How do I help her be content in her stable when she's the only one in?

[flat3]

Hi all, looking for some advice. I've had my horse 6 weeks and it's a new yard for both of us, so early early days. She seemed to easily settle in her stable (american barn) and field, chilled and relaxed in both locations, happy munching hay, easy to turnout and catch in any order, happy to leave the barn to go to the arena by herself, willing to walk alone up the drive etc. However, I caught her in to ride during the day for the first time (I usually ride after work in the evenings when they're all in) and she was super stressed at being the only one in; even with a haynet (she loves food!) and even when I was 'with' her grooming, tacking up etc. she was pacing back and forth, neighing and generally upset enough to get me quite worried. I wasn't anticipating a problem at all so don't think she picked up on any 'vibes' from me.

I'm not expecting her to stay in all night by herself, but I can't be restricted to only riding/doing stuff when others are in (which wouldn't work over summer anyway when they're out as much as possible). How do I help her be content in her stable, at least for short periods, when she's the only one in?

 

[HashRouge]

I think you just have to crack on, and hope that she improves over time as she becomes more settled. What was she like during/ after your ride?

 

[splashgirl45]

6 weeks is notime at all for her to be settled. if it was me i would only bring her in to ride when the others are in for the first few months until she is more used to you and will be happy to come in with just you for company. i think you are expecting too much at the moment, just give it time and she will come round , rush it and you will be causing problems. good luck

 

[blitznbobs]

You could try a stable mirror - its worked for me in the past

 

[Peglo]

My new one got a bit worked up the first few times I took her in to tack up too. We also have a barn style stable so tied her up outside her stable, quick groom, tack up and go. No fussing and made it quick as possible. She also loves food so knows now when she comes in she gets hay and is happy to stand in for any length of time.

just keep taking her in and make it quick until she settles a bit more. She will get used to it

 

[Tarragon]

Make a point of bringing her at any time of the day for a short time and a small feed/groom/fuss/ride and then turn back out. I am sure she will get used to it.

 

[flat3]

Thanks all. She was fine to take round the to arena, ride and then back and untack, but she got all twitchy again as soon as she realised she was in her stable and everyone else was in the field.

Good to know the little and often is a sensible approach. I'm keen to start trying to improve things now, as I know the others will be out more as the weather gets better and don't want to put all my eggs in the basket of hoping she settles and then find out she doesn't when we're also finding ourselves in the alone situation more often.

 

[eggs]

As others have said, little and often. Also it sounds as though you were grooming and tacking her up loose in the stable ? If so, I would bring her in and tie her up outside her stable, quick brush and tack up and hop on.

 

[Caol Ila]

At her previous yard, my old mare was never 100% happy with being alone in her stable when others were out in their summer fields (winter was fine). She'd been okay with that at other yards. Just not this one. I tried every trick in the book, but she was a lady of strong opinions.

 

[dorsetladette]

is it a DIY yard or part/full livery?

If full (or even part) livery you could ask that she is turned out first and brought in first for a while so she learns that being alone isn't a terrible thing and is just part of her new routine.

Or, as others have said a stable mirror may help.

 

[Mrs G]

[QUOTE=" she was a lady of strong opinions.[/QUOTE] Ah Caol Ila, I like that - I have a gelding 'of strong opinions'! Mine doesnt like being in on his own either at the yard we're at now - hes never been bothered before so this is new to me after having him 10+ years and i think its because this is the smallest yard we've been on so hes got more bonded with the few horses there are. He's better some days than others but can get himself into a real old state. Ive found he's better tied up outside his stable with a haynet than in the stable where he'll box walk and call out and also he improves after Ive ridden - then he will stand in and eat hay as long as you like.

 

[ihatework]

Just keep doing what you are doing.
Bring her in when you want to ride, tie her up, groom tack up and go.
Ignore any shennanigans on her part.
She'll get over herself most likely!

 

[AnShanDan]

I think, after such a short time, as your mare didn't actually jump the stable door or flatten anyone, you will get there with practice

My own home-bred mare isn't a fan of being at the yard on her own, but she copes. I just mostly leave her to it, she's better once I've ridden her so I make sure she gets a while to chill on her own then.

 

[flat3]

Thanks everyone!

As others have said, little and often. Also it sounds as though you were grooming and tacking her up loose in the stable ? If so, I would bring her in and tie her up outside her stable, quick brush and tack up and hop on.

Yeah she was just loose in her stable as usual - I don't know why I haven't tried this so will do - thank you

is it a DIY yard or part/full livery?

If full (or even part) livery you could ask that she is turned out first and brought in first for a while so she learns that being alone isn't a terrible thing and is just part of her new routine.

It's part livery with both turnout/catch in done. I know a couple of others have to go out first or they get upset (horses eh ?) but I will ask if she could come in first alone and see how she is - thank you

 

[Birker2020]

Not sure if this has already been suggested but you could try a radio on a classic music channel or a chat show. Research has shown that playing music can help balance equine behaviour because it helps mask outside sounds and vibrations, as well as provide a positive and relaxing effect.

 

[spotty_pony]

Can you tie her up outside the stable, pick out feet, quick groom and tack up? As others have said, bring her in just to feed, etc too for short amounts of time until she gets used to it. It’s still early days and she will still be getting used to her new home (and owner).