Restless baby mare

[IssyBern]

Hello,
I have a 3 year old mare who is full of character and has a amazing bond with me, like im her lead mare. The issue i am having is she seems to be restless in the stable. She is currently in a bull pen stable combo with no door in-between.
She has the habit of going into the stable taking hay and walking straight out (Wouldn't call it weaving or circling more inquisitive). This is normally on her first night in then she calms. It also seems worse when i am around eve though im super chill and will sit calmly with her for hours!

Any suggestions on helping her to settle?!, i just wish she could learn to switch off but that's the age i know!

THANKS



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[be positive]

You say it is usually on her first night in, is she only in some nights and out others? if so she is probably just unsettled because there is no routine and she is unsure whether she is going out or staying in, if she was in every night she would probably settle down more quickly.
It sounds like a good set up but I would probably put some hay outside so she can eat where she prefers to be, can she see other horses when she is inside as that may be why she wants to be out, you sitting watching her for hours again may be putting her on edge if she is wondering what you have planned for her, if she relaxes more when she cannot see you try and find somewhere to hide and watch her without her knowing, setting up a camera would allow you to see her while you are inside in the warm.

As long as she does settle when left she will be fine.

 

[IssyBern]

she comes in every friday to monday and this has become a regular thing over the last month and a half which she seems to have picked up on. She can see horses during the day but not at night as the stables are out of sight but this has never been a issue before, but it is a new yard and the horses are all high energy here. she is closer to the path and lots of people stop to say hi and drive past so maybe shes looking for the interaction!
The hay out side is a great idea maybe a hay net would be a good set up so she doesn't trample it into her droppings I see where youre coming from about sitting with her but i feel like that may not be the issue ive been at it for the last year, cant help but sit with her and read a book, she often falls asleep in my lap i think she enjoys the company.
Probably worrying over nothing just wish she could stand and relax during the day!! Thank you

 

[be positive]

You are worrying for no real reason about how she is behaving but to keep a youngster shut in for 4 days out of 7 is not a good routine even if she appears to be ok with it she is not happy she is just accepting it, she really needs to get out during the day even if it is only a few hours while the weather is bad, a youngster needs to interact with other horses at least some of the time, she needs equine company more than human company, getting out in a field and being a horse is what a 3 year old should be doing most of the time.

 

[IssyBern]

defiantly couldn't agree more, she is out in the day (9-6) but as theres a shuffle around going on she actually has less company in her field as her neighbours have moved due to an injury. but hoping in the next weeks shell have a companion and her in hand behaviour will be better so no need to have her in, i'm much more into living out as she prefers the space to run around in! thanks for the help and re-assurance