Q&A: Help With a Destructive Pony

My daughter has a pony that is extremely destructive to everything around him. If we leave a halter and lead rope hanging outside his stall door, he finds a way to get his lips on them and drag them into his stall and then has his way with them. Or, if we put a fly mask on him, he figures out how to squirm out of it and then rips it to shreds. Any advice?

Clinton’s Answer:

Just like humans, horses are individuals and each has their own quirks and tendencies. Some are laid-back and get along in life with no worries, while others are busybodies and tend to destroy anything they can get their lips on.

Sometimes horses that like to play with objects lack mental stimulation, meaning they’re bored. Not always, of course, but it’d be worth your while to make sure your horse is getting turned out and worked with on a regular basis.

You could even try giving him a toy to play with. A few of the cow horses I have in my barn are very playful and inquisitive. We got them those horse-safe balls you see in tack stores, and they love playing with them when they’re in their stalls. It gives them something to focus on and a way to keep their lips busy.