New yard

[ohdearme]

Looking for kind words + advice please, at my wit's end!

Have had my horse 2 years, she's a stressy/hot type, but finally clicked over past year and had a fab summer competing and hacking etc.
When I got her she settled quickly into new yard/herd, and was in overnight - stable layout meant she couldn't see other horses except for one directly opposite. Never fussed by others going by, hacked out solo with no issue etc.

Have recently moved yards for the first time, with 3 other mares she was in the field with - they all went into 24/7 isolation paddock for 2 weeks.
During isolation, I brought her down to the yard to ride/lunge/groom everyday and she was mainly okay! Would jog/get excited going back out to the field but manageable.
However, there were a few occasions where her fieldmate was also brought to yard but "seperated" - e.g. fieldmate having a lesson in school, mine tied up or vice versa - and mine would lose the plot, even if she could see them! Full separation anxiety, barging/shouting/rearing/dragon snorts.

Now she is out of isolation, I am bringing her in overnight as this was her routine before - she was quite unsettled initially but seems to be improving in the stable. None of her fieldmates are currently in overnight, but they will be over winter.
However (again), this morning her fieldmate was brought into the stable as she was being ridden. Mine promptly loses the plot again, because even though they are both stabled and can see each other, they are still "seperated".
At old yard, she was fine if alone in the stable block or field, but now I think she'd kill herself if left alone in her paddock (despite being adjacent to 4 other horses!).

I am feeling very low about this, I had big plans for us over winter but this isn't the same horse, she has bitten/barged/kicked out at me and I could barely tack her up today let alone ride. Despite being a hot horse, she has always been good to handle and never so much at put her ears back at me before.
I am planning on giving her more time to settle, but if still no improvement over the next month or so, I have been advised to sell her - although not sure who would buy her in her current state!
I thought about moving her back to old yard, as would be familiar environment albeit without her bonded pals, so may settle more, but run the risk of her being even worse.

 

[SDMabel]

Looking for kind words + advice please, at my wit's end!

Have had my horse 2 years, she's a stressy/hot type, but finally clicked over past year and had a fab summer competing and hacking etc.
When I got her she settled quickly into new yard/herd, and was in overnight - stable layout meant she couldn't see other horses except for one directly opposite. Never fussed by others going by, hacked out solo with no issue etc.

Have recently moved yards for the first time, with 3 other mares she was in the field with - they all went into 24/7 isolation paddock for 2 weeks.
During isolation, I brought her down to the yard to ride/lunge/groom everyday and she was mainly okay! Would jog/get excited going back out to the field but manageable.
However, there were a few occasions where her fieldmate was also brought to yard but "seperated" - e.g. fieldmate having a lesson in school, mine tied up or vice versa - and mine would lose the plot, even if she could see them! Full separation anxiety, barging/shouting/rearing/dragon snorts.

Now she is out of isolation, I am bringing her in overnight as this was her routine before - she was quite unsettled initially but seems to be improving in the stable. None of her fieldmates are currently in overnight, but they will be over winter.
However (again), this morning her fieldmate was brought into the stable as she was being ridden. Mine promptly loses the plot again, because even though they are both stabled and can see each other, they are still "seperated".
At old yard, she was fine if alone in the stable block or field, but now I think she'd kill herself if left alone in her paddock (despite being adjacent to 4 other horses!).

I am feeling very low about this, I had big plans for us over winter but this isn't the same horse, she has bitten/barged/kicked out at me and I could barely tack her up today let alone ride. Despite being a hot horse, she has always been good to handle and never so much at put her ears back at me before.
I am planning on giving her more time to settle, but if still no improvement over the next month or so, I have been advised to sell her - although not sure who would buy her in her current state!
I thought about moving her back to old yard, as would be familiar environment albeit without her bonded pals, so may settle more, but run the risk of her being even worse.

I don't see how selling would help this mare, she would likely fall into the wrong hands and get passed around .

She's had a big change, some are very sensitive and take a while to settle into a new routine, Mares more so than geldings i have found.

Is there an option to change whom she is turned out with and see if this improves things ? is it a much busier yard - could that be unsettling her ?

If she was settled at the old yard and you are really struggling i would see about moving her back here rather than selling her.

She sounds incredibly stressed (appreciate it's not nice for you either !!)

In the meantime, bring in with hats, gloves , bridle if needed .

 

[ohdearme]

I don't see how selling would help this mare, she would likely fall into the wrong hands and get passed around .

