How can I help my TB settle?

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Bright_Spark

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Hello everyone. Following on from my post re seeking a companion for my TB, I would also appreciate some suggestions about trying to help her settle and stop pacing the fence.

Curerently she is out in the field all day,and as she dislikes being stabled, I have a small area sectioned off by the shelter which she stays in over night. Partly to save some grass and to show her that the stable is a lovely place full of food.

She has 2 feeds, a treat ball full of treats and pony nuts for over night, plus a large haynet a day. Oh and a lickit.

Basically I am looking for ideas that will help keep her occupied as much as possible and hopefully stop her pacing. I will be willing to try pretty much anything!

Thank you in advance
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Other than a companion i could only suggest some form of calming supplement in her feed?My lad was always like this but as he has gotten older he has got better!
 
Any type of company, a goat, sheep? Some just hate being on their own TBH. Elderly low maintainance dartmoor pony that doesn't mind being left on its own if you're out riding? Basically sounds like your horse is just craving company, some are like that!
 
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Other than a companion i could only suggest some form of calming supplement in her feed?My lad was always like this but as he has gotten older he has got better!

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Thank you for your reply. I've currently got her on Mollichaff Calmer, but would be willing to try a calmer. Will have a look in the feed store next time I go in
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[ QUOTE ]
Any type of company, a goat, sheep? Some just hate being on their own TBH. Elderly low maintainance dartmoor pony that doesn't mind being left on its own if you're out riding? Basically sounds like your horse is just craving company, some are like that!

[/ QUOTE ]

I had hoped she may settle, but I do think she will need a companion. She does pick on little ponies so think she would be better with a bigger horse, the only horse I have seen her groom and play with was a chestnut TB mare so had hoped she would be ok in the field on her own. Perhaps she is just picky LOL!
 
Yes I think so too Cazza. Time to start horse shopping I think.

Gingerwitch she soes have a likit which she loves so I may try and get her one of the other likit toys.

Peacelily due to work I cant exercise that much currently, however my hours are changing very soon so I will be able to have more time to work her.

Thank you for all of your replies, it is much appreciated
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To stop her pacing the fence as much, I'd break you feeding routine, so she isn't anticipating coming in to a feed.

I'd try giving her her full ration of feed in the field, away from the fence, during the day. It'll keep her occupied and stop coming in being such a big deal. I'd also start feeding her really big fibre based feeds that take a long time to chew and eat, removing all cearels and sugar/ molasses from the diet.

Does she have enough grass in the field? I'd also start putting piles of hay out dotted around the field, to ditract her.

When she comes in to the shelter, make sure she has enough haylage to last all night. What are you putting in the snack ball? I'd go for grass nuts or something rather than conditioning cubes etc which are likely to be heavily mollassed. Remember, lickets are pretty much pure sugar- think hypo children who've had too many sweets
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Finaly, I've used stable mirrors with great success on stressy horses
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Hope she settles down soon.
 
Thank you air78.

I can certainly break up her food routine, and your advice has certainly got my thinking cap on.

When giving her hay, she has a large net which is empty in the morning, but she has not hoovered the dropped bits up (she used too when previously stabled), so I think she could probably do with a bit more at night. Will also sort her some out for the day too.

In the snack ball she is having some herballs and cheap local feed store pony nuts as it was more to keep her occupied rather than adding to her diet.

Silly me didnt think about the likit being full of sugar! I think I shall only let her have that at limited times now.

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