New horse stressed out

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CathyQ

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Hi all,
I got a new horse, Red, (15.1 cob, 11yrs old) on the 8th December...my first one since 1969! He was quite calm when he arrived on my small holding and took the goats, donkeys and very noisy 5 afghan hounds all in his stride. He had a bad, spooky, reaction to the food I was told to give him, so I stopped and 24hrs later he had calmed down. I did not ride him for a week, to allow him to settle, but spent many hours with him every day, grooming, talking to him and generally getting to know each other. Initially I just rode him around the field and up and down the 1/4 mile dirt track, then last Thursday (19th) I took him out on the main road (with my husband walking behind me, just in case). He was 100% well behaved and took no notice of vehicles, a yellow grit box with a flappy lid, or anything else. So the following day I took him out on my own, same route. However, I admit I made a big mistake, as it was getting quite windy, but because his previous owner said he did not mind the wind (in fact was "bombproof") I thought it would be ok...suffice to say, he was not ok, he freaked out at everything and I know I am lucky that we both got home in one piece. That was the beginning of the dreadful storms and frightening gales, which went on for days. Throughout this time he was petrified...would not come into the shelter, even for his hay, and was too spooky for me to do anything with, though I still spent loads of time with him every day, trying to reassure him. On Christmas Eve, it was very calm and dry and he was a little happier. So on Christmas morning, (dry and still) I decided to ride him for a few minutes in the field...mistake no.2! As soon as I got on him I knew he was in a stressed state, so I just let him walk steadily, no pressure. He seemed to calm down, then as I turned on the diagonal, he suddenly bucked and tried to run forward. I stopped him ok, but it shook me a little. I reassured him, walked round one more circuit, then got off and gave him some hay. Today he is even more stressed out, moving his head from side to side and walking round in circles in the field (he has 24/7 turnout at will). He does not want to cooperate picking feet up and is just generally unhappy. So, advice please from all you experts out there. Obviously he needs more time to settle, but is there anything else you can suggest to help him feel less stressed and apart from my 2 stupid mistakes, is there anything else I am doing wrong? Thank you for your patience. X
 
Hi

Is he out with another horse or on his own as that could be the issue? Even with other animals around most horses need friends with them - especially if it's very windy etc so maybe he's feeling a bit vulnerable alone?

Is putting a donkey in with him an option so he has a friend?

It would also be a good idea to have someone walk with you when u ride or ride with someone as he may just feel more settled with someone else there too.

Good luck.
 
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Hi & Merry Christmas :-)

Poor you, sounds as though your having a difficult time with you're new boy. Firstly, does he have any equine company? If he doesn't, that could very well be a large part of the problem. Do you have anyone experienced that could come & give you a hand & perhaps ride him? He is probably feeling rather anxious about being in his new home & will be looking to you for leadership & reassurance, if he doesn't get that he will become more worried & stressed.
 
Hi, sorry you are having problems.

I was also going to ask 'has he any horsey company?' If not this could be a huge change for him and he may be feeling totally insecure, some horses just dont 'do' being the only one and a friend may solve your problem. I realise you have a donkey but some horses are petrified of them! How long was he in his previous home? Ive owned my boy 10 years and moved him after 8 or so years of my ownership to a new yard. He was so stressed, dropped loads of weight and took ages to settle, still not totally happy in alone as he wants to be with his mates!
 
It sounds like he is the only horse on your smallholding. I think he might be more settled with another horse or two. Could you share your field with a livery or get a companion from a charity?
 
I think he's bored. Mine gets fussy if we do the same ride around the same field every day and will throw in a buck. Also I never give horse time to settle in, a day at most. This is a cob don't forget, cobs are only bombproof with firm consistent handling, but they are clever and quickly work out how far they can push the boundaries. Don't make allowances for his behaviour - that's not to say be nasty - just be clear and firm in what is required of him, and take him out and ride him! He probably doesn;t care if you spend lots of time with him as others have said he probably needs equine company. But you may have to grow a pair for a week and get going
 
I think he needs company too, and maybe some routine.

