Help wanted - need to make a decision

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lizsamW

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Currently both my horses live out 24/7 but their field is a mud bath - not much grass now just mud! Well i have been offered the chance of having stables next winter though obviously this will put my rent up! The trouble is my TB is claustraphobic - well she refuses to go into a stable at the moment! I am just sick and fed up of mud, and i hate the fact that they are constantly standing in it - let alone what it is doing to their feet and legs!
So do i go for the stable and hope and pray i can get my mare used to going in or put up with the mud?
What would you do?
Anyone had a horse that wouldn't go in and managed to get it to be in and HAPPY!?
Any advice appreciated!
Thanks
Liz
 
I havent known a horse with your problem but it might be a good idea to take on the stable as soon as you can. Over the summer you could start leading her in and out majking a fuss of her. Once shes happy with that, start staying in for a while, giving her feed and making it an enjoyable experience for her (staying with her). Once shes accepts this, start leaving her for short periods by hiding around the corner (just in case she freaks). If the stable becomes a reference point for her , she may even like her own space in the end.Its important that only positive things happen in "her house". Good luck. Mairi.
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That was my thoughts too - get her used to going into it in the summer. I thought that if i took her in every day, first time in and then straigtht out, second day in for a few minutes and then out etc etc building up to being able to leave her on her own.

Was hoping someone may have experience of this!

Trouble is when she reacts she reacts BIG style!!! Throwing herself around and generally freaking out!

She had an accident in a horsebox (she split her head open - before i had her) so this is why she won't go into small spaces. We also think she was beaten in a stable at some point.

The area my two will have is very big approx 36' x 12' and she would have the bigger half to start with. 24 x 12!! Once she got used to it she would have 12 x 12 and another stable would be made for someone else!

Splitting the field unfortunately wouldn't work and all the land here is disgusting due to the amount of rain we get!! And understandably the farmer i rent off doesn't want to trash too many fields! they are in the second one this winter so far!!

Thanks for the help
Liz x
 
i wont be of much help, i am a firm supporter of natural living, my guys field is muddy at the top of the hill, but they very lucky as they all go down the bottom so have choice, get 2 bales of hay, and there is some grass left to much on but obviouskly no goodness and he gets a feed in the morning
 
Ideally mine would live out all year round as they have been. My TB has lived out for the last 6 years and my cob since i have had him (nearly 2 years). I am just so fed up with the mud! And also i worry about my TB Dust, cos as she gets older (shes almost 17) she might benefit from coming in! Last winter she lost loads of weight and didn't really recover during the summer. She is not holding her weight this year very well either despite 2 large feeds a day and hay!

Liz x
 
Could you have some hardcore and a field shelter instead? You could then feed them hay out of the mud but it won't be as claustophobic as a stable.
 
My friend used to own a ex racer that had issues re stabling the answer for her was cutting a large hole in the wall for his "window", it did have an instant calming effect although it could be a little breezy she also installed a stable mirror too.

Before his home improvements he kicked out breeze blocks,knocked huge holes in the door/wall etc,Kamal was the type of horse that had to be first out and last in and god forbid if anything came out while he was in.
We had to prarade him up and down just to prove to himself that he was the last in again.He was a pain but a loveable rouge
smile.gif

Good luck these might work for her/him you never know.
 
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