New horse settling in & getting attached to field mate

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silverstar

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My new gelding has only been at new yard for 3 days now but hes really attached to his field mate. He constantly calls for her when hes away from her, goes mad in the stable calling for her & box walking. Hes not too sure/a little nervous when walking back to yard and he gets into my space pushing me further towards the fence on the path. I rode him yesterday and he reared a few times when his field mate came past to go to the field. He also wont come out of the field without his mare friend. So Im just wondering if he will calm down given a few more days to settle in. What are experiences of this?
 
I have seen people who have two horses who can't be separated. It really wrecks their enjoyment and it has taken a lot of hard work to break through the bond - for that reason I wouldn't let it carry on.
Is he kept on his own with her? Or in their own paddock as part of a bigger herd?
 
Hes kept on his own with her for now but they will both be going in with the other horses. I was going to leave it till the weekend and see how things are then or should they be separated/joined in with the herd? What would you suggest?
 
Ah ok, how long is their quarantine for? If it's a week I wouldn't worry unduly - I assume they'll be split sex wise anyway after that?
 
I think its for a week not sure. No its mixed sex fields. Thing is when they do go in with the herd and my horse has other horses with him as well as the mare will he be any better to handle?
 
We once had a new gelding arrive at the yard and become infatuated with my girl,he did not want to leave her at all,to the point where his owner could not catch him unless the mare was in first.Then he was desperate to join her! As I remeber,the gelding was also distracted under saddle,but stabling my mare helped him to concentrate,as he knew she was in . He did get over his attatchment to her quickly,I think it was a matter of weeks rather than months.
 
Hippo-horse - thats what my geldings like. Im not looking forward to riding him if he rears again. Im not sure what to do tbh. I think they'll have to join the main herd. Im not sure the owner of the mare will agree to having her in when I want to bring him in.
 
I would have thought once they are put into a hard situation they will make other pals out there and your issue shouldn't continue. In the meantime perhaps keep off him and give him some work on the lunge etc . Remind me how old he is?
 
I don't mean to put a dampner on your new horse - but did his previous owners say anything about rearing? And when you say rearing do we really mean rearing? As someone whose mother stopped riding 25 years ago because my pony went up (and over on her) and me myself having had one go up and over...a real rearer is a deal breaker for me.
If we're talking more argumentative bounces where he's barely up - that's a different matter.
 
No it wasnt mentioned at all. YO says she thinks its out of character for him as hes so quiet normally to ride. They're the argumentative type of bounces.
 
In that case I'd lunge him before you get on, get him a bit tired before you get on perhaps? Is that an option? Is he being fed? If so cut it?
 
Hes not having any hard feed. I dont want to have to lunge him every time I get on him but until hes moved fields it maybe an idea.
 
I would think of it as a stop gap til that happens. I agree I wouldn't want to do that either. But for the moment he's been moved out of his comfort zone and I guess isn't taking it well, it makes sense he's bonding to the only one in his herd ( I personally wouldn't be happy with them being together in isolation but hey ho) She's his only constant atm. I'm thinking for your safety and confidence it's a good move to take the edge off him perhaps?
 
congratulations Silverstar didn't know you had found one. Some horses settle quickly and other take time i'm sure he'll settle down and be fine in a few weeks once he gets to know the place and you.
 
Start riding out with other horses - it'll bond them which will give him more field friends. More than likely though he'll always favour this mare.

You could consider using a calmer too as this may help to take off the edge when handling/riding.
 
Kitsune - I agree I hope he does settle down when moved into the herd otherwise hes going back. But I know this isnt normal behaviour for him. Hes normally so laid back.

Vibella - thanks its a pain in the bum having a horse thats so attached to his field mate.
 
I had a horse like this once, although he hadn't previously been like that. I moved yards & he obviously felt a bit stressed & got very attached to a particular mare he was initially turned out with. We had to bring both in at the same time & he would constantly call for her during work, despite being turned out with a mare in his previous home.

He did seem to settle with time, but didn't return to his normal self until he came back to the original yard.

I would give it time & maybe put him in with another gelding rather than the mare. Is she terribly attached to him or not that bothered? I'd turn her out with the rest of the herd so that she becomes a bit more anonimous. I appreciate it may not be your decision.

I wouldn't try & ride him until he seems more settled. What environment was he in before?
 
Firstly congratulations Silverstar !!!

I feel for you as im having similar issues with my new mare who ive only had for 9 days, she has become really attached to 2 mares in an adjoining paddock and has been a total arse the last 2 days. When ever they get turned out or ridden without her and she is in her stable with other horses next door and opposite she starts calling out, doing little bouncy rears and gets all agitated and hots up ive been ignoring her behaviour and waiting for her to calm down and then rewarding her with something nice ie dinner, groom or turnout, takes a while and i find myself having to walk off and pooh pick in order to distract me as i cant stand seeing her worked up. The funny thing is i can actually bring her in on her own and she is a saint standing to be groomed and fussed and put her in her stable and she is calm and relaxed!!!

I get the feeling she is testing me and the fact she is used to a small yard and my yard has a few more horses and as such is a lot busier its all new to her and she is stressed about the whole thing, so although i havent got any specific advice i do sympathise and can only go on what everyones telling me which is remain calm, consistent and reward for good behaviour.....

Keep us updated ..........
K x
 
In my experience it is common for a new horse to form a strong attachment to a field mate when he first arrives somewhere new. That is because the world as he knew it has completely fallen apart and he is terrified. The new horse meets a fellow friendly horse and clings on, feeling afraid and insecure when taken away. However, usually this phase only lasts a few weeks until the horse becomes more secure in its surroundings. Be gentle and undestanding during this phase. I have had my boy around 10 months now and have only just started getting really firm with him now that I know he has settled (he took longer than most). Now I won't have any nonsense if he plants himself coming out of the field and he accepts this. If I had tried too early to be firm, then knowing his temperament, it would have led to real trouble. He would have reared and spin being led. Now he still tries it on but accepts my authority.
 
Have a set routine.
You bring the new horse in, ride him feed him turn him out. End of.
My mare and my friends 2 geldings get turned out together. At first because there are 3 in the field we go and get one in, then get the other two. The other two would go mental. But I kept quietly doing the same thing and they realised in the end that it wasn't so traumatising and that I would be coming back for them so no need to panic. They don't bat an eyelid now!
Your new one is probibily unsettled with the change of ownership. But i am sure he will settle.
 
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