EMC
Well-Known Member
Fred initially settled in very nicely to his new yard and was enjoying his turnout with other horses, but since a new horse has arrived and some of the original horses in his herd have been moved to another field his behavior has changed for the worse.
Our YO is doing her best to manage new arrivals and the sorting of fields, no issue's there (very nice lady and very accommodating) but now he is in a herd of three. One of the other two horses is also boxed next to him and is proving to be quite clingy. Some of the things I've noticed are:
- Fred's new reluctance to be caught whereas initially he was brilliant, even walking towards me and allowing me to slip a head collar on easily. Now it is rare that I don't have to spend 15 minutes walking around his field until he decides standing still is far easier.
- Napping towards the field, especially at the gate and when walking into the barn before tying him up to be groomed/tacked up. He doesn't rear, buck or spin but will plant his feet and his eyes go so wide it's like looking at the cat in Shrek. He will walk on with a little persuasion or a little tap from a schooling whip.
- The clingy horse is very dominant towards the remaining horse and looks to be quite distressed by Fred's absence. He will try and run after Fred and my OH has to wave him off to stop him running out of the gateway.
- I have tried Fred in another field with an older companion and initially they looked to be getting on great but I later heard from my YO that Fred had been pacing all day to the extent his legs had blown up that evening.
Obviously I expected some distress but have no wish to cause him pain or create problems that might require a vet bill.
- On occasion Fred has been extremely highly strung to the point where I had to admit defeat and head for home on a hack. Not like him at all but could be entirely unrelated.
- Along the grapevine (through a FB photo I posted no less!) I have been told that Fred's new field mate had caused upset at his previous yard and was well known for being clingy with particular horses and showing severe signs of separation anxiety. I think the phase was 'OMG your horse is out with ....??!!' He has already caused an issue where a fellow livery's horse broke her finger when she was getting him out of the field as the clingy horse tried to barge out and caused him to run.
Unfortunately I have no further options to move Fred's field or stable etc. so I must learn how to deal with the situation properly. Is there anything that can be done to either help the clingy horse or improve Fred's behavior?
Fred usually get's returned to his field after I ride him so he knows he returns to his friend, I've also resorted to the old handful of feed trick when I'm pressed for time and usually do some groundwork to reinforce his manners if necessary.
Just a note....I have no ill will towards the clingy horse or his owner, he is just being a horse after all! And Fred seems to get attached to more boisterous horses rather than the nice quiet one's I'd prefer but it would be nice if I could make the situation better on all fronts. Any ideas??
Many thanks for reading another one of my long posts!
Our YO is doing her best to manage new arrivals and the sorting of fields, no issue's there (very nice lady and very accommodating) but now he is in a herd of three. One of the other two horses is also boxed next to him and is proving to be quite clingy. Some of the things I've noticed are:
- Fred's new reluctance to be caught whereas initially he was brilliant, even walking towards me and allowing me to slip a head collar on easily. Now it is rare that I don't have to spend 15 minutes walking around his field until he decides standing still is far easier.
- Napping towards the field, especially at the gate and when walking into the barn before tying him up to be groomed/tacked up. He doesn't rear, buck or spin but will plant his feet and his eyes go so wide it's like looking at the cat in Shrek. He will walk on with a little persuasion or a little tap from a schooling whip.
- The clingy horse is very dominant towards the remaining horse and looks to be quite distressed by Fred's absence. He will try and run after Fred and my OH has to wave him off to stop him running out of the gateway.
- I have tried Fred in another field with an older companion and initially they looked to be getting on great but I later heard from my YO that Fred had been pacing all day to the extent his legs had blown up that evening.
Obviously I expected some distress but have no wish to cause him pain or create problems that might require a vet bill.
- On occasion Fred has been extremely highly strung to the point where I had to admit defeat and head for home on a hack. Not like him at all but could be entirely unrelated.
- Along the grapevine (through a FB photo I posted no less!) I have been told that Fred's new field mate had caused upset at his previous yard and was well known for being clingy with particular horses and showing severe signs of separation anxiety. I think the phase was 'OMG your horse is out with ....??!!' He has already caused an issue where a fellow livery's horse broke her finger when she was getting him out of the field as the clingy horse tried to barge out and caused him to run.
Unfortunately I have no further options to move Fred's field or stable etc. so I must learn how to deal with the situation properly. Is there anything that can be done to either help the clingy horse or improve Fred's behavior?
Fred usually get's returned to his field after I ride him so he knows he returns to his friend, I've also resorted to the old handful of feed trick when I'm pressed for time and usually do some groundwork to reinforce his manners if necessary.
Just a note....I have no ill will towards the clingy horse or his owner, he is just being a horse after all! And Fred seems to get attached to more boisterous horses rather than the nice quiet one's I'd prefer but it would be nice if I could make the situation better on all fronts. Any ideas??
Many thanks for reading another one of my long posts!
