New Horse Problems...

[thehorsediva]

Hi there,
Earlier this week I got home my horse on short term loan with view to buy. For the past 48 hours I have thought I bought home the wrong horse!!! However after some interesting observations today I wonder if anyone else has encountered similar problems. He is currently turned out on his own in the field next to 3 other horses who are together. When handled away from the horses he is brilliant, v quiet, calm, great in stable. If the horses are in view or in their stables next to him he is a nightmare, bargy, box walking etc. In the mornings he is eager to get out the stable to see them (he is last turned out) and he canters up to say hello over the gate. In the mornings he is rude in the stable when I am trying to sort his rugs... Has anyone had anything similar happen to them? He is previously used to being next to other horses but they were all stabled in fields on their own. I just wonder if it something to do with them being part of a herd and him on his own!? They seem to get on well over the gate so hope to put them together soon...any ideas?

 

[Herts05]

Doesn't sound like anything abnormal.
Make sure that you teach him not to barge past you and to respect your space during these times. You will probably find that once he is introduced to the herd he calms down a little. Its all still new to him though.

Am going through the same thing with my 2 year old who came home to me from Stud at the weekend. Came home with a buddy who is is currently stabled next door and they are in the same field. Working on separating them by working them in hand at different times and taking them out of the field separately so they don't get too clingy.

Once you and your horse get to know one another things will calm down

 

[xxMozlarxx]

Totally normal, most horses show some behavioural issues moving home, it is massively traumatic for them, more than we often allow for. Imagine being taken away from what you know with no explanation or understanding..

 

[claribella]

Yeah it's normal. My girl was a nightmare when I first got her. She stopped eating and was extremely stressed which resulted in her being bargy in the stable. The first week I got her she managed to push past me and was running wild in the around the place. I've learnt that since I've had her that she's not good with litte changes so I now realise how BIG the move was for her. It took her months to settle but I found natural horsemanship helped a lot. I can now back her away from the door with a small finger signal and a click of my tongue. She sometimes has her off days but on the whole she's generally settled.

 

[cassie summers]

Totally normal, most horses show some behavioural issues moving home, it is massively traumatic for them, more than we often allow for. Imagine being taken away from what you know with no explanation or understanding..

As above my mare was a bloody nightmare the 1st few days after i got her now she is a completely different horse it just takes time

 

[xxMozlarxx]

It can take up to a year to get used to a new horse and for them to settle.

 

[StormyGale]

Like someone else said the more your horse settles and the more you get used to each other and develop some respect it will become easier - a horse isn't just going to respect you straight away and all thats its trying to do is get to what it feels safe with ie. the other horses, as you said they are in a herd too which naturally is the 'safest' place for a horse - it'll take time and a bit of patience but as has been said above its a massive change and just takes time. My ex racehorse came out of racing and was exactly the same slightly different as he was still a racehorse so he thought but same senario it takes time and as someone said by just working them seperately and giving them all a little 'you' time one on one you'll soon develop a bond and again like someone said just set those boundaries so you can't be pushed about - horses are always more secure when they have boundaries and know their job - plus your boundaries might be different from past owners so give it time and enjoy the learning bit of your new horse - good luck by the way you'll be fine bit of patience and time you'll be well away!