SussexbytheXmasTree
Well-Known Member
How did your horse respond and how did you cope with it?
I lost my 27yr old end of October due to a field injury. He and my younger horse were very close companions. We have individual turn-out at my yard but my two were in together. My younger horse (Edward) was always in charge of my older horse (Sol) and Sol didn’t seem to mind and adored Edward - we used to joke that he had Stockholm syndrome.
Edward dictated that he was allowed to go out without Sol but Sol was never allowed to do anything without Edward. Even if both were stabled Edward would go bananas if I even led Sol around the yard and woe betide if he went around a corner. Mostly this was fine because Sol was semi-retired and usually I would hack them both together with a sharer. Sol was usually Ok if left in stable if I did something with Edward. I would describe Edward as a fairly dominant horse and as he wasn’t gelded until he was 4yrs he can roar when he’s pizzed. However he’s very cuddly and loving when he’s relaxed and loves kisses on his snozzle. Generally he’s polite and easy to handle.
Post Sol being pts I had to sedate Edward for a couple days to turn out but after that he was absolutely fine and wasn’t even bothered about other horses coming in. He improved riding wise and his attention was great and he went better than ever.
This lasted about a month/ 6 weeks. I moved paddocks to my winter ones and since then his behaviour being ridden has deteriorated and he’s become agitated and thrown a couple of tantrums in the school at home. Both times with another horse in the arena. It’s putting me off schooling and my lessons. I’m thinking he has formed an attachment to his field neighbours as he is especially agitated if I bring him in like yesterday for the osteopath (she said she didn’t find anything physical to account for this behaviour change). I’ve booked a saddle check but my gut is saying it’s all related to separation anxiety. I haven’t given up my second stable or field yet but it doesn’t make really much sense to get a second horse again at this time. I’d still have a problem with separation anxiety and it could be even worse.
I’ve been looking at and trying TRT training but only in the last week so not progressed much especially as weather is rubbish.
Anyway any thoughts or ideas appreciated as it’s getting me down a bit as it’s worrying me how to deal with it. I know I’m especially missing Sol at the moment and maybe we’ve both been a bit numb and now are feeling it more.
I lost my 27yr old end of October due to a field injury. He and my younger horse were very close companions. We have individual turn-out at my yard but my two were in together. My younger horse (Edward) was always in charge of my older horse (Sol) and Sol didn’t seem to mind and adored Edward - we used to joke that he had Stockholm syndrome.
Edward dictated that he was allowed to go out without Sol but Sol was never allowed to do anything without Edward. Even if both were stabled Edward would go bananas if I even led Sol around the yard and woe betide if he went around a corner. Mostly this was fine because Sol was semi-retired and usually I would hack them both together with a sharer. Sol was usually Ok if left in stable if I did something with Edward. I would describe Edward as a fairly dominant horse and as he wasn’t gelded until he was 4yrs he can roar when he’s pizzed. However he’s very cuddly and loving when he’s relaxed and loves kisses on his snozzle. Generally he’s polite and easy to handle.
Post Sol being pts I had to sedate Edward for a couple days to turn out but after that he was absolutely fine and wasn’t even bothered about other horses coming in. He improved riding wise and his attention was great and he went better than ever.
This lasted about a month/ 6 weeks. I moved paddocks to my winter ones and since then his behaviour being ridden has deteriorated and he’s become agitated and thrown a couple of tantrums in the school at home. Both times with another horse in the arena. It’s putting me off schooling and my lessons. I’m thinking he has formed an attachment to his field neighbours as he is especially agitated if I bring him in like yesterday for the osteopath (she said she didn’t find anything physical to account for this behaviour change). I’ve booked a saddle check but my gut is saying it’s all related to separation anxiety. I haven’t given up my second stable or field yet but it doesn’t make really much sense to get a second horse again at this time. I’d still have a problem with separation anxiety and it could be even worse.
I’ve been looking at and trying TRT training but only in the last week so not progressed much especially as weather is rubbish.
Anyway any thoughts or ideas appreciated as it’s getting me down a bit as it’s worrying me how to deal with it. I know I’m especially missing Sol at the moment and maybe we’ve both been a bit numb and now are feeling it more.
