Unsettled horse

[Purdie]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some advice. I've had my mare for 3.5 years now, and she has always needed other horses around when turned out to feel settled and secure. This has got better over time, especially when we moved to our current yard 2 years ago.

All the horses on the yard are in their own field sectioned off with electric fencing, but they can scratch and play over the fences, and she's always seemed very happy about this set up.

We have just moved into the winter paddocks, and at the same time her best friend, who she has been next to in the field for the past year has gone on to box rest.

Ever since she just will not settle in her field. She has been on this paddock before, (it's the winter paddock), and she has other horses either side of her, but she justs walks up and down the fence until she is brought in.

So far I have taken the stance of, let her get on with it, she'll settle eventually, but I feel awful every evening when I get up there and see her pacing. It's not an urgent, paniced walk, it's just a very miserable, I want my best friend to come out, I'm really not happy walk.

She is absolutely normal in every other respect. She's working brilliantly and is very happy and settled in her stable, but just won't settle in the field. Should I keep going, and just let her get over it??? I really don't know what else to do.

Sorry this is long, I just wanted to give the full pic!

Thanks

 

[Echo Bravo]

give her a little more time

 

[The_snoopster]

I,m in the same boat my self, my 3yr old is on his own as his shettie companion as got mild lami and as been put in the stable i let him see the shettie everyday while i muck out.
This seems to reassure him that he is not completely alone and the shettie is only the other side of the fence in the stable.
I have given him swedes to pass the time away, as yours got another buddy that can be put next door untill his pal can be turned out again ?.