New Yard turnout concerns

[Angua2]

I am probably being silly but I think I am looking for some assurance that everything will sort and I am being a worrywart!

Last week I moved yards, a move forced by a number of factors one of which was the horse sick fields. When the summer fields opened this year there was no growth, which ment that I was feeding hay in the field thoughout the summer. Due to the weather conditions and the fact there was no grass I called time on the fields in September.

Yesterday my mare went out in the field for the first time since September. The introduction to the other 6 mares seemed to go very very well. There was the minimum of agro at there were times when I saw her grazing with another mare. But of the 3 hours my girl was out she spent 3/4 of that stood on her own cribbing like mad on the water feeder.

When I brought her in she had lost a shoe (thats another issue), and a little blood around her nose but she was almost desperate to go into her stable.

SHe is eating well (in her finicky TB ways), and seems quite chilled, still as loving, but I am worried.

THis is the first time I have moved yards as I was at the last yard for 7 years and the turnout was in pairs, not herds. So I am not sure if this is normal.

 

[galaxy]

I'm sure she'll settle, try not to panic. Does she usually crib much?

Personally I don't like (and wouldn't go to) a yard which didn't do gradual introduction of a new horse into a group. Turning your horse out so it can meet it's new friends over a fence for a few days to a week is a lot more stress free for the horses and the owners!! Is there no way your yard would accomodate this?

 

[bj_cardiff]

I wouldn't worry about it, if they just ignored her for most of the time thats not a bad thing, better than them all crowding round and scaring her anyway. As their an established group it'll take a while for her to become part of it. If she's not been turned out since sept then its hardly suprising she was insecure and cribbing a lot and wanted to get back to the security of her box.

I'd just stick with it, she'll be happier once she's part of the herd.

 

[julieleach9]

I always prefer the 'turning out with one from the herd to make friends' idea. do this for a week and then put them all together. They get a chance to meet others over the fence, but they are only in contact with one, who may then stick up for them in the main field.

If can effect this, I would asap, but if not, just stick with and I'm sure they'll sort themselves out. The change to her diet alone may be enough to stress her out. Is the cribbing ulcer related? There may be something you can give her to help her through the stressful time, something to assist the gut.

Good luck!

 

[badgerdog]

It's normal herd behaviour for the other horses to ignore her and push her to the periphery. After a week or so she'll find her pecking order and be part of the herd. I personally wouldn't want my horse to be just turned out in pairs as they can get very clingy and you can end up with seperation issues.
Good luck with your new yard, a move can be traumatic to both you and your horse.

 

[Tinypony]

Does she crib normally? I'd say she's been overwhelmed by the move and the sudden introduction to a large new group of horses. Will the cribbing stop? Hard to tell, particulary if she does it anyway. The longer they crib the less likely they are to stop, because cribbing releases endorphins into the system. Is there any chance of taking her into separate grazing with a mare she seems to get on with to see if that helps her?
On a slightly "alternative" note, it won't cost you a lot to try some Bach remedies, and all I can say is that I've used these in the past with surprisingly good results. Get Star of Bethlehem and Walnut. Put about 4 drops of each in every feed, and if you go visit your horse do the same on a bit of apple (extra drops won't do any harm). I would also try Valerian in feeds for a week or so, just to help her to be calm.

 

[Angua2]

Thank you all for your reassurances....I will stop being a total worry wart. I guess it is because I am also a little out of my comfort zone too.

To ease the initial turnout, I had the opportunity to hack her out with the dominant mare and another mare in her field and I think that did help, and there was very little or no agro when she did go out.

Pleased to report that she had a better day today, and while I was there spent all the time away from the fence and water trough stuffing her face, apparently she was the same after I left to go dressage writing.

She has always cribbed, and silly as it sounds, I try not to make an issue of it. However, when she is cribbing rather than eating, I know her stress levels are too high and thats when I start to worry.
Thanks for the bach remedy suggestions, I will definatly invest - think I have some walnut somewhere. I thought she was dealing with everything very well, but I was wrong (she is a good actress!).