Horse weaving when tied up..?

Question

My horse sometimes weaves at feed time, in his stable or sometimes when he is tied up. he doesnt show speration anxiety or any sort of stress however he still continues to weave. Is there any way i can teach him to stand quietly when tied up?

Answer 1

My TB does this, I provide him with stable toys to entertain him but when he weaves I just leave him to it. He had a bad start as a youngster which led to him starting to weave and now it's just his way of coping with stress. As with any vice, if you stop them by restraint rather than management (ie putting a crib biting collar on a cribber rather than addressing why they crib, for example) will only stress the horse further because they have no way of relieving their anxiety. With my TB I aim to entertain him as best I can (with toys etc.) as its stress and boredom with him (he was left in a stable for 16 weeks as a baby with barely any food or water). However, when he does get stressed and weave, I don't punish him for it, I just take his mind off the problem. For example, if he's stressing because a horse has left the yard (he hates to think he's missing out) I'll put his ball in with treats in, he rolls it around and forgets about the horse leaving (he's easily distracted lol). Feel free to email me.

Answer 2

Barrel Racer said it, once a weaver, always a weaver.

It's bad habit brought on by the boredom of being stalled too much with no relief.  Long turnout on pasture may, over time, modify the weaving, especially if he has company.

Just something you need to understand and accept.  

Answer 3

Once a weaver, always a weaver...you cant fix it...however if it is at feeding time, then its prolly cuz hes excited about his food...in this stall its probably bordom...so get him a stall toy, my 3 yr old weaved like crazy cuz the barn we bought him from kept him inside basically 24/7, I bought him a Lik-it toy...and he loves it...now he only weaves if he gets stressed or scared... Its hard to say what causes it....my farrier (who is an amazing horse-man) said that the best thing for a weaver is to keep 'em outside...so my little guy only comes into his stall in extreme weather, like a blizzard or a hailstorm...other than that he is outside all day, all night with a shelter of course...

Remember, you can't fix a weaver...so try to cope with it... Good Luck, I know it gets fustrating!!

Answer 4

It might help to put him in cross ties - properly adjusted.

Make sure a horse buddy is in the barn (in sight) when he is.

Feed him first and you can groom with a hay net in front of him.

I have had no luck with stall toys - 11 horses and only 2 even look at the toys on rare days.

Other than that - put him outside.

Hang in there!

Answer 5

it is probably boredom. I suggest when he is tied up give him a haynet or invest in a HORSE STABLE TOY or salt l**k. This occupies his mind and hopefully will break the habit

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good luck x