What feed is he on? Has it been lowered to compensate for no work, is the hay rich?

He sounds like he is on red alert all the time and needs company to help him feel less stressed.
 
Hi CathyQ, Is this the horse that you posted about earlier this month that cribbed constantly, once you brought him home? I remember posting on that thread, but thought that you had decided to return him to the vendor.

Agree with others who say that he may well need company. Perhaps a livery who would then also be available to ride out with.
 
He needs company and he needs you to be firm and a strong leader for him to follow. If you are uncertain and nervous, then he thinks there is something to be frightened about. It is a good thing to spend time and groom him and get to know him, but remember that YOU are in charge and he has to do what you say. The firmer you are, the better he will like it. That doesn't mean being rough, noisy or nasty to him, just quiet and consistant. As the man says, "Every time you handle your horse, you are training it."

Many horses dislike the wind, it makes them nervous, the theory being that they cannot hear very well in the wind so they don't know what is going on around them. It isn't a good idea to go for a ride in a strong wind on any horse unless you absolutely have to.

There are some horses that simply can't cope living by themselves.
 
I agree that he's possibly lonely but just wanted to share my experience with you. We got our Mare two years ago. She was sold because her then owner had got her to build his confidence after a bad experience and said that she had done so in leaps and bounds. I too wanted something that I could just do happy hacking on and feel safe. Well what a shock I was in for. It took us three months to get her out of the yard. She would go so far and then just rear and spin. Frightened me to death as she's a great big 16,3 Cleveland bay cross. I have to say that the way we got round it was to persevere and also got a friend who has no fear to come and ride her. She reared and carried on with her but in the end our friend won and made her go the full length of the track and back several times. Thereafter she seemed to calm down and gradually settle in. Nowadays I'm pleased to say that although not 100% in every way she's a great horse and loved to bits. My daughter competes on her and she always tries her best for us. Hope everything works out for you.
 
Poor old you buying a another horse after so many years and having a bit of a hiccup, and I think that is all it is. You obviously tried him a couple of times and liked him and you have hacked out and it was fine, just give him more time, and get someone to walk out with you until you build up your confidence. Good luck you will be fine.
 
Also wanted to say we have so many posts from people with a new horse and they always seem to settle down, don't panic just take your time, he will be fine. Just remember how good he was when you tried him and keep that to the front of your mind and ride him that way again.
Happy New Year and Happy New Horse. :)
 
Also, re:companion - you could advertise for a grass livery or something, so you don't have the responsibility of looking after another horse? :)
 
Wow, what great replies...thank you all so much. Yes, this is the same horse that windsucked/cribbed and that I tried to return to the vendors, but they did not care they had mis sold him to me and said they had spent all my money, so tough. I started court action, but withdrew after one week, as I did not want Red to suffer because of my mistake. One of the vendors said, if I was so stressed out by his behaviour, then "give him to rescue"! I could not have him end up at auction (or worse) so I decided to keep him. I don't feel nervous around him, and spend hours with him in the stable just talking, grooming him and giving us both time to get to know each other. I know he has spent most of his life at livery, but has been on his own for the last 3mths. I did not think that he may not be ok on his own. None of the owners of the horses I enquired after, said there would be a problem with a single horse, so I just presumed he would be ok. I cannot afford another horse, but it is a very good idea to have someone else's horse in my field. Will start to ask around tomorrow.
Do I continue to ride him, even though he is so tense, or do I wait to ride until he is calm? Thank you everyone.
 
Hi Jan, thank you so much for sharing your story with me, it does give me confidence that Red will eventually be ok. I don't know whether I can get a mate for him anytime soon, but I will be looking into it straight away. Red also was bought to restore his owner's confidence after a serious fall. She had him for 6yrs, which is why I can't understand her total disregard for his welfare/wellbeing? X
 
If he is a cribber it is highly likely he could have ulcers and if so these would have become aggrevated by all the changes and certainly be partially responsible for his anxiety and changeability.

