Agrophbia in a pony mare

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bucksdaphne

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Hi do some Equines suffer Agrophobia at all? Have a 13yr old mare that ive owned for 18 months and although I can do everything I need to with her in all essence she would rather spend the whole day, every day, all week all month all year in her stable....she has a companion who she comes in each day with to spend day on small yard, free rangeing around with, stable doors only closed when they have their evening tea otherwise open 24 hrs. All previous horses I have owned have used yard as in pottering around and eating hay from a feeder and various nets hung up but not this one at all, so much so that I NEVER pick up any poo on yard! I just find it peculiar. When riding out she dawdles going away from and soon as you start heading in any homeward direction she speeds up and if you happen to go opposite direction slows up again so much so I got vet in to check her over but nothing found for time being. When you hack out or perhaps do a Fun Ride as soon as get to venues he is a complete fidget just going here there every where while you try to tack up etc Once your away she's just keeps stomping till she gets to end. She perfectly fine to ride doesn't pull you at all but at same time there's never a chance to stop stand still to take in a view or take a photo she just has to keep moving! It's getting a bit exasperating now. Also if you do have to stop her or contain her for whatever reason her energy goes into swinging her backside out or trying to turn around which is not always in a convenient/safe place and she has an incredible sense of which direction points home even in a place she never been to and has to face that way for any chance of her standing still but otherwise she just always got to be going somewhere usually home! She just cannot stand still! She very forward motivated all the time...bargy you may call it. Its spoiling an otherwise nice mare. Just wish I could work out her logic?? All suggestions appreciated although I realise could be a million and one things, it's just like she want to be left in her corner and do nothing.





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She sounds unconfident and frightened and she simply doesn’t think you can protect her. She feels safe in her stable. I’m afraid you’ll have to block off that particular stable and work on getting her comfortable with you rather than it. Don’t do anything nice in the stable, all feeding and grooming is done outside and her reward for getting home isn’t to go into the stable.
 
Equi said:
She sounds unconfident and frightened and she simply doesn’t think you can protect her. She feels safe in her stable. I’m afraid you’ll have to block off that particular stable and work on getting her comfortable with you rather than it. Don’t do anything nice in the stable, all feeding and grooming is done outside and her reward for getting home isn’t to go into the stable.
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Would you seriously suggest forcing a human being who was agoraphobic or nervous to spend time outside and cut them off from a place they feel safe in? Why would you do this to a horse? My pony did suffer from this problem, according to his previous owners, as he had been born and raised in a barn until he was two and had never been outside. Their attitude was that forcing the issue would make things worse. They gradually built up his confidence until he decided for himself that the outside world was not such a scary place. He now loves being out and tackles new places with confidence and enthusiasm.
 
Equi said:
She sounds unconfident and frightened and she simply doesn’t think you can protect her. She feels safe in her stable. I’m afraid you’ll have to block off that particular stable and work on getting her comfortable with you rather than it. Don’t do anything nice in the stable, all feeding and grooming is done outside and her reward for getting home isn’t to go into the stable.
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Please don't do this. Apart from anything else, it won't work but will instead increase the poor animal's stress levels. I had an agoraphobic mare but we worked out what was causing the illness that was behind it and gradually she relaxed more.
By all means encourage her to spend more time outside the stable with food but make it her choice to eat there.
 
I think it sounds like a lack of confidence too. I knew a horse that was institutionalised to its stable to the extent that it wasn't happy turned out in a field and would pace until back in the stable. But, it was fine to be ridden. Perhaps the rider was just stronger and rode it through the anxiety. If she was my mare, I would go back to basics and use tiny steps to gradually increase her confidence, starting with eating outside the stable.
 
Have you looked at the TRT training? She sounds like a horse who would benefit from learning how to cope better in situations. Are you sure she's not winding herself up to over ride pain somewhere? Get the endorphins flowing....
 
My horse LOVES his stable. He's ok out in his paddock every day with his shetland friend, no sign of any stress at all, but you can call him in anytime and he'll canter over and speed walk you back to his stable. He's fabulous to ride, loves his work and is in many ways the perfect horse, but just loves being in his stable. A couple of years ago now, he had to have 2 weeks box rest..... I think he was quite chuffed!
 
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