Problems with horse on trial

[JBM]

So my mare before this I swear you couldn’t have another horse near her..but now her and the new horse have separation anxiety..they scream and run around the field when separated
Not sure what to do?
As I can only ride them one at a time
If I send this horse back will Judy be heartbroken??

 

[Rocky159]

Haha! You’ll have to get a third one! ?

 

[JBM]

Haha! You’ll have to get a third one! ?

No way on the planet I could afford that ? was only getting a second as Judy has retired!

 

[Tiddlypom]

Stable the one that's left behind, making sure that it can't jump out, and let it scream.

Have someone there just in case the left behind horse really does turn itself inside out, but tbh it's hopefully just a temporary stage and they will soon settle down when separated.

 

[JBM]

Stable the one that's left behind, making sure that it can't jump out, and let it scream.

Have someone there just in case the left behind horse really does turn itself inside out, but tbh it's hopefully just a temporary stage and they will soon settle down when separated.

Okie thank you ??

 

[Polos Mum]

You have to practice keeping them apart or they get more and more bonded. When I've had 2 I've made a point of shutting one in and taking the other away - even if only for 5 mins to groom out of site.

They get used to it (but both ways) so if you go on holiday and they are together 24/7 for 2 weeks - expect a month of screaming when you get back. As long as you can leave the one behind somewhere safe (I always preferred shut in) then they will get over it

 

[Horseysheepy]

Horslyx, hay net or tasty bucket feed when left in stable. Then increase the times spent separated gradually. You'll get there, don't give up!.

 

[sbloom]

There are all sorts of behaviourists that can help, this is a wonderful lady close to me in Suffolk as an example https://www.facebook.com/BridgetHug...3syJuL24KEm3z8waGtjtS3QGWE2nz5R5kDcm9DBL5RYal

 

[stangs]

Horses who’re turned out alone do tend to develop separation anxiety when given a companion at last. And horses in a new home get anxious so can grow dependent on their fieldmate.

Personally think it’s best to slowly introduce distance between them so they know the other is coming back and you’re not stressing them out too much.

The stable method just gets them over threshold ime. But if you must use it, make sure they’ve got plenty of forage in the stable, and possibly some bucket feed and enrichment.

 

[milliepops]

as this is a new development i think you will be able to address it using some of the suggestions above.

I have one on the yard at the moment who gets a bit insecure when left but i chuck her a treatball with tasty cubes in and that keeps her occupied for long enough to settle nicely. Personally i can't deal with them galloping round the field and have always addressed this in the stable.

there are some individuals that it gets "baked in", i have one that was kept alone prior to me getting her, and she has never adjusted to being left, despite much effort. i have to just make her as safe as possible and leave her to it.

 

[JBM]

Update: been separated for an hour now
Doing trailer training with Barry as he’s scared of my trailer as it has no windows! And Judy went back to eating with just the occasional scream
Barry seems to be occupied as he’s being worked
Will put him back in the field soon

 

[ArklePig]

He's called Barry? You have to keep him.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I always stable mine when one is ridden or they gallop about screaming but are fine if in.

 

[poiuytrewq]

He's called Barry? You have to keep him.

Snort ?
My OH calls my horse Barry, he can never remember horses names so gives them one of his own when they arrive. I currently have Barry and Dave!

OP I found something tasty helped, I feed hay but bought a bale of haulage and brought my left behind horse into a stable with a net of haylage. It became an acceptable compromise. I didn’t have to do it for long.

 

[milliepops]

Snort ?
My OH calls my horse Barry, he can never remember horses names so gives them one of his own when they arrive. I currently have Barry and Dave!

i have a Dave too. (Hera. he called her Dave before she even stood up after she was born!)

 

[JBM]

Well he’s very trainable so I’m really hoping he passes the vetting

 

[JBM]

Thank you for all the advice! Hopefully with more time apart they will learn the other will come back