Lonely/bored Thoroughbred?

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Binyanis9

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Hi.

My 9 year old 16.3hh Thoroughbred is currently on a yard where the horses have their own paddocks, so they're not turned out altogether. He can still see the other horses in the distance and he's relatively close to some and can interact with one by just touching noses. The horses are in one big field just separated by electric fencing to make our own 'paddocks'.
His behaviour has been slightly odd lately with that he just seems generally unhappy (or what I think anyway, he could just be quite happy and content?) he doesn't rear or anything like that it's more that he's always standing in the same spot every time I go and see him, well, 99% of the time, and looks rather bored. I've only had him for around 5 months and at first because it was all new to him he was always alert and stuff so only recently noticed this behaviour. His ears are always up or relaxed so I know he's not angry or anything.
I do get him out of his field every day and I ride him about 3 times a week (although we haven't been ridden since last Thursday as he has a bad back) and if I don't ride him I always take him out for a groom and a fuss or take him for a walk. When I put him back in his field he does seem a little better and will go straight to grazing again.
If anyone could offer any advice or their own experiences I'd really appreciate it because I just can't put my finger on whether he's just quite relaxed anyway or if he is getting rather bored and could potentially be lonely? And if this is the case does anyone have any advice on how I can stimulate him whilst I am away i.e toys etc. or just any general advice would be really appreciated!!
I'd love to hear your own experiences too to see if I can compare in ways! Thanks!
 
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I moved my tb from a yard that had individual paddocks for exactly the same behaviour yours had. He just wasn't happy in general.

He was a completely different horse when he moved to a field where he had pals to play with. He was 100% happier and it was lovely to see him galloping around and playing with the others. He used to just stand around in the turnout pen, but now i can see it's cause he was lonely and bored, because he spends all his time now playing or grooming the others, he is very interactive with them. The 'pretend to bite my face' game lasts for hours and is then followed by the 'lets pretend to rear' game. Some horses just don't suit individual paddocks
 
Yeah exactly! He seems relaxed just not 'happy'. In a shared paddock do you ever any problems? That would be my only concern if I had to move him is that actually he might end up being at the bottom end of the pecking order and may be picked on!!
Thanks
 
I agree with above some horses just don't like being alone, one of mine does not care either way his lived alone and in groups and no different the other one I know would not be happy on his own they are all different and in your shoes I would want to try him in group turnout.
 
Binyanis9 said:
Yeah exactly! He seems relaxed just not 'happy'. In a shared paddock do you ever any problems? That would be my only concern if I had to move him is that actually he might end up being at the bottom end of the pecking order and may be picked on!!
Thanks
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it might be worth finding a yard that has small group turnout if you think his low down in the pecking order, large groups again don't suit every horse my bossy one just runs round trying to organise everyone for a week or so then he settles, of course there is always a risk of them being kicked but they are herd animals and most of them do prefer company it's their natural way of living.
 
Pinkvboots said:
it might be worth finding a yard that has small group turnout if you think his low down in the pecking order, large groups again don't suit every horse my bossy one just runs round trying to organise everyone for a week or so then he settles, of course there is always a risk of them being kicked but they are herd animals and most of them do prefer company it's their natural way of living.
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Yeah I will need to try it. Does it matter about numbers or even just having at least one other horse he can play with in his field would that help do you think? Maybe this is an excuse to buy another... 😳
 
i've moved a few yards and he did get bullied in most herds, but it was maninly just rug repair needed, nothing serious. And well worth the risk as his quality of life was bettter. he's in a field now now that he seems happy in but it's a smaller herd.

When i take him to the stables at my house he's happy enough even with on ehorse for company, but it has to be one he can play with. When i put him in with my quieter ones he goes back to looking bored again
 
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Yeah so maybe just see if someone on the yard wants to share my field so he can have a companion? Or what about field toys to keep him stimulated?
 
toys didn't work for my lad at all. he just craves attention from people or horses, so toys didnt cut it at all for him.
 
Have replied to your same thread in tack room. Toys are not the most effective - they just kick them under the fences!
 
Yeah, so what's your advice on having at least one horse to try and see if that makes a difference, I know every horse is different but I appreciate advice!
 
yeah even one horse in with him would make a huge difference. Mine had absolutely no social skills and was very playful, and he was fine even with a narky older mare who was driven mad by him and treated him like an annoying little brother. He was just delighted to have a pal!
 
You can get problems with a pair bonding if there is only one other - although you can deal with that if they are regularly and effectively separated for work. As was suggested on your other post in Tack Room small groups of 3 - 5 seem to work best. But if two is all you can do its 100% better than one alone!
 
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