Are these signs of anxiety?

[shadowboy]

yesterday I posted about my mare being difficullt to bit, i used one of the tips and it worked. However she was difficult to get a hedcollar on this time! She also pooped on the way to the yard from the field, 4 times while tied up on the yard and also weed twice. She would also keep looking past the yard into the distance.... to me is this serious anxiety, do you think I am right? also this has only happened since the vet came on monday could she accociate the yard with that horrible day?
What can I give her/do to make her relax?
Many thanks

 

[henryhorn]

One of ours does this all the time, we call her the poo machine..
It's excitement as much as anything else and she will either keep doing it or settle down when the weather gets hotter and she can't be bothered.
I doubt she is thinking about any unpleasant experience, more likely wanting to go back to her field with her friends.
If you bring another horse in with her she will probably stop it.

 

[_Libby_]

How long have you had her ? She does sound anxious but I have never seen a horse wee from that? maybe just me though!

Maybe she just got a fright , it will just take time and patience. I'd maybe give her a small feed or treat when you bring her in and do something she enjoys e.g brushing and talk to her for a while reassuring her so she knows coming in isnt related to something bad happening.

 

[mickey]

Sounds like definite anxiety to me. Is she any better if you tie her in her stable once she is in? How about giving her a carrot or two on the way in from the field to try to distract her? I think distraction is the key here, maybe a stable toy also. I also think you may well need to spend time in the places she is anxious for as long as it takes for her to calm down. So she gets used to the situation and being clam before she is taken out of it.
How about trying a calmer supplement too?

 

[loobylu]

My little chestnut mare I had on loan did this whenever she was tied up...she would saty tied up, bless her cotton socks, but it made getting her clean for shows interesting and the farrier got rather a green tinge to him....

Could try to see if she likes company/ a little hay/ out of sight of field/ in sight of field?

 

[shadowboy]

She still poo's in the stable and in fact cribs if she is in on her own so I'd rather not put her in- Its just really really messy and yard owner keeps making snide comments about her- I do try and clean up straight away but sometimes I have to wait until i've put her back out till i can clean it up- e.g the Wee! The headcollar and bridle issue though is very difficult to deal with!
Unfortunately the yard is hidden from the field so if no one else is about shes fully on her own....

 

[amzy]

Post deleted by Deeble

 

[shadowboy]

I have had her one month- but this only started on monday.

 

[amzy]

Sorry, I'll start again. Has a new horse arrived in the last week or has there been any recent change in the herd situation? (If, of course, there is a herd).