Nervous being in on his own

G

Gorgeous George

Well-Known Member
Joined
2 April 2007
Messages
6,268
Location
Essex
Visit site
George has recently (since we moved to the indoor barn) got worse and worse about coming in on his own
frown.gif
he is fine to catch and bring in, but if he has to stand in the barn on his own he gets in a right state. He fidgets with his feet, paws the air and poos and sprays poo everywhere
frown.gif
frown.gif
The last few times he's done this we were going to show and I assumed he was excited and picking up on my nerves, but he was terrible today and we were just going for a hack! In the 10-15mins it took to get ready he filled a tub trug with poo and sprayed a similar amount up the walls and on me (no laughing!). When he comes in with the others he is fine and very settled in his stable.

So should I just cut my losses and tie him up outside where he is calmer (bit of a pain if it's raining) or is there something else I should be doing for the poor soul. Hate to see him fretting like that.

Thanks.
 
Having worked with a horse who couldn't be left tied on his own at all - if he's calmer outside, most likely because he can see more then do it.

Also sounds like a bit of seperation anxiety too - if he used to coming in with friends? As some horses just need that little bit more comfort than others. With Pos, we used to tie him in the best place where he could see the most and being a big horse - he needed more room to be able to stand properly, a haynet and 9 times out of 10, he would have company in anyway because of the nature of the yard.

It's not worth the hassle and possible risk of him injuring himself or anyone else if he completely flips out whilst inside. If he's new to an indoor barn, might be worth bringing him in, standing for a bit, don't tie him up, then chuck him back out. So he learns that it's not a scary experience and just do this for longer periods at a time.

Also he might be able to hear stuff but not see it and that's something that can wind horses up.
 
I'm afraid the only solution i have for my boy is to make sure he isn't left on his own.

Being a prey animal horses naturally feel safer in their herds so every time i bring Frank in i make sure there is a horse in our barn, or likewise when i turn him out i make sure there are horses in the field so he won't be fretting on his own.

Does he calm down at all if you stay with him?
 
He is a bit better if I am with him, and he will stand to be groomed etc, but you do have to duck the poo! Although I try to have everything ready before I bring him in, I often have to pop to the tack room and he frets then. He does always seem to be straining to hear what is going on, and he can't really see out, so perhaps I should just tie him up outside?
 
Start with tying him outside until you have been at the yard a bit longer, then try having in the door way or bringing him in when somweone else is around, then make the move to bringing him in alone. When I first brought my mare to live at home she would freak when brought in alone, she coudnt give a hoot now.

If he is a greedy guts food bribes may help too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top