Help with Stabling

Chellebean

Chellebean

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OK, I've only had Ollie a day and yes I know give him time to settle but is there any hints or tips I can use to get him used to stabling!
I tried to put him to bed tonight and the little Mr backed off round the corner, knowing full well I had to come back out of the stable to try again :rolleyes: I have rope burns galore from this, he is a nightmare :( I understand he has gone from being fullied stabled to out 24/7 by previous owners and is now being returned to stabled over night. It is a lot to adjust to, but any ideas of how to get him used to it or convince him aliens don't live in his stable?

Thanks in advance
Rose and chocs all round :D
 
have his feed ready in there waiting for him? Hang a few swedes on bailing twine? Try putting him in for an hour and build the time up each time? Buy him a likit to have in the stable - in short I find that food is the way to a horses heart!! Good luck x
 
With my filly, I had to tempt her in the stable with food to begin with. I fed and groomed her in the stable and then turned her out again. I did this every day, slowly taking a little longer each time. I then could put her in for an hour or so while I rode my mare. She began to think that her stable was a nice place (she didn't like it at first) and now I can stable her with no trouble but it was a slow process. It was good that I did this because after a few months she had an injury that required box-rest for a few days and she coped brilliantly.

Good luck. :)
 
Have the bucket of feed just inside the door where he can see it, or where you can pick it up and offer him. Only allow him to take a mouthful when he's taken a step forward, and then hold the bucket further away so he has to take another step. Its just a matter of him getting used to it. One thing that makes some horse refuse to go in the stable is if the door is too narrow and they have bumped themselves going in...
 
Honey08 said:
Have the bucket of feed just inside the door where he can see it, or where you can pick it up and offer him. Only allow him to take a mouthful when he's taken a step forward, and then hold the bucket further away so he has to take another step. Its just a matter of him getting used to it. One thing that makes some horse refuse to go in the stable is if the door is too narrow and they have bumped themselves going in...
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I have thought about that and can't remember him banging himself, unless it was when the little so and so tried to escape whilst I locked him in? He went in fine yesterday but I think due to the fact he is being turned out on his own for a few days whilst being wormed, I think he misses company. He settles down tho when I leave him to it, think he is a little so and so :eek::D
 
I just read your other thread. Is this your new ex-racehorse that you're having trouble stabling? I have an ex-racer and she hates being stabled. She is improving at the new yard but at the old yard she would shake and sweat even if you just bought her in for a quick groom (she is retired). Her old owner explained that she never got turned out when she was in training.

I am now able to bring her in while she waits for the farrier ect... and she is staying calm but I have her out day and night all year and she is happier this way.
 
Not a little so-and-so, just a large animal designed to move around lots! Very best of luck getting him used to the new regime. I imagine once he realizes he won't be trapped in 24/7 it will get better but I can understand his caution if that is what he had before great turn out. Have fun with him!
 
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Faracat said:
I just read your other thread. Is this your new ex-racehorse that you're having trouble stabling? I have an ex-racer and she hates being stabled. She is improving at the new yard but at the old yard she would shake and sweat even if you just bought her in for a quick groom (she is retired). Her old owner explained that she never got turned out when she was in training.

I am now able to bring her in while she waits for the farrier ect... and she is staying calm but I have her out day and night all year and she is happier this way.
Click to expand...

Yes he is the new exracer... hansome devil he is :)

I think it's due to a shock to the system, where he was in 24/7 to out 24/7 and now I'm trying to re-educate him. His lil patch of grass is too small to be out all day and night, he is fine when the others come in and mum has walked away but not before! I can't decide if it's for show or not! Or is he really scared!
YO checked on him at 10pm and said he was pretty quiet and munching, so I guess he will settle and not run round like mad! Fingers crossed its sooner rather then later :D
 
I believe an old horsemans' trick is to make it smell like him. I do this with new rugs (which my horse hates for some reason), he is much better if they have been hung up amongst his other rugs overnight first. I know reverse skipping out sounds ridiculous, but maybe put some of his droppings in there.

Make sure he has a haynet - and if he is eating that is a good start. Horses won't eat if they feel seriously threatened.

Lastly, can he see another horse? This would help too.

ETA: If he is fine when you are there but settles when you can't see him, he may be hoping that you will give in and turn him back out. If my horse thinks it is time he was out he will shout his head off when he sees me but is quiet otherwise - he's been in the same stable for nine years and is certainly not afraid of it! So it could be that.
 
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