Separation anxiety

[J_sarahd]

Nova has moved into a new field with a gelding. She’s currently in season and seems to have got separation anxiety. She’s quite a stressy horse anyway and does freak out if she’s got no neighbours. But it’s getting to the point where she’s screaming if she’s in and he isn’t (sometimes even if he is in), really rushing to be taken out, and being really distracted if she can hear him when she is in the school. Unfortunately, the owners of the gelding always bring him in or want him brought in if she is in to be ridden etc which I don’t think helps.

Any tips? I am hoping that most of it is her just being in season and it will settle down in a week but it’s more annoying than anything as I’m struggling to ride her. I am doing groundwork with her to try and get her attention on me and not him, but it’s hit and miss.

 

[Clodagh]

A mare and a gelding as a pair is, in my experience, always bad news.

 

[Barton Bounty]

It is never a good idea for just two to be field mates especially a mare and gelding. They get so attached. If I had to share a field, I would section it halfway and let my horse have its own space then it doesnt need to rely on company would that be an option

 

[J_sarahd]

That makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s another at the yard we can add to the field. I can ask if adding one of the owner’s other ponies (who is at another yard) to the field is an option. It’s just annoying as the gelding needs to be with another I think, so I’ll be leaving them in the lurch if I want to move fields again. But it’s not even been a week yet and I already can’t handle it!

 

[Barton Bounty]

That makes a lot of sense. Unfortunately I don’t think there’s another at the yard we can add to the field. I can ask if adding one of the owner’s other ponies (who is at another yard) to the field is an option. It’s just annoying as the gelding needs to be with another I think, so I’ll be leaving them in the lurch if I want to move fields again. But it’s not even been a week yet and I already can’t handle it!

I get what your saying but it is not in your mares best interests to be in this situation, it can create a whole lot of issues and probably ulcers! . Can the field you are in be split into two? Just with electric fence posts and tape?

 

[J_sarahd]

I get what your saying but it is not in your mares best interests to be in this situation, it can create a whole lot of issues and probably ulcers! . Can the field you are in be split into two? Just with electric fence posts and tape?

I agree. The last thing I want is the issues I can see being created for both me and her - hence me asking what to do. I’ll message the owner and see what she says.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I agree. The last thing I want is the issues I can see being created for both me and her - hence me asking what to do. I’ll message the owner and see what she says.

I think thats best! Your gonna worry, she’s worrying. Its a shame they dont understand

 

[Caol Ila]

Two in a field/barn isn't ideal. I hate to say it, but I don't think dividing the paddock will make that much difference. They will still only have one another, whether there is a bit of electric tape beween them or not. In my experience, the most effective way to sort out that kind of separation anxiety is to house the horse in a larger group -- ideally herd turnout, but if you must have individual or paired turnout (been there), have a set-up where they have more than one paddock/horse around them.

I would also avoid barns where stabling consists of two horses in one building, three in another, etc. etc. My old horse, who had never shown any separation anxiety, suddenly got it when I moved to a yard with that set-up. She could not see the horses in the other buildings. If her stable buddy wasn't in, she would lose her sh1t. I don't know if this is how your barn is arranged, but if it is, it won't help.

Some mares can also get pretty stupid around geldings. After some shenanigans last year, Hermosa is banned from mixed herds.