Arcticc
New User
I'm having a bit of trouble with separation anxiety in my horses, I have 2, a retired 6yo and an unbroken 4yo, both have separation anxiety.
They go out together at night and are stabled next door to eachother through the day (can't change that set up). I am trying to take the 4yo away for training to start him on his groundwork before getting him going under saddle (so far has been good working without his friend), only for short 5-10minute sessions so far.
However it leaves the 6yo box walking and shouting for his friend, but today he did something very uncharacteristic and even kicked a hole in his stable wall. He's never kicked his walls before, and I can't have him doing that again as the stables are rented, not my own, also don't want him hurting himself too. I've done lots of groundwork in the past, he's very content on his own when I do groundwork with him, and has always been fine to leave on his own in his stable until now. He has always been upset when left in the field on his own but never had a problem with the stable. Today he could see at least 3 other horses from his stable, but that didn't help, he only wanted my 4yo to come back!
I haven't taken him away and left the 4yo in the stable for the same reason as he will also throw a fit if the 6yo leaves him!!
A bit lost on what to do, would stable mirrors help? I've already tried lots of groundwork and have tried feeding them separately too, but it just doesn't seem to be helping long term! I was really hoping to get my 4yo up and running under saddle this summer but that can't happen if I can't leave the 6yo in his stable ?
They go out together at night and are stabled next door to eachother through the day (can't change that set up). I am trying to take the 4yo away for training to start him on his groundwork before getting him going under saddle (so far has been good working without his friend), only for short 5-10minute sessions so far.
However it leaves the 6yo box walking and shouting for his friend, but today he did something very uncharacteristic and even kicked a hole in his stable wall. He's never kicked his walls before, and I can't have him doing that again as the stables are rented, not my own, also don't want him hurting himself too. I've done lots of groundwork in the past, he's very content on his own when I do groundwork with him, and has always been fine to leave on his own in his stable until now. He has always been upset when left in the field on his own but never had a problem with the stable. Today he could see at least 3 other horses from his stable, but that didn't help, he only wanted my 4yo to come back!
I haven't taken him away and left the 4yo in the stable for the same reason as he will also throw a fit if the 6yo leaves him!!
A bit lost on what to do, would stable mirrors help? I've already tried lots of groundwork and have tried feeding them separately too, but it just doesn't seem to be helping long term! I was really hoping to get my 4yo up and running under saddle this summer but that can't happen if I can't leave the 6yo in his stable ?