Leaving horses alone while riding field mate

[JaneSteventon]

Hello. Could anyone tell me if horses eventually settle when they are left alone for 1 - 2 hours while their field mate is ridden out. I have two horses and my gelding is now completely chilled when left alone, however my mare is still (after nearly a year) getting upset. She is nowhere near as bad as she was as she dosen't sweat up or charge around madly just paces about non stop whinying the whole time we are out. My hubby drives up to check on her if while i am out if we have just moved fields and says she is not in danger of hurting herself as she just walks about, but it does spoil my ride worrying about her. Any experiences ?

 

[serena2005]

hmmm it must worry you, but if she is better than what she was then shes going the right way, have you tried leaving her food while you are gone??

 

[runaway]

My 20+ yr gelding is different depending on his mood! When my dad takes his horse out some days my chap will have a mad half hour then settle and graze, others he wanders round aimlessly all the time snatching at grass and then when dad's out all day he will stand by the gate and do nothing! He's lived by himself with others in neighbouring fields and then in with companions so he's had the whole experience.

I make sure, if it's winter, he has hay near where he stands. This year I'm going to stable him when dad's away all day with his horse as then I know he'll eat his hay and if necessary he can have some hard feed too. If your mare isn't loosing weight and as your hubby says she is not in danger of hurting herself then try to look at is as her exercising herself

That's what I think when my chaps having a trot round. If she's improved then she is obviously getting more used to being by herself and certainly sounds like she wont do anything silly.

Even my dad's horse, who could easily ping the 5 bar gate and threatens to do sometimes when he's alone is sensible enough to realise that his chum will be coming back. Try to concentrate on your riding and just give your mare some fuss when you return.

 

[Sarah B]

I have this problem with my two although I have recently moved yards and they have improved.

My mare is OK taken from the gelding, but gets upset when he is taken from her. I find the gelding is better left in a stable (or was - at the old yard) rather than out in the field. I used to leave him with a full snak a ball.

 

[JaneSteventon]

Thanks for your replies sorry i havn't responded sooner but computer has had a virus so has been out of action. feel a bit better after your posts and today when came back from my ride on my gelding the mare was grazing instead of stressing so thats good. Thanks again for responses