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This is an archived Horseadvice.com Discussion. The parent article and menus are available on the navigation menu below:
HorseAdvice.com » Horse Care » Horse Pasture, Fencing, Barns » Pastures, Fences, & Building topics not covered by the above »
  Discussion on Scratching post
Author Message
Member:
kriseyc

Posted on Friday, Mar 23, 2012 - 11:59 pm:

Hi Folks, I'm looking to buy or build a good scratching post for a 23 yr old mare whom has an arthritic LF knee and does not like to regularly lie down & roll, but needs to scratch from time to time. (Esp. shoulders)

I have seen folks use broom ends etc.
I would love to see some ideas that have proved successful from some of the clever folks on this site.
Many Thanks in advance
IKE
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Saturday, Mar 24, 2012 - 12:43 pm:

Ike,

Perhaps the material shown in the following U-Tube will be of interest of you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgDVfUr-7P4

It was create especially to satisfy itchy horses and can be attached to stall walls, door edges or posts.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 - 5:11 pm:

I have improvised and used an artificial turf entrance mat, fastened to a fence rail with hose clamps. If I were to go that route again, I would use bolts instead. My mat is almost worn out - needs to be replaced.
However, the Equine Scratcher shown in the youtube video that VickiZ posted looks like it would work well.
I will look it up and see how much they want for that.
Lilo
Member:
lilo

Posted on Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 - 5:21 pm:

I just checked online and it seems that the heads of shop brooms work really well, and are preferred by horses over the plastic ones sold (at high prices) as equine scratchers. Have not tried that, but I might. It is just a matter of securing them really well. When I tried something similar with stiff grooming brushes mounted on a post, my mare started eating the bristles. That would not be a good thing, especially with plastic bristles.
Lilo
Member:
vickiann

Posted on Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 - 7:15 pm:

As another idea, there are scratchers that are mounted on metal posts, sunk into concrete, that are made for llamas.

They would probably be good for horses who are itchy too.

You could probably find them doing a search about llamas.

Could have given you one that I tore out and disposed of from my mountain farm as it was mounted too close to the barn and presented a hazardous gap in between.

I've been thinking about putting up some of those scratching sheets as shown in the U-Tube but this summer my horses will have access to more trees in an additional pasture so that will likely be sufficient for their purposes.
Member:
kriseyc

Posted on Sunday, Mar 25, 2012 - 11:13 pm:

Thanks VickiZ, that scratcher looks great, although might be a bit more $$ than I'd like to put out. Great Idea Lilo...I'm thinking I might check out my local "dollar" store for some thick door mats and bolt them to solid fixture's like you suggest.
Many Thanks Ladies :-)

IKE
Member:
leilani

Posted on Monday, Mar 26, 2012 - 4:55 pm:

I have an 'itchin post' and the mares and donks love it.
Member:
lilo

Posted on Monday, Mar 26, 2012 - 9:12 pm:

Leilani - what is your "itching post" covered with? Always looking for new ideas. Lilo
Member:
leilani

Posted on Tuesday, Mar 27, 2012 - 5:18 pm:

I Lilo,

Really it's an itchin post: https://www.itchin-post.com/

The mares and donks love it.
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