She's had a big change, some are very sensitive and take a while to settle into a new routine, Mares more so than geldings i have found.

Is there an option to change whom she is turned out with and see if this improves things ? is it a much busier yard - could that be unsettling her ?

If she was settled at the old yard and you are really struggling i would see about moving her back here rather than selling her.

She sounds incredibly stressed (appreciate it's not nice for you either !!)

In the meantime, bring in with hats, gloves , bridle if needed .

Thanks for the reply + advice. Yes, I'm not overly keen on selling her but may have to be a final option if all else fails
Yard is no busier than last one, the only major changes at new yard are it's smaller group turnout (currently herd of 4, previously 6-10) and stable block is open/can see others.
I could ask about moving her into another field, although not sure it'll help much as she would still be able to see her old buddies.

It's very difficult to feel connected to her at the mo, I thought I knew her well but she's completely different now and so unpredictable.

 

[Bellaboo18]

It is early days and hopefully she'll settle but I would consider moving her back to her previous yard if that's possible.

My mare absolutely hated the last yard we were on, she just never settled, we were there 18 months and I kept telling myself it would be unfair to move her again (even moving her back). We were in the process of moving house and her with us so I waited it out but I do regret it. She's settled straight away at home but there was just something about that yard she didn't like and it wasn't particularly obvious what it was. Although I will say there were a lot of unsettled horses there.

Sorry you're going through this, I know it's miserable when they're unsettled.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Is she on any type of calmer at all? If she were mine I’d be ”taking the edge off” her anxiety to help her settle and to get used to new place and routines. Sometimes you ve got to go through a pain barrier with behaviour..almost as if you ve bought a new horse and are getting used to one another.I hope it gets better for you both as selling seems a bit sad.

 

[Arzada]

I thought about moving her back to old yard, as would be familiar environment albeit without her bonded pals, so may settle more, but run the risk of her being even worse.

You won't know unless you try. Can you ask the old YO if they're willing to have you back to see if your mare settles and then can she stay there?

I'm not overly keen on selling her but may have to be a final option if all else fails

So you've moved yards but even though your mare has the same handler (you) and the same field buddies she is very unsettled. I don't see how selling her to strangers into an unknown lifestyle etc will help her.

I'd return to the first yard and take it from there. Somehow you need to explain to both YOs, on behalf of your mare, that you're trying to find a solution for her and please can you have a space kept open and pay for it.

 

[ohdearme]

Is she on any type of calmer at all? If she were mine I’d be ”taking the edge off” her anxiety to help her settle and to get used to new place and routines. Sometimes you ve got to go through a pain barrier with behaviour..almost as if you ve bought a new horse and are getting used to one another.I hope it gets better for you both as selling seems a bit sad.

She's not but I might try this - she was leaving her feed previously but has just started having a nibble!

 

[SDMabel]

Thanks for the reply + advice. Yes, I'm not overly keen on selling her but may have to be a final option if all else fails
Yard is no busier than last one, the only major changes at new yard are it's smaller group turnout (currently herd of 4, previously 6-10) and stable block is open/can see others.
I could ask about moving her into another field, although not sure it'll help much as she would still be able to see her old buddies.

It's very difficult to feel connected to her at the mo, I thought I knew her well but she's completely different now and so unpredictable.

I'd take it all back to basics, don't expect anything from her - she's in flight/ panic mode and probably feels very unsure of everything.

When you say fieldmate , do you mean just one of the 4 she's become attached to or all four of them ?

A field change if it's just the one may help... or it may not ! But i would say it's worth a try.

If she was mine and your previous yard was suitable i would probably move her back for both of your sake.

As Midlife suggested a calmer might help to take the edge off of things too.

 

[SEL]

Was she ok at the new yard until you started bringing her in at night while her herd stayed out?

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

It does seem a pity to think of selling her on when you have had such a happy summer with her and two years work with her was definitely paying off. The point is, although at the moment your horse is a stranger to you and a not very nice one at that, you do know how very different she can be and how much you enjoyed her when she was settled.

I would also suggest trying a calmer and change of field, if not have a chat with the old YO and see if they will let you try returning her to that yard to see if she settles again. Incidentally, I have always found pure valerian root sprinkled in their feed is the best and cheapest calmer in this type of case, (i.e already highly strung and reactive mare totally losing the plot in certain circumstances) but it does take a few days to get into the system, just don't use it if you are intending to compete!

 

[AmyMay]

How long has she been at the new yard?

 

[ohdearme]

Thanks everyone for your help, it’s definitely a tricky situation!

