Seperation anxiety help and also help with attention seeking behaviour

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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Well the new huge lad is still settling in well and being a good boy, two things though I'd like advise on:

We took him out on his own again today and left the old girl behind, he was ok about going although he did spin round once and try and head back to yard but it was very half hearted, turned him back round and he was then fine for rest of hack. The old girl however screamed and screamed for him. It's hard because she can't come with us all the time as we don't think she'll cope with long hacks and we also want to get them used to being seperated. She's left in her stable so she's safe but any tips on trying to keep her calmer? Another horse isn't a option.

Also the big lad (or piggly wiggly as he's now known:)) does not like to be left when he's tied up, good as gold when you're grooming him but as soon as you step away he starts tugging on the lead rope, scrapping the floor and generally wanting you to be with him. I think because he's come from such a busy yard he's had tons of people fussing around him. Again any tips?

Thanks xx
 
Well I wouldn't leave a tied-up horse unattended. That's an accident waiting to happen IMO. Do you have to tie him up or can you do him in the box? I never tie up. I always give mine some thing to eat to keep her occupied while I groom etc. She is then well-mannered enough to back away from the hay when asked so that I can put the bridle on when I am ready. I can leave her in the certain knowledge that she is safe while I go to put boots/hat etc on, while she is eating.

As for the old lady, do you leave her with something to eat? We have always found that even the most anxious horse is less so when given hay. Does she have other company in the stable or is she on her own?
IME big horses can be quite stubborn so you just have to persevere with them and insist that they do it your way, whilst making it easy for them to do so.
 
I'd never walk out of the building with him tied up, this is when you walk even two steps away from him! May have to give him a haynet to keep him occupied.

We can try her with food when we go out definately xx
 
Will be interested to see the replies on this post too . . .
I find for myself it is an issue I am constantly working around to minimise the risk, stress and chance of it happening, but he is most likely too old to change his ways now, stable mirror and companion work best for me
 
Mmm, similar problems.

My horse paws the floor generally (not necessarily when it's feed times), whinnies like an utter fairy when my friends horse is not in sight and refuses to turn out. I think the turning out thing is because he doesn't like the wet and cold and he's still being picked on a bit after only being there 2 weeks.

He is only young though so i'm sure these will iron out with handling and activity?
 
i feel your pain re leaving one behind - my yearling doesnt care one bit being left but my 14yo goes mad, we have found that if you take him away from her and go for a walk in the other direction then take her away out of sight then put him back to his stable he is slightly better - and after a while will calm down, we have done this so we can take the youngster to shows and it seems to work ok, it is a right pain though as you need an extra set of hands to do it:rolleyes:
 
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