Separation anxiety/bonding

[showqa]

Hi chaps,

'm in a bit of a quandry. Admittedly my fella has only been here a week, but still he seems to suffer when taken away from the field.

I know of course that he needs to see me as the herd leader and therefore be happier coming with me than staying behind, and I know that takes time, but I'm not entirely sure that leaving him out with others and then removing him from them (which is difficult for him) helps with that bond. Am I not ust becoming the "big bad wolf"? A very experienced pro has told me that if he's happy enough out alone (which he is) then for the first few weeks keep it like that until he's totally chilled with me and then let him have equine company, but at the risk of doubtng the pro, I can't help but wonder if that's cruel. Likewise, if he goes out with just one other rather than a couple. won't that just forge a twosome? I must say that he's perfectly happy stabled and when the're out of sight he's quite relaxed. It's those minutes when I bring him out and when he can hear them calling. Any tips? Ta!

 

[Leah3horses]

It's very early days.He is acting totally normally in a new home.My advice would be, at this stage, take him out of the field regularly for maybe 5/10 mins only, walk him in hand to a nice bit of grass, let him have a graze,then put him back in the field.Of course take him out to ride etc as normal, just make sure he also gets taken out for quick treats.Then he will start associating you with nice things,not just work or being in the stable.

It can take a good year to form a bond with a new horse so don't expect too much too quickly, just manage him so he has time with his horsey mates, as he also needs to find his place in the herd, and time with you, so he doesn't get too bonded to the herd and also forms a bond with you, in time.

Ride him out with as many different horses as you can, not the same one all the time, also ride out alone a lot.Groundwork will help the bond with you too.

Horses don't really see humans as a herd leader as we don't spend 365 days a year 24/7 living with the herd, so it's impossible..But they can learn to see us as a friend to have confidence in when they are with us.

You could do as the pro says but that's only treating the symptoms,not the problem, as he is going to have to learn to be part of the herd at some point and that at times he has to be with you, but he will always go back to the herd.Some horses are always a bit reluctant to leave the herd but they learn what is expected.Obviously if a horse is just left with the herd for months on end with no human interaction or routine, that is when they get 'herd bound'.

Hope this helps.Just give him time and lots of positive experiences with you.

 

[showqa]

Thanks Leah - I get your point - but he seems to be stressing more not less. Scraping the floor as I write because I've just brought him in! Horrible to hear him so wound up. But ta anyway.