New Pony doesnt like being stabled?

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Marmi452

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We have just taken on a mid teen welsh c pony who hates being stabled. Obviously in summer we can accommodate 247 turnout but come Nov he will be stabled overnight and out in the day. He gets bargy and consistantly kick and pushed the door when stabled, is there anything we can do to make his stable homely to him as such, we give adlib hay, treat ball, big straw bed tho he destoys this by box walking. Also I haven't had a older pony for a while tho 15 isnt old! What supplements should/would you give him to make sure he is in tip top shape. He has been used in a riding school for a year, previous to this he enjoyed 247 outdoor life with access to a stable if needed. Tia xx
 
If it was me then I'd leave him out, movement is best as they start getting on a bit.

But, if that's not possible then you need to start training him that stabling is ok now. Start off with short durations, come in for a bit of feed and stay in for about 30 mins or so then back out. Build up the time slowly, the aim is to time it so he's turned back out before he gets stressed so the whole experience is positive.
 
Company, food and anything else he likes - those are the sort of things you could build associations with his stable with over the next few months. As above, start with brief periods - and only take him out again when he is quiet, otherwise you will be reinforcing the kicking and barging. Can be done - I had a 17hh rescue who had never been out of his field and had lived alone after his dam had died.
It's well worth doing even if he can live out year round, just in case he needs box rest or stabling for some health reason
 
Id let him live out.
Move to a more accommodating yard if needed!

Really we are lucky so many horses are accepting of being stabled,

Im not going to start a stabled vs non stables argument but my horse has now lived out for the last 2 years and if far happier and healthier.

Its not easier than stabling as you still need to poo pick!
Move and fix fencing fencing, weeding. move hay about, tidy shelter etc

But im not so strict with times now.
I would not leave my horse with our being seen to any later than 7am when stabled, now i can have a lie in and l know hes happy!
He has hay, grass and movement.
He still whinneys when i arrive asking where his breakfast is though!
 
smellsofhorse said:
Id let him live out.
Move to a more accommodating yard if needed!

Really we are lucky so many horses are accepting of being stabled,

Im not going to start a stabled vs non stables argument but my horse has now lived out for the last 2 years and if far happier and healthier.

Its not easier than stabling as you still need to poo pick!
Move and fix fencing fencing, weeding. move hay about, tidy shelter etc

But im not so strict with times now.
I would not leave my horse with our being seen to any later than 7am when stabled, now i can have a lie in and l know hes happy!
He has hay, grass and movement.
He still whinneys when i arrive asking where his breakfast is though!
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This.
 
Get him used to it. Can you not just bring in for an hour a day at the moment and build it up over the summer. I think most horses will adapt given time and routine.
My horses have to be stabled for a certain period of time a day, end of. Anything that joins me fits in with my routine, if it really didn't adapt, it would go. I've only had to do this once with a section A.

Overnight I bring in in the winter as it works for me and is the rules of the yard, a yard I like and wish to stay at. They get all day turnout in winter and 24/7 summer if wanted (mine come in during the day due to fat EMS pony)
 
I would try bringing him for a few hours a day which would be increased during the summer and see how he goes to see where his threshold is before it sets him off

If he is really stressed out by being stabled I would find somewhere where he could live out with company and shelter

Its possible that during his lifetime he has been left in a stable for ages with no real routine, so panic, frustration and a type of claustrophobia sets in

I've seen people bring in their animals at 2.30pm as the owners have a busy day and arrive at 10.30am the next morning on a regular basis, some horses seem to manage others take on some sort of major problem being confined, they usually kick doors, crib, weave, box work or end up with colic

All animals are so different in how they deal with things, I once had one who hated going out if it was cold, wet or miserable weather, that was an interesting situation to deal with :-)
 
Mine hates being stabled and lives out all the time. If he has to be stabled he hardly eats as he frets unless he is in a stable where he can see and touch another horse over a dividing wall, even with a grill is okay. If he can do this he will tolerate being in overnight.
 
If at all possible I'd leave out 24/7. If you could have a sacrifice paddock or a smaller area sectioned off for him overnight before turning out with others during the day?

You mention he was a riding school pony for a year, was he stabled there? How did they deal with him?

I'd echo other comments above in that, if you really must stable him, start training now, bring in, feed, turn out. Extend the time he spends in the stable but always bring him out while he's still quiet.
 
A pity he cant enjoy the freedom he has been used to in the past as his stabling now seems to be making him so unhappy.Does he have another pony he gets on with in the next stable for company.?
 
If I were you, I'd move yards to one that did offer 24/7 turnout all year round if thats what the pony is used to. Seems a real shame to change his life in such a big way especially at this late stage.
 
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