Ingramah
Well-Known Member
Hi, hope someone out there has some ideas or previous experience of dealing with a horse with separation issues. I'm looking after a horse which has recently been separated from it's full sister after 7 years together. It has now turned it's affections to a younger field companion with disastrous results for my stable tonight. We've only had the horse here for a week and all seemed fine until tonight when we took the youngster down to the school for some lunging. Although within clear eye sight and having another horse in the stable beside her, she really threw the teddy out the pram. After a good attempt to get over the door, she also kicked three holes in the stable wall. Luckily she avoided damaging herself but the stable wasn't so lucky.
She had previously lived all her life in one field, taken in each night, accompanied by her 8 yr old sister. Unfortunately due to tragic circumstances, they had to be separated and the mare was moved to my yard with another horse who was a field companion (not her sister). Although we expected trouble separating the sisters, I must admit I didn't think she would transfer her affections in quite so dramatic a fashion to the field companion.
Whilst the horse is very calm and gentle in the field and stable, all the time the field companion is close, her behaviour is close to manic when the companion is moved more than a few feet away. I've thought about taking the tough approach and leaving her in the field when we take the youngster out but am in no doubt she would either run through the fence or jump it. Her behaviour to the other horses in adjoining fields is very territorial so I wouldn't risk introducing her to new pals at the moment.
I suppose I am looking for some reassurance that this behaviour can be overcome and would appreciate any comments from anyone who has come across this before.
Thanks in advance for any posts.
She had previously lived all her life in one field, taken in each night, accompanied by her 8 yr old sister. Unfortunately due to tragic circumstances, they had to be separated and the mare was moved to my yard with another horse who was a field companion (not her sister). Although we expected trouble separating the sisters, I must admit I didn't think she would transfer her affections in quite so dramatic a fashion to the field companion.
Whilst the horse is very calm and gentle in the field and stable, all the time the field companion is close, her behaviour is close to manic when the companion is moved more than a few feet away. I've thought about taking the tough approach and leaving her in the field when we take the youngster out but am in no doubt she would either run through the fence or jump it. Her behaviour to the other horses in adjoining fields is very territorial so I wouldn't risk introducing her to new pals at the moment.
I suppose I am looking for some reassurance that this behaviour can be overcome and would appreciate any comments from anyone who has come across this before.
Thanks in advance for any posts.