Any tips for horse that stresses when others go out?

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darksecret99

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There are three horses on the yard and he gets a bit stressy if one goes out.... but goes totally loopy if they both go out without him!!

He is never left in the field alone... he will either be in the stable or tied up on the yard if I am there (with a haynet in both cases), so he cant injure himself....

I cant do anything with or around him while they are gone cos he doesnt stand still for a second!! I usually just ignore him and get on with skipping out etc, but I cant change rugs, pick feet out etc without putting myslef in danger when he is like that, which can be quite inconvenient if they are gone for a while!!!!!!

Any tips to help?
 
Thumper is exactly the same I'm afraid - some horses are just like that. He will come in and be on his own - but will not tollerate being left on his own if others are put out.

I've had him six months now - and it's got no better. I manage it - but don't think I'll cure it.
 
My older horse is like that, he'll kick holes in the back wall of his stable or side wall if you tie him up.
He's only like it on a smaller yard though and 100 x better on a big yard.
When he was on a small yard I never managed to find a cure I'm afraid, people just knew to chuck him out in the field if he was going to be on his own
 
Havent tried a morror... might give it a go tho! but he stresses even if one is left with him, so I'm not sure if it will help much!!!

He is fine to go out to the field or be brought in or go for a ride on his own... but not fine if the others are taken away... guess it was just from how he was brought up cos the other horse he lived with never went out.....

Very frustrating.... but he is only 5, so I was hoping there might be something I could do to help....
 
He was better when he was in a bigger block of stables, but he was much worse re other things - like being aggressive at feed times and stressing when other peoples routines changed... I cant win!!
 
My horse is 20 and I've had him 17 years and never mananged to sort out this problem. It only in the last 2-3 years that I can bring him in to his stable if there are no other horses in. Before that he would get so wound up that I couldn't do anything with him and trying to ride when he has been that upset was never fun
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Even now he will start to neigh if I abandon him to have a wee before I ride!! (Hope thats not too much information
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) For some reason he was brought in last a couple of days ago and the yard managed was saying what a noise he was making and pawing at the gate. She said this as though I should find it amusing!! Needless to say, I didn't.
 
I might try giving him his decahedron thingy before they go too.....

Thanks for your ideas!

I guess it could be a lot worse, so I should be thankful for that at least!!
 
if its a problem thats occuring alot, like most days of the week then try dodson and horrell Placid, its a herbal calmer, my pony is very claustraphobic and has to be stabled now due to an accident, he does get turned out but still hates bieng stabled, he used to live out 24/7.
 
Does he watch them go out? Perhaps you could give the haynet or small feed and shut the top door of the stable whilst the others leave. If we have to leave some mares in for the vet or something we shut over the doors so they don't see everything else going out. Tends to keep them calm. Although there will always be some that still scream and sweat up!
 
I have the same problem in reverse! My friend's mare goes crazy if mine leaves her sight - and even screams, weaves and kicks the walls if she stands on the other side of the yard - 25 feet away. My mare doesn't mind being left in/out on her own but as there's only the two of them it means I can't take my mare anywhere without someone bringing the other, and if one has to be box-rested - both do.
I'd like to try a mirror but friend is convinced it won't work :-(
 
Try a goat for a companion, maybe?

Sounds stupid but they can share the pasture & be tied up in the yard as company in lieu of another horse.

Less expensive than a shetland/companion, but it would require care.
 
I have precisely the same problem on a small yard. Only 3 horses but 2 have decided to keep their out (hay & straw costing them too much!!!). My chap can't stay out all night whilst it is so sold/wet so he has to come in. Shouts quite a bit initially and does eat some hay at night but chucks loads over the door whilst stressing!
 
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