stress of a new horse

[Horseadict]

I love my new boy. He is my first horse after loaning for 3 years with 2 different horses in July it will have been a year that we have had him and what a year its been from a strangles scare to going lame and being on box rest for 2 weeks. He is so affectionate and easy to handle. He is pretty low mileage due to not being broken in long but we are making progress in the saddle every day. My issue is that he is so high maintenance. I cant be later than 5 to the yard as he starts getting restless. He was in over winter and was a super star in his stable but now its spring we have been putting him out and he has been in by night due to running around like an idiot and the first day he jumped the electric fencing. I'm just hoping that he settles and stops causing me so much stress.

However I currently don't have a job and am looking for one that will allow me these hours so preferably from home as I worry being too far away from him that he will try and kill himself or injure himself. I'm just contemplating if this is the right horse for me or even if owning is for me as I want to be able to give him the life he deserves but he is very needy.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Equi]

Has he got company?

 

[TPO]

A lot to unpack there

Why was he in 24/7 over winter? That's not good for physical or mental well being.

What routine is he in just now?

What is he fed?

How much work is he in?

The 5pm thing is easily trained out of them by gradually arriving 5mins later and building up. Then have a relaxed routine so thst horse know he'll never be left and he'll always have food food water so won't stress if you aren't there at 5 on the dot. This is why fixed routines don't work for horses (animals) because what happens if there's drama with traffic or an emergency arises. How does he cope when clocks change?

This book might help
https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Ways-P...0&sprefix=100+ways+susan+mcbane,aps,88&sr=8-6

 

[Horseadict]

Has he got company?

He has constant neighbours, including ponies, sheep, donkeys and llamas

 

[Horseadict]

A lot to unpack there

Why was he in 24/7 over winter? That's not good for physical or mental well being.

What routine is he in just now?

What is he fed?

How much work is he in?

The 5pm thing is easily trained out of them by gradually arriving 5mins later and building up. Then have a relaxed routine so thst horse know he'll never be left and he'll always have food food water so won't stress if you aren't there at 5 on the dot. This is why fixed routines don't work for horses (animals) because what happens if there's drama with traffic or an emergency arises. How does he cope when clocks change?

This book might help
https://www.amazon.co.uk/100-Ways-Perfect-Equine-Partnership/dp/0715324853/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?crid=2R181SNKQEYJ7&keywords=100+ways+susan+mcbane&qid=1648226050&sprefix=100+ways+susan+mcbane,aps,88&sr=8-6

Was the structure of the yard we are at, he had 2 hours out in the day and has an hour of riding. he loves his stable and happily stays in it which is a god send for when he was on box rest

he has speedi-beet, cool mix and chaff along with supplements for air ways.

he's fine when clocks change so far. he has a constant supply of hay and water and now he is out grass. the owners of the yard top him up if he ever runs out thankfully but he never has as isnt a massive eater anyway

 

[Pinkvboots]

I personally think its down to him being in all winter I wouldn't stay at a yard without any winter turnout, change that you will probably find you have a totally different horse as the jumping out and galloping around is just excitement of being out and free.

I find when horses are field restricted in such a way they can develop strange behaviour in general, his probably also become a bit stable dependant because of constantly being in hence the 5pm thing.

Is he turned out with other horses?

 

[Bellaboo18]

He has constant neighbours, including ponies, sheep, donkeys and llamas

He needs the company of another horse or pony in his field.

 

[paddy555]

it seems he was stabled for long periods and was very safe in his stable. He knew exactly what was going to happen. Not a good regime for a horse but one he adapted to and felt safe and secure with.

Now he is out and he is lost. His old routine he felt safe with is gone. He has neighbours. Does he have an actual horse in his field, one he can groom, play with and relate to, one who will look after him in his new environment? It may be the case that neighbours are not good enough, he needs to be a horse and have real horse friends.

He may well be high maintenance because as he doesn't have other horses to look after him then someone has to and his only alternative is people ie you.

 

[GoodBoyNice]

It seems its all not going right for you so out of kindness i would sell your horse and deliver yourself from all the stress.