How long does it take a horse to get over mates death?

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JinglebellJessi & MistletoeMagic

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I'm only a small yard, of around 5. two horses in the front field, prince in the second, none in the third and my horse and shetland in the 4th. Two of the horses in first field were put down suddenly on wednesday.
I wasn't there so don't know how it was done but prince isn't taking it well, he constantly paces the fenceline on that side, neighing and waiting, neighing and waiting. This hasnt stopped for 30 hours now, i havent seen him eat or drink much either ):

I moved kyra into the 3rd field on his fenceside to try and distract him but he didnt even look over. Im getting worried this might be the final straw for him with his welfare and body state ):
This is what he's doing, it looks like he's coming towards me but he goes on to move to a different spot. Its upsetting, i apologise.
http://youtu.be/5Y2I7OOUbCg
 
We lost a pony two years ago. She lived with two others and it took over two weeks for the gelding to stop looking for her. He used to come running over to us as if he was thinking we had bought her back. The other one didn't seem so upset. It's very upsetting to see them. I hope your boy settles soon, it bought a tear to my eye watching him. x
 
Oh hun its so so upsetting and sometimes we forget horses feel emotions. not like we do but they build bonds and friendships. try and keep a routine. be reassuring in your body manner and voice. like with us time is a healer and in time he will settle. only thing i would say in this heat just monitor if hes drinking. grief affects all species in different ways and whilst he will not know whats happened to his froends hes grieving as he cant see them .hugs to you as it is distressing for you x
 
Horse's are creatures of habit and he is probably just missing the company he had over the fence.....are the dead horses going to be replaced ?
 
This is exactly why the other horses should see the body after the horse has been PTS becuase that is how they deal with it and know what has happened to the other horses. Very rarely do you get a horse pine for the ones that have past if they have seen it whereas a hell of a lot more if they haven't. This isn't a go at you op.
 
I honestly dont know if new horses will move in, i think the land owner wants the field for recreational use. But in a week or so i may put mine in their and the shetland on the other side so he has company both ways, not bow though, i don't want the old owner to think im grave jumping.

If i were there i would have taken him to to bodies myself but i didnt find out until they were long gone. I don't know whether it would be detrimental to give him some of their bedding so something but i don't want to give him the hope that they are still around.
 
I agree that he is confused that his companions have gone - he will settle down eventually every horse is different some settle immediately others take a lot longer. I try wherever possible to allow mine to see their friend if they have died or had to be pts - they know their friend has gone and accept it - sadly sometimes this is just not possible. Hope he settles soon and gets back to normal
 
I hope it passes soon, this behaviour really isnt like him, horses have come and gone in the 20+ years he's been there and he's never made a peep, even when his own field mate was taken off to the hunt. In the two years the horses were there he always made it very clear he hated them, lunging across fencing and never standing near it when they were there.
Ahh im just being silly and humanising it.
 
I think Ned is still upset about the loss of Louie. They weren't best friends, but they got along. I was surprised that Louie's best friend Viking seemed to get over it quickly (though did neigh a LOT the first day)

Ned can still be a bit funny about walking through the gateway where Louie was shot. he sometimes spooks slightly and snorts. I let him sniff the patch where he fell, but there wasn't time to let him see the body. It calmed him a little, but I'm positive it's one of the factors that made his fence hopping worse :(

Poor boy, I hope he gets over it soon xx
 
Jessi&Magic said:
I hope it passes soon, this behaviour really isnt like him, horses have come and gone in the 20+ years he's been there and he's never made a peep, even when his own field mate was taken off to the hunt. In the two years the horses were there he always made it very clear he hated them, lunging across fencing and never standing near it when they were there.
Ahh im just being silly and humanising it.
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no, your not being silly! my boy was on a yard where a horse broke its shoulder and lower leg. horse had to be put in stable next to mine (not normally in there but easier acesses) and recieved veterinary work and ultimatly shot as could not be fixed.

my boy had only hacked out a few times with this horse...never out in the field with him...
however my boy felt the death of this horse next door, he knew it was put down and the pain it had been in, without even seeing it!!! he was very down for at least a week, not really 'enjoying' life and i could tell it really affected him.

give him time, plenty of care and attention and take his mind off it if you can.
 
My girl still looks wistfully for my gelding, who she lived with for 13 years. He was PTS 16 months ago and she had a new companion within weeks.
 
No you are not being silly or huamising it. He is feeling insecure. Ok he has never been like this before. horses have come and gone in babys field but when rio went, her pair bond, her mate ,her fella(shes a tart) she was withdrawn for a few weeks. give him time with a good routine he will be ok honest . x
 
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