How to combat Winter Stable Vices

Stable Vices can occur during long winter periods

As cosy as it can be, it is known fact that a stable is an unnatural environment for a horse. As a result, it is common for some horses develop abnormal behaviours, also known as stable vices. So, to help you prepare for the next few months, at Tic Tac Equestrian we've rounded up a few ideas and helpful info to make sure you and your horses enjoy peace of mind and have a lovely winter!

At this time of the year, many horses spend longer periods stabled, so some stereotypic behaviours such as weaving - caused when a horse leans its head over the top of a stable stall and grazes from side to side - and crib biting - where a horse periodically chews on wood inside the stable - become more common. 

It is thought that some traditional deterrents such as anti-weave grilles - stainless steel grills mounted on stall doors - and cribbing collars can cause more harm than the vices themselves so many owners look for alternatives. 

First of all, it is recommended that you turn your horses out as much as possible to avoid long, lonely periods in the same space, and it is also thought that larger paddocks may also help prevent boredom or feelings of stress within the confines of a stable.

Increased exercise and social activities are widely considered to be the best first line of defence against stress/boredom-related Stable Vices and sometimes, even putting up large pictures of other horses within the stable has been known to keep some horses calm and more comfortable by themselves.

There is some mystery surrounding the exact causes of as crib biting, however, there may be a link to acids in the stomach, and antacid supplements are now available. Whereas, Weavers and box walkers  - horses that constantly walk back and forth within their stalls, sometimes out of anxiety or stress - can put strain on their limbs so in can help to make an opening at the back of the stable in order to give the horse a wider view and if possible, you can use rubber matting to alleviate any strain. 

Rubber matting on the floor and coconut matting on the door are also useful tips to prevent horses from pawing the ground and banging doors. Horses tend to avoid these activities if they stop making a noticeable sound. Although many of these tips are universally effective, there is plenty of leeway for gentle experimentation on your own. There are a number of other simple, and perhaps more unorthodox ways of curbing Stable Vices by attacking the root causes such as boredom and stress. For example, stable owners have been known to let chickens into the yard, which gives a visual stimulus and can occupy horses who are left in their own space for long periods of time.

Above all else, if you are particularly worried about your horses behaviour, be sure to contact your local vet for advice. In the meantime, over the next few days we will be looking into some of the ways you can prevent boredom and unwanted physical effects brought on by Stable Vices in more detail, so be sure to check back for more info.

Pikuer Breeches

I love the legana pikuer breeches. They are my favourite horse riding breeches / jodhpurs. I wear the white pikuer legana breeches when show jumping with my horses. They are very comfortable and flexible, have velcro fasteners round the ankles and full sued seat – the suede jodhpur seat goes down the leg for extra grip on the saddle. The legana breeches also have a great pocket on the front left of the jods for money, mobiles and jumping tickets. You can buy ladies pikuer legana breeches from only £99.99 at TicTac Equestrian or Equestrian Discounts.

You can see a video on the ladies white pikuer legana breeches on the www.tictacequestrian.com website.

Equiport Show Jacket

I am so excited as I have just received my very own, made to measure and made to order Equiport show jacket. With these show jumping jackets you can select the material type and style, buttons, colar style and colour, lining colour, number of pockets and have the show jacket made to measure. The Equiport show jumping jackets are stunning and very sought after. Each jacket takes around 2 months to order and make. You can see mine here and me show jumping in my Equiport jacket here. I selected a wool jacket but TicTac Equestrian also have sell the technical jackets – which you can throw in the washing machine!

Buy yours from only £359.99 at TicTac Equestrian or Equestrian Discounts.

Gatehouse Riding Hat

I have just purchased the F1 Gatehouse riding hat for my BSJA show jumping competitions. I have a very small head and really struggle to find riding hats that fit me and don't look enormous on my head. I cannot wear champion riding hats for this reason, but have found that the gatehouse riding hat range all seem to fit my small head well. My favourite two are the F1 riding hat range and the limited edition silver skull caps.

I have the black and silver F1 riding hat, but they have just brought out a new range with diamontes surrounding the front air vent. They also sell the F1 riding hats with the air vents in black. All gatehouse riding hats come with their own branded hat bags.

The F1 Gatehouse riding hats are £ at TicTac Equestrian or Equestrian Discounts and the Special Edition Silver Skull Caps are £ at TicTac Equestrian or Equestrian Discounts.

Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad

Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad about four years ago for my old horse as we had been told she had a cold back. She would stiffen up and bronk around the school for a few laps before she would relax and I could start to work her. Since using the pad I have seen a complete transformation in her behaviour. I put the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad on for fifteen minutes then tack up and we have not had any bronking since. I couldn’t live without this pad and now use it on my youngster.

The pad has three settings low, medium and high and each session lasts for 30 minutes but you don’t need to use it for the full time. The battery lasts for ages and the control is really easy to use. My horses go to sleep when I put the pad on they stand with their head on the floor and their eyes half closed. The Equilibrium Therapy Massage Pad can be purcahsed for only £249.99 at Tic Tac Equestrian.

Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps

My horse wore the Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps throughout the winter this year. He had them on overnight while stabled for about 12 hours.

I really like these chaps because they fit your horse’s leg really well and don’t fall down and drag on the ground. Although they are a neat fit, they still allow enough room for movement. My horse has sensitive skin and rubs easily but they didn't cause any chafing even though they were worn for long periods of time.

His legs swell up overnight, particularly his back right leg, which suffered an injury three years ago. The Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps helped keep his legs warm but not only that there was no swelling to be found the next day. What I like about the detachable magnets is that you can move them to where you want or where your horse has had an injury.

The chaps are very well made and still look as good as new even though they are two years old. They seemed to repel dirt and my bedding didn't tend to stick to them too much. When they did look a tad dirty I just took the magnets off and put them in the washing machine.
There are quite a few Velcro straps, meaning they were a bit of a hassle to get on due to the fact the Velcro was extremely sticky but this meant that they fitted to the leg very well and stayed in place each night.

The Equilibrium Therapy Magnetic Chaps are quite expensive but worth every penny. I now know that my horse’s legs aren’t going to swell up like balloons if I keep him in overnight. Brilliant product and can be purchased online at Tic Tac Equestrain for just £64.99.

Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull

The Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull is by far the best that I have ever worn. It fits wonderfully and the design is exceptional. The skin coloured straps are very soft leather and look really good. I also love the way that the hat fastens and the shape. I wear mine with a black or navy hat silk and it really looks good with the silver showing at the front. The hat complies with extra safety regulations to normal hats meaning that your head is definitely protected! It was expensive but worth the extra money for the silver one as it looks good!!

I bought the Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull to ensure I had the highest standard of protection while eventing my horses. Fortunately it hasn't been tested in a fall but I have watched the safety demonstrations on YouTube and it has put my mind at ease. I'm pretty impressed with how comfortable the hat is, the harness is exceptionally soft, the fastening clip is easy to use, and I feel it looks rather smart when fitted with a velvet cover. I have been a little disappointed that the nylon chin strap seems to work loose over time and needed re-adjusting each time I mounted up to ensure the hat remained secure. It can even work loose while out on a long hack, so I have put a small stitch through it to ensure it remains firm. Even with this minor irritating issue, I will buy another Gatehouse HS1 Jockey Skull when my current one needs replacing, as I feel safe and secure knowing my head is well protected. This product can be purchased from Tic Tac Equestrain for only £98.99.

Hy Guardian Fly Rug & Fly Mask

This Hy Guardian Fly Rug has to be one of the best on the market right now. It ticks all the right boxes from price to fit. I bought this rug last summer for about £60.00 and it is still on the go. It comes with a matching fly mask and handy storage bag.

Hy Guardian Fly Rug is very tough but soft to touch so it didn’t rub my horse. I turn him out with his fly rug even when I know there will be a few showers as the fabric is quick drying.

My yard has a lot of fly’s and clegs so I like my horse to be completely covered so he doesn’t get eaten alive. I really liked that this rug had a belly cover and long tail flap but the best feature of this rug is the neck. It has four Velcro straps which are great since my horse has quite a fat neck.

Derby House sell their own brand fly rug which is basically identical to the Hy Guardian Fly Rug. It is very popular due to its price. The Hy Guardian Fly Rug and Mask can be purchased on Tic Tac Equestrain for only £54.99.

Jumpstack Bale Covers

I love to practice jumping with the Jumpstack Bale Covers. All you have to do is pop a bale of hay or straw into the cover and fold over the edge. They are easy to move and you can leave them outside as they are waterproof.

