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Lottie83

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We have two horses, currently moved yards onto a block of 6 including ours. The yard is bigger but split into blocks. We are round one side of the block with our two, and theres a spare stable our side, which is due to have a new horse in , in the next few weeks, they look over the fields with other horses in. I've moved them so they have the spare stable inbetween, to see if this helps
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. Our warmblood we have throws a right paddy when the other goes out for a hack or whatever. It makes no difference to him if hes got another horse with him, its just our other one he's interested in. He's fine if he hacks out alone or anything but if hes in the field on his own or in the stable, he kicks, rears, bucks, kicking the walls in the process. Any ideas or anyone had this problem know how to get through it? Hes been like this before, so we know its not as if its the new yard, but for most of the years we have had him, hes been managable.

Anyone got any tips would be greatly appreciated. I tried feeding him while the other one goes, but he just looks at you as if to say, i'm not stupid, I know exactly what your up to. Tried the radio on loud, dont really help either, if I keep trying to do a bit at a time, will he get over it?

Thanks!
 
Does he calm down once you've gone or does he work himself into a complete state? How often do you leave him on his own while you go out hacking? Are there people around? Can you take him out on his own, without his friend?
 
He hacks out on his own no problem. He doesn't seem to calm down, he just keeps kicking until we have to bring him back, cause i'm worried hes going to make holes in his stable as they are made of wood. Hes got a few dents in it already. I dont know if I left him a long time, if he would eventually settle? I'm always afraid hes going to damage the stable. I've been to try and separate them every day, feeding our other one round the other side of the block, wonder if hes worse as he knows hes only round the other side???!!!
 
I think you are doing the right thing by feeding him when his friend has gone.
I'd gradually increase the time you are gone for, giving him haylage, or treats or something to occupy him while you are away (could someone graze him in hand?)
Most horses get used to being separated in time...
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Don't know how to stop it but you could always hang old carpets along the walls which would deaden the sound and protect them a bit. Have you tried a mirror or do you think that would be useless if he doesn't bother about other horses anyway? The only thing I wouldn't be doing would be taking the other one back quickly; that's just giving in although I know how you feel if it isn't your property! I'd even keep him away all day if I could and let the other one paddy about until he realised you weren't coming back and grew up a bit after all, he's not a baby now is he?
 
It's difficult I know cos you're worried they might damage something or themselves. When I first moved my horses and one of them had to be left alone while I rode the other, the one that was left would make a right racket - but I thought if I take them back it just shows them that it pays off to make a song and dance about it.

Have you got someone to help you and maybe keep an eye on him while you're gone? Not try to interact with him, but just watch over him so you know what's happening? You could also try taking him off somewhere, maybe grazing in hand while the other horse is still in the box, then move the other horse and take him back to his stable once other horse has gone.

TBH I think the only way to deal with it is to get on with it and see what happens. He'll either settle or he wont - I've had one that didn't settle - he was dripping in sweat after about 30 seconds of being left alone. If they are that bad it's almost impossible to get them to calm down and you have to look at other options, but it sounds more like he's having a tantrum rather than being genuinely worried.
 
I can sympathise. My opinionated and jealous older horse did this when I took my new youngster away.

Very calculated and attention seeking though, did not get himself at all worked up but would reverse to the back of the stable and buck/kick the wall - hard.

We tried ignoring. Ended up with holes in the back of stable and a large bill.
he ignored any form of food/hay given to bribe him to behave

Thankfully he was fine if left in the field so that is where he stayed if I needed to do anything with youngster, cop out for sure, but much cheaper on the wallet!!

However that was on a small yard, on a big yard he is a complete angel!

I would see if you could have your horses on different blocks and out of eyesight of each other if you think it could be a jealousy type of reaction
 
Hiya, yeh, I think its a matter of doing it for a day & surely after a whole day, he'll calm down!! I can stay with him and even put the other one into another stable while one is out, so hes completley out of sight! he's 16, so far from a baby, just gotta ride the storm I think!!
 
what happens if you take the warmblood out and away, then take the other horse out, then bring the warmblood back (ie so he comes back to no company) and he isn't "being left"?
if he's less stressed in this way, it might be the best way to getting him used being on his own. just an idea!
 
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