How to Settle an Anxious Youngster In Stable

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Joyous70

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My youngster who i have had around 2 months now does not seem to like being in her stable.

I have had her in for a few hours and also overnight on the odd occasion, however, when she's in she seems really anxious, and constantly goes from one side of ther stable to her haynet, and then back again to the other side.

What can i do to try and settle her more? as our field is a complete quagmire and with more forecast, it would be better if she could come in for a little while.
 
Enya was quite unsettled when she first starting having to come in, and even now she still box walks a little.

Are other horses stabled at the same as that helped settle mine, she wasn't keen on being on her own. You could try putting the radio on, or getting her a stable mirror (worked wonders on my friends horse). Enya has a treat ball, and a few licks in her stable which she loves and has really helped to keep her occupied and settled.
 
My youngster started stressing when I took my other horse away, but she has got much better recently. Every time I take the other one away, I give the young one a feed ball which she loves and by the time she has eaten that she has forgotten that I've taken the other one away and is now happily eating her haynet when I return. Sometimes I also just chuck a handful of chopped carrots into the stable for her to find and that also keeps her occupied.
 
Get a mirror! My youngster was anxious too and he loves his mirror. He's really settled now and doesn't depend on it so much, but when he does need support in certain situations he goes right back to his mirror and stands admiring himself! I also have one in my trailer for him. Good luck. x
 
Yes she does have company and can see all the other horses that are in, her stable is an average size she's rising 3 years old around 14 - 14.2hh, stable wouldn't be big enough for her to share with another. I did think about getting her a feed ball to possible keep her occupied, and maybe a mirror is a good idea.
 
My resuced 2yrold had serious anxiety issues had never been stabled and freaked out it took alot of time and patience and i filled her stable with things to entertain her choped carrot in her haynet treat ball hanging toy ball to bash lickets.
Lickily on yard with quite routine so all come in at same time and once eaten buckets we are lights out and leave them in peace which helps she hated it if someone was wandering around yard, when she was in on box rest due to a kick i use to leave the radio on in stable next to her and that helped a little too.
good luck
 
Routine! You could try stabling nightly so your youngster knows what to expect rather than stabling sporadically..I also make sure my filly has enough hay to last, stable equals relax and food.
 
daisydoo said:
Routine! You could try stabling nightly so your youngster knows what to expect rather than stabling sporadically..I also make sure my filly has enough hay to last, stable equals relax and food.
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Im not sure my nerves could take it on a nightly basis at the moment, im terrified that she's going to come over the door or do herself some harm, and she seems to be getting worse. I would happily stable her nightly if i thought she would rest, but i can tell by her bed on the few nights she's been in that she's stood and eaten hay until its all gone (very greedy) and then constantly gone from side to side at the door, all her mess is at the front on the rubber matting and her bed untouched. This is why stabling has only been every now and then, as she seem so upset by being in and i don't want to make her worse. I have always tried to make it a nice place to be with plenty of hay, fresh water and a nice dinner.
 
I moved my 19 month fully to new yard 3 weeks ago and s@ds law that same night due to wet weather it was stabled at night for all! Luckily I had been allocated a stable where I could put bars up as was worried she would try and get over the door. First 3 nights there was lots of pawing, tipping water over but then she settled! Sorry I don't know how bad your one is I can only give you my personal experience. Maybe try one of those hay bags with a whole in as takes longer to eat. Get youngster used to going in stable every day for feed, quick groom etc and slowest extend periods maybe... Goodluck, I do know that if mine didn't settle I would look for somewhere more suited. Hope things settle down soon I know how worrying it is!
 
am looking to get some bars fitted so she cannot come over the door and do herself harm, maybe in time she will get better. I'll try some feed balls, and maybe bury carrots in her bed etc., and get her a mirror.
 
Daisdoo - i agree, and mine are generally out 24/7, and she hasn't been used to a stable since she was born, so it is all very new for her.
 
OP - if it makes you feel any better, mine has started to drag me in from the field to get into her stable as stable = food. It will improve, honestly. I used to get as stressed as you sound right now, but I'm getting better about it. Just give it a bit of time.
 
I have to drag mine to go out in the morning! I know it's because she doesn't want to leave her stable chums, still I thought it more likely having issues getting her in not turning out!
 
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