The Jumpstack Bale Covers come in all different designs and colours and are great for helping me bring on my youngster. You can use the covers as wings, fillers or jump them on their own. I found that they helped my horse get braver and we haven’t had a problem with any filler we see at shows now.  Another benefit of the covers is that they don’t hurt quite as much as traditional wings when you get thrown into them! The Jumpstack Bale Covers can be bought online from Tic Tac Equestrain for only £10.99.

Likit Boredom Breaker

I have a really playful, mouthy horse who gets into everything. He loves all his toys but the Likit Boredom Breaker one seems to be his favourite! You can choose from loads of different flavours and it keeps him amused for hours.

I bought the this toy when he broke his leg and was stabled for months. He struggled being in spilling his water buckets, box walking and trying to barge out. Once I put theLikit Boredom Breaker in he was a different horse! This product can be purchased for only £29.99 at Tic Tac Equestrain.

Nellie O’Neils Sock Chaps

The Nellie O’Neil Sock Chaps are a very fashionable, comfortable sock that comes up to your knee. They provide grip and protection just like a half chap but they don’t have the bulk. This means you get a better contact with your horse’s sides.

The sockchaps don’t fall down unlike my Dublin half chaps which fall down to my ankle every time I ride. You can wear them with your jodhpur boots and save time as you have no hard zippers or clips to do. TheNellie O’Neil Sock Chaps can be purchased for £11.99 at Tic Tac Equestrian.

Solo Comb

My gelding is terrible when it comes to tidying his mane, he's even not too happy when it comes to brushing it once a week.  Tasks like clipping, pulling and trimming are a nightmare as I get banged off every wall. He's 17 hands and a bit of a big boy.

Solo Comb was my last hope for trying to tame his thick, wild hair which goes in all ways.

I expected him to react the same way he does with everything else, but he literally fell asleep with his eyes closed and I finished his whole mane. It looks amazing and only took me about 20 minutes.

I absolutely love my Solo Comb. It's one of my must have products and worth every penny! All you have to do is follow the instruction and make sure you don’t try to do too much mane at the one time. Solo Comb can be purhcased at Tic Tac Equestrain for only £14.99.

Rok Lanark Riding Boot

Just bought a pair of the new Rok Lanark Riding Boots after a friend telling me they are just like the Tyne Muck Boots but cheaper. These boots have really impressed me as they are exactly the same but thirty pounds cheaper.

I live in this type of boot all year round because they do for every job. I ride in my boots but not only that I can walk in the muddy fields and through puddles without being worried that water or mud will get in. All you need to do is hose all the dirt off before you jump on board.

The boots are fully waterproof and the neoprene top can fold down for when it’s a hotter day. The removable insoles also help to keep your feet nice and toasty. The boots have reinforced toes and a spur rest. They are definitely a must for stable life! These can be purchased at Tic Tac Equestrain for only £62.99.

Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet

I’m sure you all know that British weather is not the best at times, and there is nothing worse than having a soaking wet horse that you have to wait for to dry before putting a rug back on. This is why I believe that the Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet is a must when it comes to riding outdoors, especially in winter. The Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet is designed to keep your horse warm and dry during exercise in the rain. The problem with some exercise
sheets is that they may not be breathable, however this 600 denier polyester sheet provides breathability with the additional benefit of a fleece lining, which
provides comfort for the horse and extra warmth. There is a filet string at the back of the exercise sheet to prevent it from being blown about in the wind. The
Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet features a cut away area to accommodate the rider’s leg. Another feature is the reflective piping, which creates an extra safety aspect, as well as the twin reflective strips. This additional feature makes the product more versatile as it could be used to hack out on the road to make cars more aware of you. The Mark Todd Waterproof Exercise Sheet can be purchased from only £32.99 at TicTac Equestrian.

Jump Stack Bale Covers

This product is defiantly one that will brighten up any jumping course or for additional jump fences for a cheaper alternative. The different designs bring in
colour combinations that are very bright and will make fantastic fillers. Ideal show jumping training aids with benefits for the younger and learner riders as well as the experienced. Can be used alone, as a complete jump or to compliment existing equipment as wings and filler. This is defiantly one of my favourite products for show jumping as it allows for easy conversion from bedding of straw and hay bales also. It is a really effective product that will benefit the horse and ride, it can also be recycled at the end of its life span which is very environmentally friendly. This Jump Stack Bale Cover can be purchased from TicTac Equestrian for £10.99.

