Weaving 2 year old - will it stop?

[Lizzeexox]

So my pony weaves. When she was just turning two she had a tendon injury and had to go on box rest which ended up with her been very frustrated.
She now still does it when I arrive on a morning or if she can see us on the yard, she’s only ever in if needs must.
We are on private yard so no horses are going out until I arrive and she always has hay etc left.
I am moving yards soon (still be private) but she will have to come in over winter. Will she ever get over it?

 

[Pinkvboots]

A 2 year old should really be living out with other youngsters no wonder she is weaving you need to reconsider your management, and I definitely wouldn't go somewhere that has no winter turnout that is just cruel for such a young horse.

 

[Lizzeexox]

A 2 year old should really be living out with other youngsters no wonder she is weaving you need to reconsider your management, and I definitely wouldn't go somewhere that has no winter turnout that is just cruel for such a young horse.

You’ve not read my post at all, she was in because of a tendon injury. And is only even in if needs must like farrier due etc.
I will have winter turn out at my new yard she’ll just be stabled over winter by then she’ll be over 3 years old.
why on earth would I move her off my own land when she has other ponies that she loves to play with.

 

[TheMule]

Unfortunately my experience is that once a vice starts, it's there for life. I would, however, probably have her scoped for ulcers- it would be a fairly classic thing to have developed in the situation you've described and wouldn’t help her stabled behaviour

 

[honetpot]

I know she has been injured but she needs company, she is stressed. If you can not turn her out, find somewhere where is can share a box or a pen with another. My young mare started to show signs of weaving when she went away for backing and was put next door to a stallion that was constantly banging, I just made sure she was never put in a stressful situation again, so she stopped as soon as she came home.

 

[Lizzeexox]

I know she has been injured but she needs company, she is stressed. If you can not turn her out, find somewhere where is can share a box or a pen with another. My young mare started to show signs of weaving when she went away for backing and was put next door to a stallion that was constantly banging, I just made sure she was never put in a stressful situation again, so she stopped as soon as she came home.

I think people are really misunderstanding my post, I’m on a private yard alone with multiple horses, I’m not new to the horse game and she was never left alone. At the moment she is out 24/7 with four of my other ponies. But by the end of this year I will have moved yards and they will have to be stabled overnight. Im asking if there’s anything I can do to help keep her more comfortable in the stable while I’m not there.
thanks

 

[Lizzeexox]

Unfortunately my experience is that once a vice starts, it's there for life. I would, however, probably have her scoped for ulcers- it would be a fairly classic thing to have developed in the situation you've described and wouldn’t help her stabled behaviour

I will definitely mention this to my vet and see what he thinks. Obviously the box rest was really not ideal but there’s not always a lot you can do. She’s now out in the in the field and shows no signs of been uncomfortable. But I just worry when we move she may start weaving again when she’s brought in over night in the winter

 

[honetpot]

You’ve not read my post at all, she was in because of a tendon injury. And is only even in if needs must like farrier due etc.
I will have winter turn out at my new yard she’ll just be stabled over winter by then she’ll be over 3 years old.
why on earth would I move her off my own land when she has other ponies that she loves to play with.

Really, so essentially you are in control of the situation? If she has companions that she gets along with, you have perhaps the quickest, cheapest solution. Where company is concerned horses never, 'grow up', they are herd animals and when stressed they get comfort from another equine, not four walls and a hay net.

 

[Lizzeexox]

Again she w

Really, so essentially you are in control of the situation? If she has companions that she gets along with, you have perhaps the quickest, cheapest solution. Where company is concerned horses never, 'grow up', they are herd animals and when stressed they get comfort from another equine, not four walls and a hay net.

