Preventing separation anxiety

[I don’t like mondays]

Is there anything I can do to prevent separation anxiety in our new horse? We’ve got a lovely new horse, and he’s just settling in, living next to our other horse. Both horses live out 24/7 surrounded by others, but so far the new horse is showing signs of getting attached to my daughters pony, he calls out if he goes into the yard, paces etc (totally understandable because everything is so new for him but don’t want to get a long term issue if there are things I can do to help). Is anything I can do to prevent separation anxiety (or if it’s inevitable in some horses/situations)? I’m keen to do TRT groundwork to help him in general but this will take time. Thanks

 

[Wizpop]

Everything takes time as you have said. I would persevere with separating them for very short periods of time and spend time doing ground work and establishing your bond with him too.

 

[ponynutz]

Mirrors in the stable or field shelter.
To a certain extent let them 'cry it out' - eventually they'll realise horse always comes back.
See if you have enough room for a Shetland or a sheep or something to keep company - even a human being out there could help a bit.
Also as above work up in small increments.

It might never go away - our other horse cries whenever I even go for a hack and doesn't stop until she comes back but the things above help her to settle down in-between moments of anxiety.

 

[Peglo]

Could you put a bucket or haynet out to him when you take the other pony away so he gets something good out of it?

agree with wizpop. Keep separating them and slowly increase the time they are apart.

 

[Wishfilly]

Glad you've managed to find a new horse.

I think being left is difficult for horses. If you bring him onto the yard, and stable him where he can see company, what does he do? I know it's a bit of a faff, but he might cope with that better than being left in the field alone- even with others in sight?

Equally, if it's all very new, it may improve over time.

 

[Sir barnaby]

I have just acquired my granddaughters Shetland pony. He is on limited grazing and my field is L shaped so when my horse disappears into the bit behind the trees Dave whinnies and paces. Luckily he respects the electric fence and after 10/15 minutes Barney comes back for a little while but continues to disappear often during the day to get the fresh grass. Dave has got better in just over a week of arriving and now knows Barney will come back every so often. I do bring them both in when I hack out and Shetland stays in the stable he’s not ever so happy when I leave the yard but settles once I’m out of sight and he’s safe and cannot escape and better than being left in the field even though there are some other horses in neighbouring fields. I find it’s a case of working on it and managing the best you can.

 

[rabatsa]

Ben Hart has a solving seperation distress group on facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/644124016693415/

 

[I don’t like mondays]

Thanks everyone for all the replies. Some good ideas here ?

 

[ohdearme]

Is there anything I can do to prevent separation anxiety in our new horse? We’ve got a lovely new horse, and he’s just settling in, living next to our other horse. Both horses live out 24/7 surrounded by others, but so far the new horse is showing signs of getting attached to my daughters pony, he calls out if he goes into the yard, paces etc (totally understandable because everything is so new for him but don’t want to get a long term issue if there are things I can do to help). Is anything I can do to prevent separation anxiety (or if it’s inevitable in some horses/situations)? I’m keen to do TRT groundwork to help him in general but this will take time. Thanks

Hi! Just wondered if yours settled eventually? I'm in a similar boat now and finding it quite stressful.