New Horse- Settled well, now upset!!

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thehorsediva

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Hi there,
My new horse arrived 3 1/2 weeks ago, settled really really well. However he does get very upset when a horse leaves the field, whinnies a lot and loudly!!! Over the last few days he has become much more on edge and yesterday he absolutely freaked when I was leading him. Is it worth trying him on some magnesium for a while? He doesnt have any hard feed but I could just give him some chaff. Also I hope to move him shortly to a yard with better facilities- I know this isnt ideal but want to make it as easy as possible. Any advice gratefully received as we seem to be going backwards!!!
 
Ooh what did you end up getting? Glad you found one in the end, I found one too, finally!

You could give the magnesium a whirl, but he will probably settle once he realises they do come back. How is he when you take him out of the field? My new mare is upset when horses are taken away from her but completely fine when she goes out (was like this in previous home with only one other horse), so kind of have the same problem except that mine is only next to other horses currently instead of in with them so I think a companion may help (or make it worse, either way!).
 
Congratulations on getting a new horse :)
My mare took ages (months) to settle - I put her on magnesium and it really helped. I stopped using it for a while but, due to a field move, yard changes, she is now back on it and once again it is helping.

On another note, not sure what your boy did when he freaked as you were leading him (my mares speciality is to buck, rear and plunge while being led) but safety is paramount. If you think he might freak please be safe and wear a hard hat, body protector and gloves. I also put the leadrope over my girls nose or use a bridle for leading in if I think she gonna play me up. I know from experience, broken ribs are not nice!
 
thank you!

I have a lovely ISH, he is very sweet. I think I have been a bit hard on him and need to go back a few steps...ie get him a nice haynet and get him relaxed whilst I potter around etc. Think the spook just shook us both us and now we are both a bit on edge and I am cautious of his every move- which I know wont help!!

He has always been ok to lead, he's just started jumping sideways and I happened to be in the way...
 
Ouch hope you are ok. The settling in stuff and concerns about field mates etc seem very normal as he is just trying to grasp onto some norms in a world that has changed recently. The spooking is more of a concern and it will be difficult as you know you might move him again. I would try the calmer but also as you say go back to basics a bit and get him to know you and trust that all good things come from you.

I recently was missold an ISH that reared when challenged out in hand and ridden. He has now been professionaly reschooled and going beautifully so you can get them out of the panic mode. :)

My boy is now for sale. Not because he had issues settling to an new home but because he was so spiked on each viewing to a pale version of himself and as normal he is a full up competition stamp and too much horse for me.

I really hope all goes well for you as you seem prepared to invest in this chap to sort him out, he is a lucky pony.
 
Hi there, I put a thread on a few days ago about my horse weaving and stressing loads since I've moved her into my yard. Thankfully she's calmed down loads now although she still gets upset when the horses next door go out before her! She's not yet allowed in the day field with all the horses but I am dreading it when she is because I think she will get really upset about leaving them and coming in for the night. And then we'll be back to square one!!

I suppose you have to be very patient with them and since I read an article which said that a horse to horse bond is 5x stronger than a human to human bond I can now understand why they fret so much. Bless them
 
Shivvy- poor you, that doesnt sound good, will you get another horse once you have sold your boy?

I just feel like I have let him down or am doing something wrong as he was so so good when he first arrived. Had brilliant stable manners etc. Now although the ridden work is so much better and he seems to be fine leading him again now, this morning and last night he almost knocked me off my feet as I was changing his leg and doing up his leg straps and then he quickly turned to look out his stable door. I dont know whether to tell him off or quietly move him back and continue. Also its such a quick movement and he is a big boy that I have to rebalance myself first. Feeling like I am failing him and should give up horse ownership all toogether :-( It took so long to find him and was so difficult horse hunting that I want things to be better for us both.
 
Germolene- how is your mare doing now? When will she be allowed in with the others. I find that my boy gets upset when the others go out hacking/ in field before him but he is okay when I bring him in away from them so you might find that she isnt as bad as you first thought. Will she still be able to see another horse at night? Good luck xx
 
Hi all, I have an ISH mare, her previous owner told me she has never had problems of any sort. She arrived 3 weeks ago & has made an instant attachment to another mare and now if I bring her in from the field earlier than her bestie she freaks in her box, running around, sweating, whinnying and unable to settle until bestie comes in. For the last 10days I have allowed her to follow the other mares routine and that of the livery yard in the hope that she will settle and realise she doesn't need to panic.
 
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