Again she was never left alone, she even had a pen outside her stable with her buddy for a little outdoor time. I’m not looking for obvious solutions. I’m asking if anyone has found any ways to help or if they get better over time

 

[honetpot]

Again she w

Again she was never left alone, she even had a pen outside her stable with her buddy for a little outdoor time. I’m not looking for obvious solutions. I’m asking if anyone has found any ways to help or if they get better over time

Well that is not only the most obvious, but the best solution. Keeping horses is simple, company, forage and water, what most horses need, they will put up with a lot. Your horse is young, even three is young, and they learn mostly about life, what is scary or safe from other horses. If you are looking for a calmer or a short cut, you are not going to become a good horse keeper. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but what you do now could affect that animal for the rest of it's life

 

[Lizzeexox]

Well that is not only the most obvious, but the best solution. Keeping horses is simple, company, forage and water, what most horses need, they will put up with a lot. Your horse is young, even three is young, and they learn mostly about life, what is scary or safe from other horses. If you are looking for a calmer or a short cut, you are not going to become a good horse keeper. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but what you do now could affect that animal for the rest of it's life

She has all these things.
I don’t get why everyone is been so judgey I’m not looking for a quick fix, how rude of you when that was never mentioned. I’m asking if anyones had any experience where for instant a mirror has helped relax the pony or something like that. She will always have company, turn out, and everything she needs just like the rest of my ponies.

 

[Pinkvboots]

You’ve not read my post at all, she was in because of a tendon injury. And is only even in if needs must like farrier due etc.
I will have winter turn out at my new yard she’ll just be stabled over winter by then she’ll be over 3 years old.
why on earth would I move her off my own land when she has other ponies that she loves to play with.

I didn't miss read your post you didn't make yourself very clear you just said she will be stabled over winter at the new place no mention of turnout?

Even as a 3 year old I would prefer them out as much as possible why stable overnight it's not like you can do much with her in the way of exercise.

She is already weaving which is a stress response which could have been brought on by box rest or it could just be the kind of horse she is only time will tell I suppose.

 

[Lizzeexox]

I didn't miss read your post you didn't make yourself very clear you just said she will be stabled over winter at the new place no mention of turnout?

Even as a 3 year old I would prefer them out as much as possible why stable overnight it's not like you can do much with her in the way of exercise.

She is already weaving which is a stress response which could have been brought on by box rest or it could just be the kind of horse she is only time will tell I suppose.

Sadly it’s better if she comes in with the amount of land there is at the new yard. If the weather is not too bad they can stay on the all weather pen overnight with access to the stables.
but I’m more looking for if anyone has had any success with any stable toys etc.

She’s had a total of 1 week in this winter, she’s been out the rest of the time. Like I say needs must.

 

[Gloi]

Would she be able to share a stable with one of her companions when she moves to keep her more settled.

 

[Lizzeexox]

Would she be able to share a stable with one of her companions when she moves to keep her more settled.

I could definitely give that ago as she’s not huge. I also thought maybe take the boards out between the stables so they are open inside as no one fights???

 

[Gloi]

I could definitely give that ago as she’s not huge. I also thought maybe take the boards out between the stables so they are open inside as no one fights???

So long as they are good friends it could work and if they are socialising she may be less likely to feel the need to weave.

 

[AmyMay]

Well that is not only the most obvious, but the best solution. Keeping horses is simple, company, forage and water, what most horses need, they will put up with a lot. Your horse is young, even three is young, and they learn mostly about life, what is scary or safe from other horses. If you are looking for a calmer or a short cut, you are not going to become a good horse keeper. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but what you do now could affect that animal for the rest of it's life

What the actual F are you on about??

Are we reading the same thread? ?

 

[Lizzeexox]

So long as they are good friends it could work and if they are socialising she may be less likely to feel the need to weave.

Definitely will try that next time I have the farrier and see how it goes ! Thank you

 

[Lizzeexox]

What the actual F are you on about??

Are we reading the same thread? ?

I am also very confused ??‍

 

[Pinkvboots]

Sadly it’s better if she comes in with the amount of land there is at the new yard. If the weather is not too bad they can stay on the all weather pen overnight with access to the stables.
but I’m more looking for if anyone has had any success with any stable toys etc.

She’s had a total of 1 week in this winter, she’s been out the rest of the time. Like I say needs must.

It might just be that she very young and finds the whole being in a stable stressful and so the weaving is her coping, some foals are never stabled so it could be that it was a totally new concept for her.

I would would just gradually try and stable her for short periods a mirror might help its worth a try, or even though I am not a massive fan but the likitts have there uses in certain situations and might just be enough to distract her and prevent the weaving for now.

My friend bought 2 very young arabs from Germany and when they arrived they both weaved terribly, they had always lived out or in a big barn in a large herd so an individual stable was a bit of a culture shock, they did eventually grow out of it and never did it as adults so it might just be she has to get used to it.

