MissSBird
Well-Known Member
Hi guys
Having a bit of bother with my new horse. He seems to think he cannot survive if my sister's pony isn't about.
I can understand why this has happened. He's only 3, has spent his entire life in a field with just one other horse at a time, and then was suddenly thrown into a ferry and brought to a busy yard where he knew no-one. He and the pony are stabled side by side, and there's a grill section inbetween the two so they can easily see/sniff each other. They're often ridden/groomed at the same time and go out in the same field with 2 other ponies.
Ironically, the old pony really hates him and just pulls faces and threatens to kick him! But if we take her away and he's in the stable he gets really stressed out and I'm worried he's going to end up coming over the top of the door.
We've had him for about a month now and he is settling. He works ok in the arena on his own now with only the odd shout for the pony and doesn't get worked up if she leaves the field. In the stable though he hasn't changed much. You can bring him in alone and he'll be ok, but as soon as the pony appears then leaves he goes nuts. I'm really worried what he's going to do if we go to a competition (same trailer) and the pony goes away from him. Could be a real problem with leaving him in the trailer!
In a few weeks time we are moving stables on the yard as the current building we're in is going to be demolished. When this time comes I was thinking of trying to get two stables as far from each other as possible to try and break this dependence a little. They'll still be ridden regularly together and be out in the same field so it's not totally depriving him of her company. Not sure if this is a good idea...
I'm just really stuck with this. I know it probably needs an element of tough love ignoring the drama, but I'm worried he might end up hurting himself.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for getting through this long post!
Having a bit of bother with my new horse. He seems to think he cannot survive if my sister's pony isn't about.
I can understand why this has happened. He's only 3, has spent his entire life in a field with just one other horse at a time, and then was suddenly thrown into a ferry and brought to a busy yard where he knew no-one. He and the pony are stabled side by side, and there's a grill section inbetween the two so they can easily see/sniff each other. They're often ridden/groomed at the same time and go out in the same field with 2 other ponies.
Ironically, the old pony really hates him and just pulls faces and threatens to kick him! But if we take her away and he's in the stable he gets really stressed out and I'm worried he's going to end up coming over the top of the door.
We've had him for about a month now and he is settling. He works ok in the arena on his own now with only the odd shout for the pony and doesn't get worked up if she leaves the field. In the stable though he hasn't changed much. You can bring him in alone and he'll be ok, but as soon as the pony appears then leaves he goes nuts. I'm really worried what he's going to do if we go to a competition (same trailer) and the pony goes away from him. Could be a real problem with leaving him in the trailer!
In a few weeks time we are moving stables on the yard as the current building we're in is going to be demolished. When this time comes I was thinking of trying to get two stables as far from each other as possible to try and break this dependence a little. They'll still be ridden regularly together and be out in the same field so it's not totally depriving him of her company. Not sure if this is a good idea...
I'm just really stuck with this. I know it probably needs an element of tough love ignoring the drama, but I'm worried he might end up hurting himself.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks for getting through this long post!