Was she ok at the new yard until you started bringing her in at night while her herd stayed out?

No, she was unsettled beforehand too. Although fine when brought in/ridden alone, just kicks off mainly when other horses (esp her field friends) are on yard but separated or leave yard without her!

 

[ohdearme]

How long has she been at the new yard?

2 weeks out 24/7 and nearly a week with coming in overnight. I know it’s not long so won’t be rushing into anything but just need a plan incase her behaviour doesn’t improve

 

[ohdearme]

I'd take it all back to basics, don't expect anything from her - she's in flight/ panic mode and probably feels very unsure of everything.

When you say fieldmate , do you mean just one of the 4 she's become attached to or all four of them ?

A field change if it's just the one may help... or it may not ! But i would say it's worth a try.

If she was mine and your previous yard was suitable i would probably move her back for both of your sake.

As Midlife suggested a calmer might help to take the edge off

I'd take it all back to basics, don't expect anything from her - she's in flight/ panic mode and probably feels very unsure of everything.

When you say fieldmate , do you mean just one of the 4 she's become attached to or all four of them ?

A field change if it's just the one may help... or it may not ! But i would say it's worth a try.

If she was mine and your previous yard was suitable i would probably move her back for both of your sake.

As Midlife suggested a calmer might help to take the edge off of things too.

She seems bonded to all 3 field mates but much worse with one in particular. We all went for a hack last weekend and she was perfect, not a hoof wrong, until I put her in stable to untack and the others went straight out to field…cue the screaming!!

 

[AmyMay]

2 weeks out 24/7 and nearly a week with coming in overnight. I know it’s not long so won’t be rushing into anything but just need a plan incase her behaviour doesn’t improve

Oh, gosh it’s no time at all.

Just carry on as you mean to go on.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It sounds like separation anxiety why are you bringing in at night when no one else is?

I would stick to what everyone else is doing as it's a new yard and she needs to feel secure.

 

[AmyMay]

It sounds like separation anxiety why are you bringing in at night when no one else is?

I would stick to what everyone else is doing as it's a new yard and she needs to feel secure.

I tend to agree with this.

 

[ohdearme]

It sounds like separation anxiety why are you bringing in at night when no one else is?

I would stick to what everyone else is doing as it's a new yard and she needs to feel secure.

I tend to agree with this.

She has been in overnight for the past 2 years, except for these 2 weeks of isolation, so thought going back to routine may help. There are plenty of others in overnight, just not her fieldmates

 

[AmyMay]

She has been in overnight for the past 2 years, except for these 2 weeks of isolation, so thought going back to routine may help. There are plenty of others in overnight, just not her fieldmates

Which is understandable. But sometimes we have to take the easier route.

 

[mini-eventer]

I suspect she will improve with time, try to stay calm and consistent even though she is being a nightmare. Deep breaths, and sometimes it easier to walk away. Try not to react to the screaming and stressing she needs to see you as strong and dependable. If you get wound up it will reiterate to her that there is something to get wound up about. Also a calmer may be helpful in the short term.

Its still early days and her routine has not been established yet. She is clinging to what is familiar - her friends. It is common that horses are ok leaving their friends but have a melt down when their friends leave them

 

[Arzada]

She has been in overnight for the past 2 years, except for these 2 weeks of isolation, so thought going back to routine may help. There are plenty of others in overnight, just not her fieldmates

I think you've found the answer

Your mare doesn't know that her herd mates are still on the premises. For all she knows every time that she is separated that's it.

One of the most memorable passages of 'For The Love Of Horses' is about 2 horses who were bought and brought in but became separated in the line of old ex warhorses feeding. Extremely hungry though these horses were one of them wouldn't stop to eat but instead ran up and down the line looking for its working partner. 'For The Love of Horses' is a very emotional read about the history of Dorothy Brooke going to Egypt to find and buy every UK warhorse that had been sold post war into a very harsh working regime and to give it food and comfort for a week before being PTS.

 

[dorsetladette]

She seems bonded to all 3 field mates but much worse with one in particular. We all went for a hack last weekend and she was perfect, not a hoof wrong, until I put her in stable to untack and the others went straight out to field…cue the screaming!!

I'd be tempted to try leaving her out at night and mimic the others routine. When everyone else is brought in at night start her too. Next winter it will probably not matter as she will have got her head around the move.

