Stressed sweaty horse

J

JHarrison410

New User
Joined
11 August 2024
Messages
6
Visit site
Hi guys, I’m really stuck atm :( I’ve had my 13 year old warm blood x trotter since he was 2.5 years old. He’s my baby. I’ve recently moved yards. He was supposed to have a field mate but ended up without one. He’s sound in the day, but stresses when he’s last one out (nothing major) it’s when it comes to bringing in. He’s in the middle field so has horses around him. He really stresses out when the front field comes in even though he has horses other side of him. The others don’t really communicate with me. They’re aware that he stresses but still just bring theirs in. It’s not always the same time they bring in so I’m constantly in the unknown. Anyway today one of the ladies said she’s bringing hers in early and said the front fields already in. She brought him in for me but he was already really sweaty from pacing. I just don’t know what to do anymore :( I’ve tried to research if I need to put a rug on him even if it’s a fleece but with no avail. Also he has his dinner - molasses free chaff and a balancer along with his supplements. Do I rug him to dry him off or leave him as he is? Soon as he comes in he’s absolutely fine but still sweaty. Also do I give him his dinner? It’s non heating as currently he’s not being ridden so don’t want him fizzy. I just need some advice. My current situation is really getting me down. I just want to do right by my boy but I feel like I’m just stuck and see no way out :( thanks in advance guys :)
 
Equi

Equi

Well-Known Member
Joined
25 October 2010
Messages
14,623
Visit site
Considering he is in at night and out of work, could you maybe cut back some of the food (or tell us what it is specifically) Even if it says non-heating it still could be. I’d also try and feed it at a different time purely so he is not coming in anticipating his feed which could be a reason he is pacing at the first sign of anyone going in. Can you also clip the hair under his neck/chest to lessen the sweaty bits?

I’m afraid you can’t change other peoples routines. But do ask the yard if anyone who is first up is able/willing to team up with you and you can do something in return for them like turnout the next morning.
 
A

Arzada

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 April 2012
Messages
2,550
Visit site
JHarrison410 said:
I’ve tried to research if I need to put a rug on him even if it’s a fleece but with no avail. Also he has his dinner - molasses free chaff and a balancer along with his supplements. Do I rug him to dry him off or leave him as he is? Soon as he comes in he’s absolutely fine but still sweaty.
Click to expand...
I'm not hugely into rugging but I would put a fleece/cooler on. My horse lives out and has a wonderfully thick winter coat and is generally not rugged. I will be rugging tomorrow for the next few days of high winds, sub zero temperatures and some rain/sleet. Horse will be wet when I get there tomorrow so I will put a cooler on with the turnout on top. Horse will be fairly dry in about 15 minutes using this method. Will take cooler off and leave turnout on. What you don't want is your horse getting chilled, bit like when we go from hot sweaty exercise/work and then stop and then need to put on a layer or two. The aim is to dry the horse. You could then take the cooler off if the horse is usually not rugged at night or rug as normal.
 
M

MidChristmasCrisis

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 August 2014
Messages
4,688
Visit site
How long have you been at the new yard as it may take a wee while for your horse to realise he isn’t abandoned and there are other horses about. I’m not a fan of mass bringing in and if you can hold your nerve your boy may relax into the new routine. I am speaking from some experience as one of mine used hammer up and the field when her companion was removed…now I can take her two field mates before her and she stands and waits…in fact she taught the baby horse to wait for her turn to be brought in.
If your boy is hot and sweaty I would pop a fleece on to prevent a chill and no feed until cool and calm. I hope things get better for you.
 
