How would you treat this?

[xpkEcho]

Hi everyone!

I recently moved my little mare to a new yard where she can be outside 24/7 as she has COPD. Her coughing is much much better and I'm ecstatic, but it's given way to a new problem. She is quite an insecure little mare and now has massive issues with separation anxiety.

She's in a field-area with three other mares, she is in her little field alone but the sections are small and she's never more than 20 metres away from another horse. They can touch noses over the gate all the time. My problem is that whenever I bring her out of the field, she completely freaks out. In the arena she's relatively okay because she can see the others, but when I'm brushing her she can't see the other horses and she's a nightmare. She runs around while I try to groom her, and when I turn my back to her to grab a different brush or walk off to get something she will try to throw herself on the floor and even rear. She even tries to bite herself in the side sometimes?!

My question is, how would you deal with it? Should I be strict and punish her for dangerous behaviour? Or be patient and reassure her that everything is okay? She is quite an insecure mare and has had a bit of a difficult past, so I'm a little hesitant on being strict with her - but if that is what she needs to be safe (and for me to be safe), I guess that's what I need to do. She moved to the yard last Saturday, so half a week ago.

How would you do it? Force her through it, or kill it with kindness?

 

[Merlod]

I'd set her up to suceed. Just take her out for a minuite and turn her straight back out. Keep it calm. Gradually increase the time and make sure she stands calm before you turn her back out.

 

[Illusion100]

It's all very new, it could just be a case of time and settling into a routine?

My horse can be like this and it can be very frustrating as he's very good at getting himself very wound up just because he's decided to rather than being genuinely upset. If I know he's 'acting' he gets told to buck his ideas up and if he's genuinely upset, he also gets told to buck his ideas and and get a grip because that's what works for him, me saying 'I'm making the rules here mate, so listen to what I'm saying' takes his mind off worrying and he can then focus on what's happening in front of him.

As to what would be the correct approach for your horse might not be ideal for another so it may be a case of taking the time to see what works best for her.

One method may be to gradually increase the time from not being able to see the other horses, as in take her around the corner out of sight of the others and then return and each time slowly increase the time she spends out of sight/tied up/groomed etc as she will learn that just because she can't see them, they are still there, they aren't going anywhere and she knows that sooner or later she will be going back to them.

Another idea may be clicker training. Begin this in the field and reward her for focusing on you, then continue this when you remove her from the field, when she looks to you for what to do next, click and reward. She will learn that there is a benefit from being removed from her friends and it will keep her concentration from wandering.

You could of course incorporate ideas 1 and 2 together, or of course ignore idea 2 if you think clicker training may encourage your horse to develop other unwanted habits. I like clicker training when done properly and it helps makes a lot of things much easier and more pleasant but I appreciate it's not everyones cup of tea.

Another idea is to ignore any unwanted behaviour (unless it is dangerous, which it sounds like it is due to the rearing etc) and just carry on. I think this is really only advisable if you have a lot of experience as it's a tough approach that needs seen through to the end and the behaviour always gets worse before it gets better, it is also a lot trickier to make this method effective with an insecure horse as you have to be very on the ball in order to ensure you build confidence and independance rather than break any trust further.

In this case I'd probably opt for a more relaxed, calm and rewarding method to help her settle in and find her feet. Be prepared for progress and then wobbles, just stay positive, take it each day at a time and I'm sure you'll get there.

Best of luck,

 

[Queenbee]

I'd set her up to suceed. Just take her out for a minuite and turn her straight back out. Keep it calm. Gradually increase the time and make sure she stands calm before you turn her back out.

Agree with setting the horse up to succeed, IME horses with separation anxiety are genuinely worried whether or not they should be! Punishing them for being anxious serves no purpose and could make things worse. There has been change which has clearly unsettled her.

Have you worked her at all? Excess energy doesn't help, if she is safe enough to get on her back, and ride or lunge in the school I would consider this. Just a small session but something for her to do.

Also, consider clicker training - just small sessions but if she is food orientated it can be a very quick and effective method of teaching a horse to control their emotions - my beast was a twit, but not from anxiety, more of boredom and over enthusiasm as a baby, within a couple of days of CT he realised that he got reward for standing nicely, being respectful and being calm.

If she is proving tricky to lead away, I would use a pressure halter to give you more control, and if possible I would time bringing her in when someone else brings theirs in, so she has company as she is walking away from her field.

work on re-affirming your bond with her, allowing her to place her trust in you.

Lots of grooming, cuddles, etc and keep sessions short. Patience kindness and time sounds like the plan for this one.

And before I post - I have just read through Illusion's post above - snap!

 

[xpkEcho]

Thanks SO much everyone for your help. She is safe, both on the ground and under the saddle, just very very nervous and I'm mostly trying to figure out what would make her feel better. She will lead away, but all she does is stop every now and then and whinny back to the group. When she is tied up, it's the worst. I ride her daily, today we went for a hack. Again absolutely okay, well-behaved, just extremely nervous and her whinnying is starting to make me deaf in one ear haha. I do believe it'll get better with time. I think I need a good balance between "hi, listen to me please" and "it's okay silly pony"

 

[xpkEcho]

Also, she's a cob and ergo responds very well to food. I have treats in my pockets at all times as she finds that a big reward. I've fed her while she's tyed up as well, hopefully that'll help

 

[Queenbee]

Also, she's a cob and ergo responds very well to food. I have treats in my pockets at all times as she finds that a big reward. I've fed her while she's tyed up as well, hopefully that'll help

Hi, Based on today's posts I would certainly say no punishment, ask little questions and give huge praise, break everything down into the achievable - Clicker training would be a good idea I think, its a fab way of asking questions/teaching behaviour and allowing them the ability to find the answer themselves without the owner placing pressure - it helps control of emotions such as stress or anxiety or even naughtiness but it also allows them to develop their sense of confidence. I like the book Clicker Training: Colt starting the young horse by leslie pavlich. You can get it via amazon or on kindle. She explains the approach and the training steps in a very easy to grasp language that make sense and is practical. She also does some great vids on you tube which are worth watching. I can highly recommend it. I dont use CT much, but when I do I find it very effective and a good tool. Whichever way you go. Keep expectations small, sessions small. Ask for a little and praise a lot. With anxious horses - especially in the saddle, When they tense I like to give a small scratch on the neck to remind them I am there, wait for them to relax and then ask them to walk on and huge praise. I can not emphasise enough HUGE PRAISE! Appeal to their ego and good luck I am sure she will come around and relax.