separation-anxiety?

[S_Farrah]

Hi all,

Okay, where do I start?
My share horse has a very strong bond with her field companion and the two other horses on the yard and becomes instantly agitated when seperated from them. When taken in from the field and up into the empty yard she becomes very distressed - pacing in her stable and calling to them. Her hay net seems distract her temporarily, but this may only last for 15 minuites!

When riding in the school I find it didifficult to keep her attention on me, no matter how many half halts and circles I try. She often gazes in the direction of her friends. When riding a few weeks ago all the horses were moved into a field out of sight, causing her to become very agitated - she began calling to them and was completely out of my control.

When leading her she often barges into me and treads on my feet, when this happens whats the best way to deal with it head on, if you know what I mean? The lack of respect and trust she has in my makes me feel angery and upset which I know just makes everything worse. I desperately want her to enjoy being ridden by me and feel safe with me and not worry about the absence of her friends. I would love to be able to hack out alone with her rather than working in the school, but it's just not possible at the moment.
It's strange because the first few times I rode her I didn't really have any problems ( I've only been riding her for a couple of months) people have said 'She's just putting it on because she thinks you're soft.' Is this the case? What should I do?!
I just have no idea where to start. Should I join up with her? I've never tried it before but I've read Kelly Marks 'Creating a bond with your horse' and I'm familiar with the stages....


If you've read this far, you're a star and any help/suggestions are very much appreciated!

 

[E_Lister]

I think you should talk to the owner, ask what they think. Does she do it when ridden with them? If you know how they behave then, you might be able to see if there is a big difference.

I would reccommend a sharp tug on the headcollar and a growl if they try barge or trample you. Violence is not the answer, but bringing it to their attention straight away that you wont stand for it is. So long as you are firm but fair, this should work. Again, talk to the owner, see how they deal with it, if you replicate this, the horse should know they are doing wrong and see you as the "Second authority."

Hopefully if you deal with them "trying it on" as soon as it happens and in a firm and fair way, eventually they will realise you don't stand for behaviour like it and begin to respect you more.

As for trust, spend as much time as you can with them, grooming etc. There isn't a quick fix and the longer you know the horse, the stronger the trust bond should be!

Are you having lessons on the horse? An instructor might be able to help with keeping the horse entertained when ridden. Is there anyone on the yard that could hack out with you too? If so, hacking in company until you know the horse well might be a good idea.

Don't know anything about the join up though, never tried it!

Hopefully this helps

 

[S_Farrah]

Hi, thanks for the reply!

The owner had a fall a few years back, damaging her back therefore can not ride.

I understand what you are saying but how do I deal with her neighing and making a fuss in a firm but fair way?

Thanks for all the advice!

 

[E_Lister]

If she has genuine anxiety this will be very difficult to solve I would imagine and I would advise you to get the help of an expert.

I am definitely not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but I can give you my own experiences so see if they help

My old loan pony suffered from separation anxiety but she took the pee with me as well because she knew I was a soft touch (at first!!) She used to scream as soon as I tied her up and would swing on the end of the rope from side to side, she would paw the ground and generally make a massive fuss.

I talked to her owner, who said that it was separation anxiety but she would really take the pee if she thought I would let her. She then came and helped me with her. Firstly, she pointed out that I should constantly talk to her, it shows her I am there and she isn't totally on her own. Secondly, she said if she swung about on the rope I should square her up, every time she swung on the rope, I had to push her hindquarters back to where they had been clearly saying NO when she did, eventually she got the message and now if it looks like she is going to move about, if I say NO in a low and authoritative way she keeps still.

This took a long time though and was incredibly frustrating for me as it felt for a long time like she wasn't making any progress! She is in no way perfect, but although upset to be away from her friends, I no longer get deafened by her screams or squashed by an errant back end as she swings about!

There was an article about dealing with horses like this in Horse recently, a good read and I think it would be helpful for you I can't remember the month though, but I have a hunch the horse was a welshie. Can't get to the magazines as I'm away but it might give you a clue. It was in the solving behavioural problems section.