can make themself feel worse as the stress upsets the bacteria balances in the gut which becomes uncomfortable and makes them more stressed and so on, so maybe it may help reduce one part of the trigger?
I also use lavander oil for stressy horses, it really can help them settle and break that habbit :D

J x

[breeze]

I dont think its a being on his own thing. he is always in with others. and if you take his field mates out the field he will happily be there on his own. he doesnt even come to the gate. (there are others nearby he can see). i tried him out at night alone but he starting getting funny and getting nasty around the gateway. so i put him back in at night, he seemed to be ok for a day or so (well, wanting to come in anyway) but then went back to his old self. he'll be out though as from a few weeks so summer will be fine. but then next winter will soon come!

sometimes i need to tack up etc in the stable though. he just doesnt like being in there. so it makes life awkward - when its raining etc. same for dentist and anything else needing to be done inside.

dont know much about pro/pre biotics. i'll look it up.

How do you use the lavender oil?

[Jessey]

Just mix it 2 drops to 5 mls of a carrier (grape seed, olive oil, aloe vera gel etc) and put a little on his poll or somewhere he can't lick at it. Its really good at helping them relax.
In acctual fact I am going to try that tonight for my filly (she is still box walking :rolleyes: )

J x