Mare who doesn’t want to ride alone..

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VikkiJones23

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Hi all

I’m after some advice please...

I’ve recently bought a 16.2hh 11 yr old ID x. She seems lovely natured. However, she’s become very attached to my two other mares that she is turned out with. I can catch her no problem but she constantly calls for the others when they’re out of eye shot and they call for her. It’s a nightmare!!
I’ve lunged her... first session was good but the last session she constantly played up, pulling to get back to them, fretting etc. I tried to hack alone today, she was throwing her head up when I was asking her to move forward. I ended up jumping off and walking her in hand for about 750yds as I wasn’t sure if she’d throw me if I pushed her too far and I didn’t fancy that on a road! I did jump on eventually during the home stretch but she was pulling a lot to get back. We passed some mares and foals whilst out and this also set her off.
What can I do to sort this out? Do I need to be doing more groundwork lungeing etc to make her understand I’m the boss or just get on her, push her forward and hold on tight??
TIA
Vikki x
 
Do you have an instructor? If not, get one and get some help in being effective and firm with your riding. It is never a good idea to let horses become herd bound, so breaking them up into different groupings will help all the horses to get used to things changing.
 
Thanks so much for your response. Yes I’ve got some lessons arranged at a local livery but obviously they’re not on at the moment. Next step I’ll change the field groupings ??
 
What is she like if you leave her with one horse and ride the other?
I find this helps to break the attachment.
 
You’ve recently got her, she will need time to settle, I would start with bringing her away from the other mares for a short time, and then taking her back, lengthen the time each time. Take her out in hand (if you are confident handling her from
The ground), make things enjoyable, I.e bring in for a fuss, take her for walks in hand, let her have a nibble of grass etc.

It’s something that takes time and patience. Take her away from the other horses at least once a day.

We’ve always had issues when a new horse arrives, they are confused, in a strange place. We always work with any new horses this way and they very quickly settle and they don’t have separation anxiety for very Long at all. They just need to get used to the fact that that is their home and that when they come in, they go back out/will see the other horses again.

Keep at it, you’ll get there soon.
 
Carrottom said:
What is she like if you leave her with one horse and ride the other?
I find this helps to break the attachment.
Click to expand...
I’ve done this a few times. She shouts as does the other mare but doesn’t pace about or anything. However, if she’s left by herself she bolts around the field and obviously trying to hack out etc she’s a madam!
 
Ownedby4horses said:
You’ve recently got her, she will need time to settle, I would start with bringing her away from the other mares for a short time, and then taking her back, lengthen the time each time. Take her out in hand (if you are confident handling her from
The ground), make things enjoyable, I.e bring in for a fuss, take her for walks in hand, let her have a nibble of grass etc.

It’s something that takes time and patience. Take her away from the other horses at least once a day.

We’ve always had issues when a new horse arrives, they are confused, in a strange place. We always work with any new horses this way and they very quickly settle and they don’t have separation anxiety for very Long at all. They just need to get used to the fact that that is their home and that when they come in, they go back out/will see the other horses again.

Keep at it, you’ll get there soon.
Click to expand...
This is great to know and gives me much confidence, thank you!
 
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