Ambers Echo
Still wittering on
Advice needed please from you lovely and highly experienced folk!
We bought Deedee almost a month ago. At the viewing she was seen in her stable while we chatted. We also groomed her n there, takced her up. There was no sign of box walking. She seemed very chilled.
When she first arrived she was in for 24 hours and again seemed chilled. Then she went out with one of mine in the day time and in at night. Gradually introduced her to the rest of the herd over the next week. Again no issues. After a week she was out 24/7 with the others. Npo box walking that first week - ten days and evidence that she lay down in her stable.
After about 10 days she began to be difficult to lead between the stables and arena where she has to pass a pig. Pig caused HUGE trauma though she has seemed fine with it at first. At the same time she began to box walk whenever she was in. I think she began to realise she was not just at a comp or camp but was not going home and that stressed her out? So things she was coping with at first became harder for her. She was also becoming increasingly clingy to Amber.
In the last week she has stopped being hard to lead - that only lasted about 3-4 day and she seems relaxed in all other ways. Fine to ride, load, lead etc. The clinginess is also settling. But she still box walks CONTINUALLY. She even tries to box walk when Izzy is grooming her in the stable. She was in one night and YO who can see her from her house said it carried on all night. No lying down anymore. She was next to and opposite other horses.
We have turned her out 24/7 but she will be coming in overnight for the winter soon and I am not sure what to do about this. Old owner says she never box walked at his and I do believe him. He's a friend of several friends who assure me he is 100% honest. And in fact I have seen other ads where he discloses stereotypies. He had her for 6 months on a very quiet yard.
My worry is this will become a habit even if the initial trigger (which I assume is being unsettled by a move) has resolved. And it will never stop! She has company near by, ad lib hay, water and a salt lick whenever she is in.
Any advice or reassurance gratefully received!
We bought Deedee almost a month ago. At the viewing she was seen in her stable while we chatted. We also groomed her n there, takced her up. There was no sign of box walking. She seemed very chilled.
When she first arrived she was in for 24 hours and again seemed chilled. Then she went out with one of mine in the day time and in at night. Gradually introduced her to the rest of the herd over the next week. Again no issues. After a week she was out 24/7 with the others. Npo box walking that first week - ten days and evidence that she lay down in her stable.
After about 10 days she began to be difficult to lead between the stables and arena where she has to pass a pig. Pig caused HUGE trauma though she has seemed fine with it at first. At the same time she began to box walk whenever she was in. I think she began to realise she was not just at a comp or camp but was not going home and that stressed her out? So things she was coping with at first became harder for her. She was also becoming increasingly clingy to Amber.
In the last week she has stopped being hard to lead - that only lasted about 3-4 day and she seems relaxed in all other ways. Fine to ride, load, lead etc. The clinginess is also settling. But she still box walks CONTINUALLY. She even tries to box walk when Izzy is grooming her in the stable. She was in one night and YO who can see her from her house said it carried on all night. No lying down anymore. She was next to and opposite other horses.
We have turned her out 24/7 but she will be coming in overnight for the winter soon and I am not sure what to do about this. Old owner says she never box walked at his and I do believe him. He's a friend of several friends who assure me he is 100% honest. And in fact I have seen other ads where he discloses stereotypies. He had her for 6 months on a very quiet yard.
My worry is this will become a habit even if the initial trigger (which I assume is being unsettled by a move) has resolved. And it will never stop! She has company near by, ad lib hay, water and a salt lick whenever she is in.
Any advice or reassurance gratefully received!