Turning out alone

A

atot

Well-Known Member
Joined
23 October 2007
Messages
3,966
Visit site
Do you think ALL horses suffer separation anxiety?

This is not to continue the recent debate, I was going to post it anyway as I intend on turning my horse out alone at night.

She would spend 8 - 3pm with the other horses in her field. Then when they went in, she would simply stay out overnight (With rug changes etc if necessary) I know she is happiest out rather than in - and seeing as she doesn't give a sod whether other horses are with her or not, would you think this is okay?

I just got the impression that a fair few people thought that turning a horse out alone was horrible....are there no exceptions?
 
If the horse is happy enough (ie not neighing for a friend and charging round) I don't see a problem with it at all. I kept my mare on her own for 18 months and she was fine. It would have been nicer for her with a companion, but hey...life's tough!
 
If the horse is (or seems at least) happy enough - then I don't see a problem.

Personally it's not something I would do - but that's my choice obviously.
 
i think it's fine. some do get bad separation anxiety, as any horse left behind in the wild was more likely to get eaten, i guess, but others don't seem to care, or settle down after 2 mins of trotting up and down and shrieking.
fwiw i NEVER turn mine out with any other once they've got shoes on. no exceptions, too dangerous. they can see each other, call to each other, maybe even groom over the fence, but they're in separate paddocks, always, and i don't feel sorry for them!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think ALL horses suffer separation anxiety?

This is not to continue the recent debate, I was going to post it anyway as I intend on turning my horse out alone at night.

is okay?


[/ QUOTE ]

u sound really concerned by the recent posts ect< u know your horse and shes happy and healthy!!!! so dont worry bout it!!!!! my old horse prefered to b on his own as he got really badly bullied, lost condition and was really ill. The prob with this forum is people dont just give their opinions they seem to think what they say goes!!! and that simply isnt the case in the horse world ect, what works for one mite not for another!!! is live and let live!!
 
I would be very happy to do what you suggest - although in the past when I have had horses I have been lucky, as they have always been at livery yards where they could at least see other horses in adjoining paddocks 24 hours a day
 
[ QUOTE ]
If the horse is happy enough (ie not neighing for a friend and charging round) I don't see a problem with it at all. I kept my mare on her own for 18 months and she was fine. It would have been nicer for her with a companion, but hey...life's tough!

[/ QUOTE ]

She is happy with and without other horses - funny little thing. She really doesn't get attatched to anyone, which people find hard to believe, but it is true.

She was actually a bit iffy when I first got her - but last August she spent 3 days with me in Oxfordshire out 24/7. She spent the first 20 minutes looking for other horses, but settled down after that - even when the polo ponies in the field next door were having a party, she didn't give a toss after a day. (she did manage to join them somehow when she first arrived - the Argentine guy didn't know what this funny little cobby thing was doing amongst his polo herd LOL!!) And since then she has been very happy turned out whether there are horses or not. I wouldn't confine her to a life without other horses - but every now and again she goes out by herself, and her head goes straight to the grass, and she just potters about happy as larry.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would be very happy to do what you suggest - although in the past when I have had horses I have been lucky, as they have always been at livery yards where they could at least see other horses in adjoining paddocks 24 hours a day

[/ QUOTE ]

She has the grass livery herd in the large field next to her 24/7, so she can see them all the time. during the day time she would be out with other horses in her field anyway.
I could put her in that field with the grass herd - but they are a big fat bunch of bullies.
 
if your horse is happy there is no problem. we have to do what is best for each individual horse
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think ALL horses suffer separation anxiety?

This is not to continue the recent debate, I was going to post it anyway as I intend on turning my horse out alone at night.

is okay?


[/ QUOTE ]

u sound really concerned by the recent posts ect< u know your horse and shes happy and healthy!!!! so dont worry bout it!!!!! my old horse prefered to b on his own as he got really badly bullied, lost condition and was really ill. The prob with this forum is people dont just give their opinions they seem to think what they say goes!!! and that simply isnt the case in the horse world ect, what works for one mite not for another!!! is live and let live!!

[/ QUOTE ]

I am not as concerned as I sounded LOL
blush.gif


I've 'experimented' and she's so much happier at grass, that that is how it's going to be.
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
she's better off on her own than being bullied.

[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly - they really are a horrible bunch. (well, some of them are) And seeing as she doesn't care whether there is a horse grazing next to her, she's safer that way.
 
i don't think they all do suffer from separation anxiety, and i think those that do 'suffer' in different ways.

for example...
my Ron couldn't care less whether he has someone else there or not.. he is totally unfazed if i take his 'friend' (or is it minion?) away from the field or if i turn them out without him. he doesn't mind leaving the hunt (as long as its not mid-gallop, but that's mostly due to a lack of steering!) and he never looks particularly bothered when anyone comes back to him. he's almost anti-social.

however, our other one Tom, is totally the opposite, he can't bear to be out of sight of anyone else. he neglects his hay so he can stand and watch the sheep in the field across the way all night. he turns himself into a lather when i take ron out for a hack, he gallops around the field when ron walks off to get a drink.