J

JHarrison410

New User
Joined
11 August 2024
Messages
6
Visit site
Midlifecrisis said:
How long have you been at the new yard as it may take a wee while for your horse to realise he isn’t abandoned and there are other horses about. I’m not a fan of mass bringing in and if you can hold your nerve your boy may relax into the new routine. I am speaking from some experience as one of mine used hammer up and the field when her companion was removed…now I can take her two field mates before her and she stands and waits…in fact she taught the baby horse to wait for her turn to be brought in.
If your boy is hot and sweaty I would pop a fleece on to prevent a chill and no feed until cool and calm. I hope things get better for you.
Click to expand...
We’ve been there a month now. It really stresses me out when he’s stressed :( I’ll try and hold out a little longer with him see if he improves. I don’t know why he’s so particular with just the front field being brought in, maybe it’s because they’re always first to come in. Would you keep the fleece on him overnight or just while he cools and dries off? Thank you! :)
 
J

JHarrison410

New User
Joined
11 August 2024
Messages
6
Visit site
Pinkvboots said:
Just try and get him earlier or can you not pay the yard to fetch him in when the others come in?

Or I would look into some company for turnout individual turnout just doesn't suit some horses.
Click to expand...
It’s only a little yard on a farm. There’s only 4 of us with 8 horses between us. One girl, previous yard friend was supposed to be my field mate on this yard but ended up putting hers in with one of the ladies here so they’ve teamed up. The other lady has 3, so it’s just my boy who’s on his own. I could possibly ask one of the ladies if she could help me out but not sure whether she’ll want to/have time. As long as I’m informed when everyone’s bringing in he’ll be fine
 
J

JHarrison410

New User
Joined
11 August 2024
Messages
6
Visit site
Equi said:
Considering he is in at night and out of work, could you maybe cut back some of the food (or tell us what it is specifically) Even if it says non-heating it still could be. I’d also try and feed it at a different time purely so he is not coming in anticipating his feed which could be a reason he is pacing at the first sign of anyone going in. Can you also clip the hair under his neck/chest to lessen the sweaty bits?

I’m afraid you can’t change other peoples routines. But do ask the yard if anyone who is first up is able/willing to team up with you and you can do something in return for them like turnout the next morning.
Click to expand...
He’s on dengue hi-fi molasses free and heygates equi balancer. He only has a little dinner mainly for his supplements rather than bulking/filling effect. He’s not bothered about the food, also been told to keep feeding times the same? I guess I could clip him yes but he isn’t pacing from stress all the time. I completely understand I can’t change other peoples routines nor do I want to, I just wish there was more communication seen as it’s only mine who suffers. Yeah I’ll ask, there’s only 2 other people I can ask so I guess it’s worth a shot.
 
F

Flowerofthefen

Well-Known Member
Joined
22 August 2020
Messages
3,635
Visit site
I have to bring mine in at lunchtime as one of mine is the same. I have also asked YO if I can bring hers in at the weekend so I'm not stressing about her bringing hers in before mine. It is very stressful when they won't settle. I hope you can sort something out.
 
DizzyDoughnut

DizzyDoughnut

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 January 2013
Messages
1,127
Visit site
JHarrison410 said:
It’s only a little yard on a farm. There’s only 4 of us with 8 horses between us. One girl, previous yard friend was supposed to be my field mate on this yard but ended up putting hers in with one of the ladies here so they’ve teamed up. The other lady has 3, so it’s just my boy who’s on his own. I could possibly ask one of the ladies if she could help me out but not sure whether she’ll want to/have time. As long as I’m informed when everyone’s bringing in he’ll be fine
Click to expand...

Would the lady with 3 let one of hers go in with yours? When I've had 3 I would have been happy for one of them to go in with someone else's as long it was friendly and easy to handle if I needed to bring it in with mine.
 
J

JHarrison410

New User
Joined
11 August 2024
Messages
6
Visit site
Pinkvboots said:
Most yards I have been on have a rule of never leaving 1 horse out alone, I would never do it as I had a fence and gate jumper if she was left so I know what a worry it can be.
Click to expand...
Yeah it really stresses me out :( hopefully I’ll get it sorted soon
DizzyDoughnut said:
Would the lady with 3 let one of hers go in with yours? When I've had 3 I would have been happy for one of them to go in with someone else's as long it was friendly and easy to handle if I needed to bring it in with mine.
Click to expand...
I’m not sure probably wouldn’t want to unsettle her own but not sure would have to ask. I’ll see how he gets on and if still no better I’ll ask one of the ladies if they’d be willing to work with me to sort something. If not then I don’t know what I’ll do :/
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top