***Seperation Anxiety***

[kafrin181995]

Hi, We really need help - Like REALLY need help!
Here it goes...
we have a 15hh mare, 14.2hh mare and a 12.2 mare who all live in our garden in a nice little yard with a 20m x 20m sand school...
we have only just bought the 12.2 so that my mum could go on hacks during day when i am at school wihtout my 14.2 going baaaaalistic! well it didnt work, mum went out the other day to wonder up road and guess what both ponies started whinning, neighing, cantering round boxes etc.!
so... went to show today in trailer - left 12.2 at home with big feed for her to munch on, cotton wool in ears etc!!! she was fine...at show we were fine until it was mums class (later on in day) i had 14.2 on headcollar and mum was riding...mum warming-up and 14.2 going mental rearing with me clinging on to her for dear life! she just called all the time...(her friend was in the ring next to her!) so i walked up path to try and calm her down and she leapt in air and kicked out with back feet s obviously i let go! she full pelt galloped into warm-up smashing through other competititors and going up to my mums horse, rearing once and standing there completly quiet next to her!
once i had caught her i stood in middle of warm-up (V. embarrising) whereever my mum was warming-up 14.2hh turned round to see her??? when mum in ring 14.2hh going baserc (sp??) and trying to rear (again...) then all fine after round as together, mum walks back to trailer and 14.2hh goes mental leaps again and i start aobbing as V upset with her! kind lady helps me lead back to trailer...
mum took 14.2 off for naughty pony time!!!! with bridle on! then.. 15hh atrts rearing and going mental, i now have no idea what to do as what happens in dressage\showing class and they r going mental!!!!
i know it is long but please help as mum and me V depressed at moment - any kind forum users out there for helping hand please!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pleasse.....
x


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[dwi]

I would say that they need to start spending a little time apart at home if possible rather than trying it in a show environment. Can you put one in their box for short while out of sight of the field so that they learn they don't die when apart? Daisy was very clingy when we first got her but we left her to get on with it and she's fine now. Rather than rushing to bring her in the second she started fretting we gave her ten minutes and then went to get her. She gradually learned that it was just the way it was going to be.

 

[millimoo]

How awful for you both, they sound a really clingy bunch.
Initially I wouldn't take them both to the same show until you've done a bit more work at home.
I'm not experienced on this sort of thing, but get a grill and start seperating them on a regular basis - our neighbour had the same problem, but she just let them get on with it in the confines of their stables and whilst it took weeks they are much better.
It may also be worth not allowing them to graze together all the time as they've obviosuly got a very strong bond. My Shetland pony overbonded with another Shetland and in the end we seperated them completely as they wouldn't leave each other to be ridden etc. (harsh, but it had to be done)
I've not been much help, but I wish you lots of luck.

 

[kick_On]

leave at home with company pony, or in stables, or at friends yard/stables until you're competeting other horse and if you are i would suggest it ridden to control it's behaviour. Or as it's so badly behaved i presonnel wouldn't take and inflict injury on some or poor competetor!!
nightmare but i've been there and got t-shirt shop....