Agree with others too, he needs company. Keeping horses alone without even sight of other horses is a welfare issue in my opinion in most cases and unacceptable.
 
Hi cathyq - agree some company may be a good idea although if he has been on his own before he may get desperately attached to a companion which can create a different set if problems. I wouldn't ride him in strong wind as it can make many horses spooky - when the weather calms down can you ask somebody to walk with you ? A person on the ground will give both you and your pony more confidence. Try not to get stressed its usual to have teething troubles with a new horse. If you can get somebody experienced to help you out or start having some lessons on him it will build your confidence. Good luck ! :)
 
CathyQ said:
Wow, what great replies...thank you all so much. Yes, this is the same horse that windsucked/cribbed and that I tried to return to the vendors, but they did not care they had mis sold him to me and said they had spent all my money, so tough. I started court action, but withdrew after one week, as I did not want Red to suffer because of my mistake. One of the vendors said, if I was so stressed out by his behaviour, then "give him to rescue"! I could not have him end up at auction (or worse) so I decided to keep him. I don't feel nervous around him, and spend hours with him in the stable just talking, grooming him and giving us both time to get to know each other. I know he has spent most of his life at livery, but has been on his own for the last 3mths. I did not think that he may not be ok on his own. None of the owners of the horses I enquired after, said there would be a problem with a single horse, so I just presumed he would be ok. I cannot afford another horse, but it is a very good idea to have someone else's horse in my field. Will start to ask around tomorrow.
Do I continue to ride him, even though he is so tense, or do I wait to ride until he is calm? Thank you everyone.
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you both need to be relaxed for you to ride him and when you start riding it needs to be 5 or 6 days a week till you have more confidence in each other, when you have some company and he has settled start walking him out in hand with his companion and go from there, I would also lunge him for a couple of days before you ride him and walk him out in a saddle and bridle-set both of you up to suceed by letting him settle/getting him focused on some work and taking the possible fresh edge of him by lunging.
can you have some lessons with him when you first start riding just so you can have some one on the floor to boost your confidence and help keep you both focused and more relaxed?
 
CathyQ, he was probably fine when the weather was good, and there weren't any triggers that could upset him, but as soon as we started getting storms, he will feel vulnerable and probably need equine companionship! I know ours have been quite stressy in this weather, I have to say I wouldn't hack out in winds like that. So many fully grown trees have come down here!

Ride him if you feel confident, but definitely don't take any risks, it's not worth it!

Totally agree with what others have said, he does need company asap. I would definitely look for a livery, either a friend who could stay for free in exchange for looking after him if you want to go away for the weekend for example, or a grass livery where you could make a little extra cash. That is what I would do in your situation :) I also agree that if he is a cribber ulcers are a possibility, what feed is he getting? I would try feeding a gut balancer and see if that helps! Protexin is the one people seem to recommend.
 
Unfortunately some vendors will tell you anything that they think you want to hear, if they think that will sell their horse. Horses which crib tend to be stressy types but at least it seems that you like each other and he is good to handle so you have something to work with. I give my mare, who I suspected had ulcers from being given too much hard feed and kept in, probably with not enough forage, Aloe Vera juice in her feed. I followed a tip on here and it has certainly worked, along with a high fibre diet. If we run out though, she has been known to revert to her 'ulcery' behaviour.
You could approach one of the horse-rescue charities for a companion if you can't find a livery. If you thought you were buying a confidence giver, I think it would be a mistake to ride him until he and, in turn, you are more relaxed. Carry on spending time with him, make sure that you get him into a firm routine, which always helps horses to settle. Then when you have a companion and the weather has calmed down, ask someone to accompany you on a short, circular hack. Lessons on him would help you. While you are waiting for a companion, if the weather is fit, you could take him out in hand to get him used to his new area.
Good luck!
 
