Advice re moving yards...please help

[dbendell]

I need some advice...I moved my two horses from our field on Saturday to a new all singing and dancing livery yard. The reason being I am going to need stabling for the winter for my gelding and the field where we were before didn't have any.

My mare and gelding had shared our previous field for a year but at the new yard are separated as mares and geldings are kept apart. They were however kept in fields next to each other so they could still see one another.

On Sunday night my mare became frantic that she wasn't with my gelding Dapper and attempted to get to him getting herself stuck in the fence causing numerous cuts to herself. Dapper also became frantic when he realised she was hurt and was rearing up etc. I had to get both of them in and keep them in stables opposite one another for them to calm down, then call the vet. Lady had to have antibiotics.

The following morning I put Lady back out and kept Dapper in for the day. Dapper then went out that evening in a field far away from her.

But today they are still calling constantly for each other and very disturbed. I just don't think they are going to settle and I feel like a terrible mother!!

I am tempted to go back to our field as I don't think this is going to work out...help please...what would you do?

Sorry its so long!!!!!

 

[china]

i would give it more time, they will settle down soon enough. its early days yet

 

[Gingerwitch]

At least give it till the weekend before you make any decisions. If they learn to be apart from each other it will be a benefit in the long run. Its horrible when you have two clingey horses (especially when they are both yours) as they stress so much when you have to take one away from its field or stable mate when you want to ride and what happens if one becomes injured and needs to be box rested. Good luck - you are not a bad mother

 

[dbendell]

The thing is people have said that to me, but when we were at the other field I could quite happily take one out without the other. Its as if they knew it was ok as he/she was going to be back soon! I know I sound as if I'm crazy but this is really getting to me...have been in tears all weekend. Lady now won't come anywhere near me and Dapper who always ran to me didn't want to know either this morning. I don't know if I can cope with this much longer...just longing to go back to the way things were.

Is it fair of me to separate them...feels like I'm separating husband and wife...even the vet said they were looking at each other lovingly!!!

 

[bhpride]

Considering they were ok being separated in the old home, maybe it would help not to keep either of them apart whether they're in or out for acouple of weeks until they've settled in more and are more secure, trying to keep them apart isn't doing much good at the moment and sounds like it's winding them up.

If it's any consolation I had real trouble with mine when I moved her last year - well massive trouble, a complete change in temperament

but it does pass and get better eventually. Can understand how worrying and stressful it is, it's not nice..felt like the worse owner in the world.

 

[bhpride]

oh bugger, just read mares and geldings are separated. That's my idea ruined then

lol. Would be helpful if they could go out together for a bit.

 

[dbendell]

I think I might just be best going back to our field...we were all happy there! Then I will have to find somewhere for the winter where they can be kept together. This YO is uncompromising and will not have them together.

 

[Gingerwitch]

I much prefer a mixed field, the boys tend to run around and annoy each other, and the girls tend to look haughtily down their noses until they get a little bit too annoying and then swiftly put them in their place. We are really lucky as we have a huge field with a mixed herd. Settling in usually takes half a morning and there is such a range of age and temprement they can usually split off into "mini" herds. Even the loaners seam to settle well (I always feel sorry for the billy no mates)

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I would go back to the field if all was well there, before there is any further injury. Can you not manage with a field shelter and rugs over winter?

 

[Bosworth]

Just bear with it - another few days and it will all have settled down. I keep my mares and geldings separated in small herds of 4. I had two geldings arrive who had always been together and the poor owner was really held hostage by them. both had to come in together and the one left behind in the stable went mad so with the owners agreement I put them in separate herds. For a week they created merry hell. Now they are so much more relaxed in general. They couldn't care less if they are the only one in or if their ex best friend is missing. Life for the owner is so much simpler. One recently had a serious virus so had to go into quarantine, both remained quite happy about it. Could you not alternate times when they are out for the first week. One in the stable, one out in the field so they don't see each other at all. It will all be over so much quicker and they will settle and relax. What you had in the field will not suit as you need a stable so why go back to that when you are halfway to solving the separation issue.