Hy Lunge Cavesson

I always want to be use a lunge cavesson whilst lunging because I feel it is more secure and the weight of the lunge line on the bit itself may cause more damage then good. That’s why the Hy Lunge Cavesson is the perfect way to lunge securely and know the horse is as comfortable as it can be. The Hy Lunge Cavesson is manufactured in 1” wide polypropylene, which is a breathable
material, which will prevent rubbing onto the horses skin. The very strong metal nose fittings features a padded base that will add to the comfort for the horse, which will prevent any weight bearing areas inuring the horse. This is a product that will give the rider peace of mind that they know that lunging their horse can
now be down securely and comfortably. There are three buckles, fully adjustable on the nose and throat, which features a brow band attachment. This Hy Lunge Cavesson is available from TicTac Equestrian for £21.99.

Equilibrium Therapy Massage Mitt

As I have competition horses I find that they have many sore and tight spots and sometimes cannot meet the demands I am putting on them, I have been
searching for the correct product for a while now until I came across the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Mitt which had everything I needed to help produce my horses to the best of their ability and also help are sore or tight spots through their whole body. This mitt is easy to use and highly effective to work the neck, hamstrings and quarters, it can also be used on any major muscle groups. By having the Therapy Mitt it allows for easy use as I can get into all the hard to reach areas of the horse. After using this product I can say that it is a very effective product that I will be using again and again. From going to shows and at home as it is easy to carry as it comes with a storage bag, a rechargeable battery and charger which means that I can use the Equilibrium Therapy Massage Mitt in any location as it is lightweight and very compact, yet it still gets the best out my horses. The massage action stimulates muscles and blood flow, which helps the well being of the horse and reduces any sore or tight spots the horse may be dealing with. It goes in a ten-minute cycle, which just shows that the effectiveness of this product is huge as it does not take up a whole lot of time as I have a very busy schedule dealing with horses all the time and means that its quick yet very effective. This is defiantly a product that I recommend to any one with horses and you can purchase it at TicTac Equestrian for £94.99.

Mark Todd Fleece Exercise Sheet

This is defiantly not a product that I will every regret buying, for those extra cold
winter months this is the perfect way to keep our horse warm whilst in work,
especially a clipped horse. The exercise sheet has an outer and inner made from
fleece which is a very breathable material which is excellent for keeping the air
circulating and reducing any sweat build up. The Mark Todd Fleece Exercise
Sheet has many attachments, which will prevent it from slipping off or rubbing
onto the horse. The fastenings are hook and loop whither attachment, with a filet
string, which will give that extra secure hold. The design of the exercise sheet is
completely made to fit within the rider’s legs there is a cut away area that will
allow for the correct position whilst riding. The Mark Todd Exercise sheet has
gold piping colour and a bright blue outer binding set on a navy background; this
is a very eye catching colour combination. This product is available from TicTac
equestrian for £26.99.

Mark Todd Competition Over Reach Boot

The over-reach boots designed by Mark Todd are the boots I have been looking
for a long time, and these just tick all the right boxes. The boot I designed to fit
the horse’s hoof without turning therefore it offers the maximum protection
against over reaching. The use of a tough tear resistant outer fabric allows for a
longer lasting product using a neoprene inner. The Mark Todd Competition boot
is features include touch and close fastening with Mark Todd Logo. This over
reach boot is ideal for high levels of all equestrian activities due to its durability
and strength. The Mark Todd Competition Over Reach Boot is available from
TicTac Equestrian for £18.99.

Mark Todd Under Rug

For extra warmth in the winter months this is the perfect treat for your horse
to keep cosy. The Combo under rug is ideal for using under other Mark Todd
rugs, as it will act as a great complimentary rug. The unique design incorporates
a cotton outer to stop the rugs slipping over it making sure that it is securely
fastened with a single breast strap, double hook and loop neck fastenings with
low cross surcingle’s. The outer areas has a non-slip channel quilted cotton
with a 250g filling and a cotton lining which will act as a barrier for the hot air
to keep in circulation making sure your horse is kept warm during the winter
months. This product as a combo neck design can be worn with the hood or
folded back according to your horses needs. The design of the neck on this Mark
Todd Under Rug incorporates extra material at the withers, which will allow the
rug to stay secure when the horse is eating from the ground ensuring that there
is no rubbing or pulling of the rug that may cause discomfort to the horse. This
is defiantly a under rug that will ensure your horse is kept in good condition
through the winter season. This Mark Todd Under Rug is available at TicTac
Equestrian for £65.99.