Doublethyme said:
If he is a cribber it is highly likely he could have ulcers and if so these would have become aggrevated by all the changes and certainly be partially responsible for his anxiety and changeability.

Agree with others too, he needs company. Keeping horses alone without even sight of other horses is a welfare issue in my opinion in most cases and unacceptable.
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Red has company, just not another horse in his field. He is surrounded by animals...3 alpacas, 6 goats and 3 mini donkeys, all of which he likes and 'talks' to. He is also just yards away from the house and sees people many times every day. I go in the field/shelter with him at least 6 times a day and spend around 3/4 hrs in his company every day. His ws/c has almost disappeared...no fresh marks on wood. His teeth are not worn down at all and he is a good weight with glossy coat. He had been living on his own for 4 months before he came to me, which apparently didn't worry him. It is just the wind that has unsettled him. Perhaps he had a frightening experience of a shelter collapsing on him in the past, who knows?
 
CathyQ said:
Red has company, just not another horse in his field. He is surrounded by animals...3 alpacas, 6 goats and 3 mini donkeys, all of which he likes and 'talks' to. He is also just yards away from the house and sees people many times every day. I go in the field/shelter with him at least 6 times a day and spend around 3/4 hrs in his company every day.
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Unfortunately many horses need the company of another horse/pony, it's a bit as if you were left in a compound with only great apes for company - better than being on your own but nowhere near as good as having company of your own kind. I expect though that having the other animals around will cut down the possibility of separation anxiety when you take one of the horses out, after you have found your companion.
He is obviously beginning to settle in his new home if his cribbing is reduced, so I'm sure you'll both be fine eventually. This horrendous weather isn't helping any of us!

I shall look for your updates.
 
Thank you. Getting another horse may bring me more problems. I know many people who cannot ride one of their horse without the other coming as well, which is just not possible fir me. If you force them to go out without their companion, it can create all sorts of new stress, being forcibly separated from their trust buddy. Also, I would like him to bond with me and if he has a companion, is this less likely to happen?
 
CathyQ said:
Red has company, just not another horse in his field. He is surrounded by animals...3 alpacas, 6 goats and 3 mini donkeys, all of which he likes and 'talks' to. He is also just yards away from the house and sees people many times every day. I go in the field/shelter with him at least 6 times a day and spend around 3/4 hrs in his company every day. His ws/c has almost disappeared...no fresh marks on wood. His teeth are not worn down at all and he is a good weight with glossy coat. He had been living on his own for 4 months before he came to me, which apparently didn't worry him. It is just the wind that has unsettled him. Perhaps he had a frightening experience of a shelter collapsing on him in the past, who knows?
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Yeah, horses need equine company I'm afraid.

ETA: I think he will be more likely to bond with you if he feels secure, and tbh I doubt that will happen unless he has another horse to interact with. It really is essential to their welfare.
 
My horse cannot live alone. Last time I tried it he broke out of the field, jumped a cattle grid and galloped down the lane to get to some horses that had gone past. He had lots of cattle nearby too, so wasn't isolated, and there are people around all the time. He even got stressed when turned out in a field by himself, even though there were horses in other fields.

However, he has never, ever been the slightest bit nappy or relucant to leave his friend. I always leave the other companion shut in the stable, with plenty to eat. If I go away for a few days at a show for instance, I arrange for someone to let out the pony into the field when I have left. This has worked as the pony hasn't tried to jump out!

So some horses just have a great need for an equine friend.
 
You've had some great advice on this thread - and I do agree, even if a horse has lived alone, that's most likely not due to choice on their part, and while they may be eating, sleeping, moving around in a way that seems normal to us, that doesn't mean they're happy about the situation. It causes the same kinds of stress that we see in humans who have to suffer social isolation - you don't see the person running around making a fuss but that doesn't mean they're not anxious and distressed.

I would suggest you contact my friend Jenni for a chat about the best way to deal with the horse's situation to make it possible for you to be able to end up with the horse you hoped you had found at the beginning :)
http://www.facebook.com/jenni.nellist
 
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