New horse suffering from anxiety

[Leezle279]

Hi, I’ve just bought a seven yr old thoroughbred who was calm as you like on trial (at own yard) but once home he has became very nervous. Generally whooshing about when in his stable, stamping and rushing round when tied up and yesterday spinning and prancing/running backwards when ridden. So much so that my daughter jumped off in fear (she’s not a nervous rider usually). As soon as I arrived minutes later he was calm and followed me around like a lamb doing everything he wouldn’t for her before. Is it possible he’s just suffering anxiety from the move and has bonded with me only? He is my horse so that’s ok but I’m worried he might get worse and what can I do to help him settle like he was before. Any advice would be greatly received ?

 

[be positive]

He may well be unsettled due to moving a lot are, he is a horse so will not bond but may find you are a calming influence, can trust you more and that your daughter is not giving off the same vibes, they seem to know who to trust, that is not being critical of your daughter but it may be that she is a bit less relaxed or possibly too relaxed and not clear enough with him, try to set him up to succeed by getting him into a routine, if you can turn out before riding so he has more time to settle, have a run about he may be less inclined to be stressy.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I've quoted your post from your other thread because it has some more info in it which might be helpful.

move had him three weeks but he’s been turned out with the herd to mix as there’s no one else in atm.

I just want to clarify something though. Do you mean that when you bring him down to the yard to tack up and ride, that he is the only horse there as all the others are still in the field?

I know that things have been difficult with the virus situation, but *normally* I try to do the first few rides (I would choose short, circular/lollipop shaped hacks as that is my preference) with another horse from the yard that is calm and has a sensible owner.

 

[Leezle279]

I've quoted your post from your other thread because it has some more info in it which might be helpful.



I just want to clarify something though. Do you mean that when you bring him down to the yard to tack up and ride, that he is the only horse there as all the others are still in the field?

I know that things have been difficult with the virus situation, but *normally* I try to do the first few rides (I would choose short, circular/lollipop shaped hacks as that is my preference) with another horse from the yard that is calm and has a sensible owner.

Thanks,
I bring him up sometimes on his own but always make sure there’s another horse on the yard (we have a couple of laminatics who don’t go out much) this does seem to calm him but yesterday there was a few horses and people around so he wasn’t alone. It’s not naughtiness he’s showing, it’s real fear but as long as I stay with him he calms down. He responds to the voice a lot and touch which is good, the stable he is put in is the one my last horse died in six weeks ago. Could he possibly know this somehow?

 

[Leezle279]

He may well be unsettled due to moving a lot are, he is a horse so will not bond but may find you are a calming influence, can trust you more and that your daughter is not giving off the same vibes, they seem to know who to trust, that is not being critical of your daughter but it may be that she is a bit less relaxed or possibly too relaxed and not clear enough with him, try to set him up to succeed by getting him into a routine, if you can turn out before riding so he has more time to settle, have a run about he may be less inclined to be stressy.

My daughter does have a nervous energy about her which some horses don’t seem to like, her own horse doesn’t mind and loves her but my old horse actively disliked her. It was a standing joke on the yard.

 

[emilylou]

My thoroughbred can suffer from anxiety and was dreadful when she first moved here. Things that helped:
- remain calm and insist on manners in a calm but firm way, even if anxious. My mare would happily flatten me when tacking her up because of her anxiety but being told that she couldn't do this and being made to be still actually calmed her
- hack in company initially
- don't bring onto yard alone, always have another (ideally calm) horse about
- ride regularly, give him enough stimulation but don't be too demanding with new things
- keep a routine
- cut out all hard feed if possible
- don't make a big deal about the meltdowns
- try and eliminate stressful situations as much as reasonably possible- i.e. not being stabled on an empty yard, turned out alone etc.
- only be handled/ridden by calm, assertive people who aren't intimidated by him

expect it to take a while for him to relax

 

[Leezle279]

My thoroughbred can suffer from anxiety and was dreadful when she first moved here. Things that helped:
- remain calm and insist on manners in a calm but firm way, even if anxious. My mare would happily flatten me when tacking her up because of her anxiety but being told that she couldn't do this and being made to be still actually calmed her
- hack in company initially
- don't bring onto yard alone, always have another (ideally calm) horse about
- ride regularly, give him enough stimulation but don't be too demanding with new things
- keep a routine
- cut out all hard feed if possible
- don't make a big deal about the meltdowns
- try and eliminate stressful situations as much as reasonably possible- i.e. not being stabled on an empty yard, turned out alone etc.
- only be handled/ridden by calm, assertive people who aren't intimidated by him

expect it to take a while for him to relax

Thank you, I’m sure it’s just stress from moving as on his old yard he was so chillled whenever I visited. I know it’s early days also and my old horse was an unfazable cob so this is new to me. Other than this new behaviour he’s so loving and sweet so I’m sure he’ll settle down in time. We usually have a pretty rigid routine so that’ll help but atm it’s not really possible to put that into place.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

RE your old horse dying in the stable. Was the body there long? Did your clean the stable? Death does have a smell and horses have a better sense of smell than we do.

I would have scrubbed the stable down (you may have done this anyway) with diluted Jeyes fluid and replaced all the bedding, cleaned the buckets etc... making sure to rinse everything thoroughly and to give the stable a good airing too.

I think that as you have a calmer energy, it's probably better that you deal with him especially while he is settling in.

Post number 6 is very helpful and I definitely agree. Think of it as setting yourself and the horse up for success.

 

[Leezle279]

RE your old horse dying in the stable. Was the body there long? Did your clean the stable? Death does have a smell and horses have a better sense of smell than we do.

I would have scrubbed the stable down (you may have done this anyway) with diluted Jeyes fluid and replaced all the bedding, cleaned the buckets etc... making sure to rinse everything thoroughly and to give the stable a good airing too.

I think that as you have a calmer energy, it's probably better that you deal with him especially while he is settling in.

Post number 6 is very helpful and I definitely agree. Think of it as setting yourself and the horse up for success.

She was in there for about three hours before the crem took her. I’ve cleaned the stable but the other horses were very upset like they knew something happened.