Calling all horse psychologists!!!!!!!!!!

J

janicesponies

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One of my 3 horses is retired but driving me loopy. She is retired on health grounds and cannot be ridden as her medical condition can make her loose her balance. The problem is currently she has no field companion 24/7 so is stabled at night and goes out with old companion pony am. In the afternoon same companion goes out with other horse. I can't put all 3 together as does not work - fighting!! During pm she is in field shelter or stable where she can see the other 2. I think the problem is anticipating teas, as she goes then mad rearing up, threatening to jump out etc. Believe me, this is not anxiety to be with others as when it suits she is happy and eats the hay provided in the shelter. I have tried giving her tea later when she comes in but feel a bit mean if others are eating. However sometimes she is in such a state she cant be fed straight away anyway. Any ideas for dealing with a horse like this? Same horse used to carve up the field when she just saw me and thought she was coming in to be fed. Anybody else had a horse like this and how do you cope? She is now 18.
 
sounds like you're both anxious about feeding (ie. you worry about what to and where to, and she's just greeeeedy!), from what you say about your the one feeling mean about giving her food later one...
(we're terrible at transposing human emotion onto horses, we're all guilty!)


If companionship is the issue, how about finding a small shetland or a donkey of her very own to be "friends" with, something a little more permanent where staying out 24/7 is more of an option.
or have a look at your feeding regime and habits and see if there's a better, or maybe just a different way to approach how everyone is fed.
e.g. on a morning, used to give hardfeed first then hay round - as hard feed was quicker and hay was a bit slower so got them all fed quicker. However horses always ended up banging/getting anxious. So we flipped it round and started haying first and then feed when the yard was quieter. Took a few weeks to get all settled into the routine - but worked a treat (i know it's a simpler example...). Burt don't forget it can take dedication to change/alter a behaviour so patience willlll be tested!!!
hope it's a little help
good luck with her
 
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