Mare who deosn't like being on her own!

[Libbyduck]

I was wondering if anybody had any ideas that could help me out. I have just bought a 16.1, mare, cross thouroughbread/irish sports horse. She is in her field with 2 other ponies and they are all close. When she is in her stable and cannot see them she gets quite unsettled and when I ride her and she can't see them she becomes a bit of a nightmare!! Not responding to me and being just all over the place! She schools beautifully otherwise and has done dressage with her previous owners.
Has anybody had this problem and if so any tips on how to break this habit as I want to take her out a hack and I would worry on the roads if she acts like this because she can't see the others.
Thanks in advance
Lisa

 

[Exploding Chestnuts]

Sounds like settling in, so not much you can do but keep going. Try to get her/you out of her comfort zone in the school, maybe a few cross poles, she knows the dressage, let her become a bit more relaxed yet surprise her with something new, , not sure if that is clear
Take a few jumping type lessons and see what your instructor thinks.
Is there someone to hack out with you?, can you take her somewhere else to hack?

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Agree with Bonkers2 - keep going with what you want/need to do - as she becomes more used to you and her routine she should settle. Daughters gelding was a bit stressy about leaving others when he came to us but now he knows the yard and that he isn't being separated for ever from his field pals he is much calmer. I can now take his stable buddy out to ride and leave him in and he ll not box walk and call - just watches and munches hay. Taken a few months to get there tho.

 

[IGWLC]

Just ease her into her new routine nice and slowly. Hopefully she'll settle as time goes by- small things such as taking her out of field and put her in stable for 15mins then put her straight back in field, try not to take her away from the others for too long in he beginning- you don't want to give too much added stress. As for hacking, take her out with just one other horse for the time being, make sure it's all ok like that. Then, trot off in the opposite direction from other horse every now and then, then WALK back to it. It's all about letting her know that although she may be taken away from her friends, it won't be for too long and she doesn't have to worry/rush back to them e.t.c. As she gets more confident, you can increase the time that you stay away from the others for, until hopefully you will be able to ride out on your own!

 

[Libbyduck]

Many many thanks for all your comments. The hacking isn't great where I am (have to start saving for a horse box!). My friends friend on the yard has said she can borrow her horse to ride so she can come out with me. I forget I have only had her a week, so I will keep at it with her and take on board your comments.

 

[PorkChop]

I think it's great that she has settled so quickly with her field companions tbh! Just keep doing what you are doing and she should settle once she is into her new routine.