Advice Needed pleaseee.. Separation Issues!!!!

[Hootey123]

I have my mare a 3 yr old gelding at mine. I bought him a few months ago.. I'm having a slight issue as he isn't happy when I take my mare out or even lunge her in front of the stable he tried to jump out over stable door. So I am now going to try too every day take her away for 10 mins+ and shut the top of the stable door.. i did this and he was rearing up kicking door and very unhappy.. I bought her back after about 10 mins and he was quite a stressed and had a small cut on fetlock.. If i do this every day for a bit longer each time am I doing the right thing?? I wouldn't leave him in field as I'd be worried that he'd get over hedge.. I just want some advice for a piece of mind & hoping i'm doing it this way is right & he'll get better in time! Please help

 

[putasocinit]

Idea is good, I personally would not close the top door (horses are herd animals and being shut in must be quite frightening imo) try giving a hay net during the time when he is on his own to give him something to do. It will get better, can you not take them both out together so he can see that you go away from the stables but you come back to the stables, security.

 

[Hootey123]

I gave him a molasses lick (which they only have as a luxury), a bowl of food and some haylage too try and keep him occupied but he didn't care about none of it... I hate too shut the stable door but it's safer than him jumping out and hurting himself. I can't take them both out together as iv'e only just started breaking him in and I really want them too do things sepraterly and not always rely on each other.. my mare is fine when he goes out just calls a bit and he's fine going out on his own! he just hates being left at the stables alone!! its such a tough one!! It was the first time i've taken her away and shut stable door today so just hoping he realises that she does come back & he gets better!!

 

[Orson Cart]

you could think about also getting a stable mirror for him ... might also help ... good luck!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

you could think about also getting a stable mirror for him ... might also help ... good luck!

Stable mirrors work very well with some horses, so I agree that it's worth a try.

I'd also put up a weaving grid rather than shut the top door.

 

[Hootey123]

Thanks i'll invest in one... i was going to try a grid but worried with the rearing he'd get his foot caught

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Thanks i'll invest in one... i was going to try a grid but worried with the rearing he'd get his foot caught

With the grid I have, the bars are very close together so a horse can't get a hoof between them.

 

[Hootey123]

Do you know what make it is?? I've been looking but the only one's i've found are too far apart ! Thanks

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I bought it years ago at TC Feeds/Tack Haven in Kensworth.

Maybe you could cut some wood to shape and have a solid wooden 'grid'?

 

[Hootey123]

yeah good idea.. thanks he does have a plastic window at the back which he can see out of so he isn't in complete darkness but i'd be happier that he could see out the front but not get out!