Seperation anxiety

[lisan]

Moved to new yard 5/6 weeks ago, I have my horse and my friend who has 3. The two youngsters go out together and May and Myrtle go out in a seperate field, May hates the yearling with a passion!! Now when May and Myrtle are seperated, they get a bit anxious, but May's manageable. She has been out in our riding area today to eat the grass down and myrtle has been out with her babies - trying to make a start on seperating them - and to try and make the small field into a starvation paddock for Myrtle.

Brought May in, messed about, tacked up and went to ride, H brought Myrtle in to tack up as we were hacking after I had schooled, she went mental! Got herself in a right state, so bad H asked me to come back into the barn with May. Myrtle is even bad when the youngsters are in (right next to her!)

I don't know what the best course of action is, there is'nt anywhere to graze them where they can't see each other. May is happy to go out on her own as long as she can see other horses, but Myrtle's behaviour was dangerous tonight.

I suggested she get a stable mirror to start, but can anyone advise?

 

[Kate_13]

The only thing that I can suggest is that you try leaving her on her own for short lengths of time with plenty of hay in her stable, maybe a stable ball to keep her occupied. Take the other horse away for say a minute then pop the other horse back next to her.

Keep doing this for longer periods of time and the other horse will soon realise that when their buddy goes, they come back again.

Good luck, this is a tough one to crack.

 

[lisan]

I just can't believe how bad she has got, forgot to mention that she is not bad in the field, hardly stresses! However, it does cause a problem in the stable as I do ride 6 days a week and take May out at leasts twice a week. Ours our out all day and in at night.