Just moved to new facility. Pasture mate is ripping velcro straps on Rambo neck covers. Tried spraying with cayenne. Not only are the neck covers not staying on, he is chewing on the straps and damaging. Those neck covers are expensive and my horse really needs in this weather. Would wrapping gorilla tape around the neck work and would it be safe. Any ideas?
I don’t know if this applies to your turnout, but when this was happening to my horse, a large part of the problem was that they did not have access to quality forage. They had nothing to do in turnout other than using each other as chew toys. I started throwing a couple hay play bags with alfalfa out with them which was also annoying and expensive, but successful.
3 Likes
Could you try rubbing Irish Spring soap on the neck cover, rather like rubbing boards to stop chewers?
Just like boards, you would have to reapply if there’s a precipitation event.
I can’t really see gorilla tape being much if any of a deterrent- might actually be the opposite: flapping ends of tape just ASKING to be grabbed and pulled
1 Like
He just likes to play with velcro. There are 6 horses on 25 acres with plenty of forage provided. Thanks for your response!
1 Like
Raplast – don’t stand downwind!
1 Like
Thank you! No applied deterrents seem to work. Was considering wrapping Gorilla tape complete around the neck.
I’ve used it to repair blankets. My worry would be …is there any way the offending horse could tighten around his neck…
7 Likes
Could you put a muzzle on the offender?
Otherwise add more RapLast. Like coat it liberally.
Vasoline works but it’s so yuck for barn workers and messy.
2 Likes
Yes, I understood the wrapping part, but there WILL be an end for the horse to grab, with the potential as @NaturallyHappy mentioned.
Could the offending horse be removed from/replaced in the group by a horse without the predilection for destroying covers/blankets?
I wouldn’t do that. If any one of the million things than can go wrong, did go wrong, I’d want the hood to be able to tear away, not cause a more prolonged struggle because of the duct tape.
9 Likes
You might try one of those thick heavy fly sheets OVER your current set up. They’re pretty indestructible.
These guys actually used to make a winter blanket with this as the outer most layer…
Oh, they still do. Here it is. Great for those sharky turnout friends.
6 Likes
I. hope the barn manager is on it. moving one or the other horse an easy solution.
Is not only your problem, is the barn’s problem also, their responsibility to see all is working well, including turnout.
2 Likes
Im having the same issue this winter- gelding games at their finest! right now Im putting a sacrifical combo neck (shires brand) over my geldings rambo optimo and rambo neck. So far they are only playing (both the other two geldings and the blanket wearer himself) with the velcro on the sacrifical blanket- my plan is to replace the velcro with buckles once they rip both velcro parts off.
Hopefully by covering his more expensive blankets I wont have to replace them- and can just modify/replace the Shires one as needed!
(for context, all 3 horses are mine- and recieive unlimited high quality forage. They just LOVE to play!)
@4BranchFarm - How are you doing that? I have the same issue with a playful gelding and would happily sacrifice a cheaper blanket!
I just bought the shires in the next size up and put that on top of his more expensive blankets (ie. hes normally an 84, so I got the Shires Combo neck blanket in an 86 or 87 so it covers everything) and out he goes! then they spend their time pulling on the Shires!
They did once get the shires open and then got to the rambo hood- but I just fix the shires every time I see it starting to get opened and that seems to work!
2 Likes
This is exactly why my “young” horse lost Rambo privileges and no hoods/full necks. He’s in SmartPak Ultimate blankets now for the replacement guarantee and only high necks because one of his buddies destroyed a hood the first day.
They aren’t as “nice” as the Rambos but I’ve received up probably close to 10 replacement blankets by now between 100g, medium, and heavy weights.
3 Likes
This morning I saw a video on FB where someone put in a zipper on their Rambo neck cover for exactly this reason.
2 Likes
ugh dealing with this too for the first time this winter. A 4 yr old tb in the field now. And my gelding has stepped up to the plate to be his playtime buddy. And why not? he doesn’t pay the bills.
3 Likes
That’s a good idea as well! Thanks!
1 Like
I can definitely say these sheets are tough! My guy goes out with one of those flysheets on over his regular blankets and sheets. You can see the various spots where someone has grabbed at him but leaves his blanket/sheet underneath intact.