He turns himself inside out to be the centre of attention when the farrier is on the yard (there's only the 2 of them on the yard), and he throws his grooming kit and under rugs in his water bucket if i'm plaiting up in ron's stable and not on the yard. he box walks if he can't see ron or hear him munching hay.

take him out in the trailer and you can't leave him unattended to go get your number or walk the course, someone has to sit with him or he tries to destroy the trailer. he shoves his haynet around in his tantrum (to a point where for 2 show jumping classes we have to take 5 haynets because he rips them to shreds!), and he 'talks' to any horse that stands for more than 20 seconds within 10 feet of him!

we have actually tried everything short of sedating him (we've tried calmers and pastes and distraction and mirrors and music/radio and....) with no effect at all. it's getting to a point where I worry about his safety when i'm out (trying to be) enjoying myself with ron.

IMHO you have to do what's right for your horse and stuff the rest of the world. at the end of the day you know her better than anyone else and IMO what's right for her is the right thing however the horse has evolved and whatever anyone else thinks.
 
If she can see them she should be fine - my horse is out by herself (because she's an evil cow) but she can see others and isn't bothered by it...
 
Just do what you think is right. If she can see other horses at night too, then I wouldnt worry at all. It might be a little different if she was totaly on her own at night with no sight or sound of others.
 
My boy lives on his own and has never caused me any concern. I take him to pleasure rides with tonnes of other horses and he is not at all bothered then either. He can see the neighbours horses over the hedge but does not pay much attention to them. But I guess that helps him a bit.He is far too interested in eating though...now he would definately suffer separation anxiety if I took the food away!!!
smile.gif
 
Reassuring, thanks all. TBH even if everyone shot me down she would be out LOL! But it's helpful knowing I am not the only one with a horse who prefers grass to other horses, (although, don't get me wrong, she's very sociable!) and knowing that I am doing the right thing. Thanks again, x
 
I think your horse is related to my Chloe! She can take or leave other horses company, and is happy mooching around by herself as long as she has food.

Is there someone on the yard who can just check on her in the evening and reassure you?
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think your horse is related to my Chloe! She can take or leave other horses company, and is happy mooching around by herself as long as she has food.

Is there someone on the yard who can just check on her in the evening and reassure you?

[/ QUOTE ]

Mine is called Chloe - spooky....
grin.gif
(Or did you already know that?)

Yep - she will have haylage either taken to her, with a rug change if need be in the evening, or she will be brought in, rugs changed, feet picked out, fed, and then out again with some haylage...
smile.gif
So someone will definately be checking on her.
 
Thats what I do with my big lad, as no-one else has started turning out yet, he spends all day with company and then spends the night out alone. He isn't bothered by it, he's never been a difficult type though! I check him late in the evening and happy days really!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mine is called Chloe - spooky....
grin.gif
(Or did you already know that?)

Yep - she will have haylage either taken to her, with a rug change if need be in the evening, or she will be brought in, rugs changed, feet picked out, fed, and then out again with some haylage...
smile.gif
So someone will definately be checking on her.

[/ QUOTE ]

I already knew that
grin.gif
they've got the same white faces (I think!)
PICT0050.jpg


Sounds like your girl will be well looked after
laugh.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Awww... Your girl is much cuter! It's funny they've both got the mini-moustaches as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

She does look like butter wouldn't melt there (it's all an act, though...
wink.gif
) I know - mum was horrified when I took the trimmers to the moustache - it's grown so much tho, must attack it tomorrow morning before we arrive at the meet!!
 
I leave my retired horse out when I'm riding Henry, and she doesn't give a stuff! As long as she's got a pile of hay, she's happy. I haven't left her alone overnight but that's only because neither of my horses come in for the night.

It depends on the individual horse - if yours is going to be happier out 24/7 (that's what mine are too) then go for it!
 
Ditto. that all horses are individuals and you know your own.

My boy is very happy to go away from everyone else on a hack or off to a show etc. Happy to be out by himself in the morning for a few hours and again at the end of the night. he knows where his friends are.

he is also ok if his friends are riding in the school or around our fields but woe betide if anyone else steps off the property then all hell breaks loose.

They are all different.
 
Snap, I have one like this too! Can't bear to be left on his own, screams place down, bucks and rears if left tied up to lorry, absolutely frantic if I take other horse away to jump.

Once hired a stable for the day at a show, and he tried to come over door, then cantered round stable, then laid down and rolled with colic. So now I either lead him round the show like a dog, or borrow a friend's mini shetland.

Yet also have another pony who actively dislikes other horses and much prefers to be on his own. Each to their own!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top