Stressing in the stable

[Identityincrisis]

Is there anything I can do to help my horse relax in his stable?

Some days he is perfectly content in there, some days he weaves and stresses like crazy! He ALWAYS has ad lib hay and has never run out. When he wants to be in for the night he's fine but if he decides he doesn't want to stay in he goes mad.

At a previous yard he was in a block of 3 and literally looked at a wall, he was very relaxed and never stressed in that stable but this yard (been here 2 years) he looks out onto the field with all his pals. Unfortunately there isn't a 'better' stable as the other stables also have their potential issues

So, has anyone managed to help their horse relax in a stable?

 

[Barton Bounty]

Put a mirror up, illusion of having company, pop a radio on ?

 

[TealH0rse]

As above, radio always helped horses at my old yard. A lickit, horslyx or carrot ball might help to pass the time. I’ve seen some people use stuffed toys (I believe they market some for horses?) but I’m really not sure if this helps or if its a gimmick.

I’ve seen some people use goats as companions, but I presume this wouldn’t be an option for you if you’re on a livery yard.

Does he do it when his field mates are in too? Could always bring in later or put something up so that he doesn’t see them in the field.

 

[Identityincrisis]

He has a mirror and isn't fooled ? i hadn't thought of the radio, i could try a treat ball, I've never used one with him.

He is better if his friends are in but it's not guaranteed

 

[Barton Bounty]

Mine is a stress head too, but I find if I leave him to it and try not to worry he will be fine, he had to be in after he got stung, and he was on his own , think he shouted about 4 times and that was it, whereas if i was there he spins rears , shouts , bucks ,

 

[Identityincrisis]

Mine is a stress head too, but I find if I leave him to it and try not to worry he will be fine, he had to be in after he got stung, and he was on his own , think he shouted about 4 times and that was it, whereas if i was there he spins rears , shouts , bucks ,

I do think he's better when I'm not there although i got down the other morning and he was foamy between his legs he was that worked up, i only arrived 30 mins after the first person!

 

[Barton Bounty]

Give a radio a try ?

 

[rextherobber]

Does he have to come in? If he's that stressed being in, can't he just live out?

 

[Identityincrisis]

Does he have to come in? If he's that stressed being in, can't he just live out?

Unfortunately not, he drops weight rapidly at this time of year, gets rain scald on his legs from the wet grass and also we only have daytime turn out in winter

 

[Merrymoles]

Can't give any help other than what has already been suggested but following with interest because my new boy is also a stress head in the stable, weaving, yelling and banging.

Ours are currently out 24/7 but will be in at night once the weather turns. He has a treat ball and a lick, both of which can distract him for a minute or two, as can his feed. And there is always a haynet. At the moment, I'm bringing in regularly for a short time, although always with another horse on the yard. His former owner told me that if he starts to stress, to walk away and leave him to it so we tried that on Saturday while we went to poo pick and he did stop yelling and banging, although I have no idea if he was still weaving. He was quite hot, however, although not to the point of sweating too much, when I went back to turn out. I am planning to continue with short periods in with his tea and then leaving for 30 minutes for now until they all come in when I'm afraid he'll just have to live with it!

I do seem to be unusally unlucky with horses who don't like their stables. My first used to trash his box and sweat buckets while my second jumped out twice complete with turnout rug, although he did eventually grow to love his stable so fingers crossed number four will too!