 

[ohdearme]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your input. I’m wary of leaving her out 24/7 with her friends again, in case this increases their bond and makes her behaviour even worse when separated. I’ve had lots of people tell me to give them time apart and persist with this.
Her behaviour hasn’t really changed before vs after being brought in overnight.

I don’t understand how a horse who was previously 100% to hack alone and be stabled/turned out alone can so suddenly turn into the opposite

 

[ohdearme]

After reading everyone's replies (and about 100 other similar posts on here!) the decision I'm struggling with is whether to wait it out or move.

I've read a lot of thread replies from people saying their horses never settled, went back to normal immediately after moving to old/different yard etc and to just move now if horse clearly unhappy.

However also read plenty that say horses take their time to settle, can be 3-6 months/longer etc, and to just persist.

From a non-horse perspective, new yard has amazing facilities/livery services/horse transport for competitions etc. whereas old yard is closer & cheaper but none of the aforementioned.

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Looking for kind words + advice please, at my wit's end!

Have had my horse 2 years, she's a stressy/hot type, but finally clicked over past year and had a fab summer competing and hacking etc.
When I got her she settled quickly into new yard/herd, and was in overnight - stable layout meant she couldn't see other horses except for one directly opposite. Never fussed by others going by, hacked out solo with no issue etc.

Have recently moved yards for the first time, with 3 other mares she was in the field with - they all went into 24/7 isolation paddock for 2 weeks.
During isolation, I brought her down to the yard to ride/lunge/groom everyday and she was mainly okay! Would jog/get excited going back out to the field but manageable.
However, there were a few occasions where her fieldmate was also brought to yard but "seperated" - e.g. fieldmate having a lesson in school, mine tied up or vice versa - and mine would lose the plot, even if she could see them! Full separation anxiety, barging/shouting/rearing/dragon snorts.

Now she is out of isolation, I am bringing her in overnight as this was her routine before - she was quite unsettled initially but seems to be improving in the stable. None of her fieldmates are currently in overnight, but they will be over winter.
However (again), this morning her fieldmate was brought into the stable as she was being ridden. Mine promptly loses the plot again, because even though they are both stabled and can see each other, they are still "seperated".
At old yard, she was fine if alone in the stable block or field, but now I think she'd kill herself if left alone in her paddock (despite being adjacent to 4 other horses!).

I am feeling very low about this, I had big plans for us over winter but this isn't the same horse, she has bitten/barged/kicked out at me and I could barely tack her up today let alone ride. Despite being a hot horse, she has always been good to handle and never so much at put her ears back at me before.
I am planning on giving her more time to settle, but if still no improvement over the next month or so, I have been advised to sell her - although not sure who would buy her in her current state!
I thought about moving her back to old yard, as would be familiar environment albeit without her bonded pals, so may settle more, but run the risk of her being even worse.

Mine is a stress head, the queen of stress heads I call a donut as sometimes the brain is not wired properly. I just found this and so far so good. https://www.supplementsolutions.co.uk/trm-good-as-gold-equine

Mine cannot have magnesium calmers, she benefits from this added.

Do horses need tryptophan?


So stressed horses may become tryptophan deficient. And tryptophan deficient horses will benefit from tryptophan supplementation. Hence the ONLY horses that will benefit from tryptophan will be those that stress a lot.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Thank you everyone, I appreciate your input. I’m wary of leaving her out 24/7 with her friends again, in case this increases their bond and makes her behaviour even worse when separated. I’ve had lots of people tell me to give them time apart and persist with this.
Her behaviour hasn’t really changed before vs after being brought in overnight.

I don’t understand how a horse who was previously 100% to hack alone and be stabled/turned out alone can so suddenly turn into the opposite

Her behaviour has changed because she is unhappy and not settled so you need to change some things so you can find out what she needs.

 

[ycbm]

Her behaviour has changed because she is unhappy and not settled so you need to change some things so you can find out what she needs.

She may just need no change to happen for a while, if she's been upset by the change.
.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

She may just need no change to happen for a while, if she's been upset by the change.
.

Yes maybe as its early days

 

[dottylottie]

when i bought lily she settled almost immediately, and after moving to this yard that i thought would suit her more for her rehab, she turned into an absolute fruit cake - she’s now cool as a cucumber, doesn’t mind being left in the block on her own, her bed is cleaner because she’s not wandering round all the time (still a dirty madam tho), and will go out on her own if needs be without shouting her head off.

if you like this yard, i’d give her more time but try and make some changes - if she’s already unsettled it can’t hurt to see what she’s like when she’s kept in the same routine as the other horses!