 

[daydreamer]

I loaned an old TB (he was 19 when I started) and didn't realised he weaved until we moved yards after about 6 months. The weaving did stop at the new yard fairly quickly. The new yard was a nightmare so after about a year we moved back to the original yard and he settled straight in, no weaving. I can count the number of times I saw him weave in the 5 years after that on the fingers of one hand. So when things are less stressful your youngster may not show the behaviour often.

(I also can't see why you are being given such a hard time!)

 

[MagicMelon]

Id leave her out to try and stop the habit. Shes obviously stressed so surely the obvious thing to do is remove the stress (stable) as presumably she doesnt weave out in the field. If you're moving her to a private yard then presumably you can choose to leave the pony out 24/7 even if you feel its not quite ideal for you, it clearly is for this particular pony. I find it a little sad that you'd rather force her to stay in a place that clearly seriously stresses her out and you're ingraining this into her for the rest of her life, when all you have to do to make her happy is let her out. I cant imagine any toys are really going to do much to replace being outside in the fresh air messing about with other horses learning important socialisation skills (at such a young age) and eating grass as nature intended?

 

[Lizzeexox]

Id leave her out to try and stop the habit. Shes obviously stressed so surely the obvious thing to do is remove the stress (stable) as presumably she doesnt weave out in the field. If you're moving her to a private yard then presumably you can choose to leave the pony out 24/7 even if you feel its not quite ideal for you, it clearly is for this particular pony. I find it a little sad that you'd rather force her to stay in a place that clearly seriously stresses her out and you're ingraining this into her for the rest of her life, when all you have to do to make her happy is let her out. I cant imagine any toys are really going to do much to replace being outside in the fresh air messing about with other horses learning important socialisation skills (at such a young age) and eating grass as nature intended?

As it says above which I’m fed up of repeating again again she is out 24/7 at the moment. But at some point I have to break her in and she has to tolerate the stable in certain circumstances. She is a pony that I’ve bought to have fun with riding wise when the age comes such as hunting and showing. And she will have to stay clean etc. if you don’t have anything nice to say don’t bother saying it. I feel bullied on this post tonight by people who don’t want to help, just force what they want on to me!

 

[Lizzeexox]

I loaned an old TB (he was 19 when I started) and didn't realised he weaved until we moved yards after about 6 months. The weaving did stop at the new yard fairly quickly. The new yard was a nightmare so after about a year we moved back to the original yard and he settled straight in, no weaving. I can count the number of times I saw him weave in the 5 years after that on the fingers of one hand. So when things are less stressful your youngster may not show the behaviour often.

(I also can't see why you are being given such a hard time!)

Thank you, I think it was just the bad luck of box rest to start. I’m not sure why everyone is been so horrid, quite sad actually. Was just trying to find ways that possibly might help, not be made out to be a horrible horse owner

 

[Mule]

Mirrors are supposed to help a lot. It's definitely worth a try. And anything else that can reduce stress. Maybe do a bit of research on the internet about weaving and what is suggested

 

[Lizzeexox]

Mirrors are supposed to help a lot.

Will try that thank you! ?

 

[Bellaboo18]

I'm confused in your opening post you say she *now* still does it when you arrive in the morning so i think people have assumed she must be currently stabled at night.

Anyway I'd keep stabling to a minimum and if you're sure stress is kept to a minimum, i'd question ulcers.

 

[windand rain]

Not sure if she will grow out of it She might once settled into the routine of in at night out during the day or viceversa however there is no harm in trying to distract her with toys and /or a vegetable kebab hung from the rafters. If I read this right she weaves when brought in for an hour or two randomly for the farrier etc in which case it is causing stress or excitement which leads to the weaving

 

[Orangehorse]

I had a horse that would weave. She too had had box rest when young. I found that she was worse when anxious, not surprisingly, but that meant that she would weave when out in the field sometimes.

She went out every day, lived out until late autumn with a rug at night and when she came into the stable during the cold and wet months it was as welcoming as possible. I put a stable mat in front of the door, as a cushion so she wouldn't be shuffling about on a hard stable floor. She had ad lib hay - luckily she wasn't a pig and only ate a moderate amount - a deep comfortable bed and had a window on the opposite wall to the door. I used to turn her out first thing in the morning. A lot of the time I had her she didn't have company but since she would kick other horses this is how she seemed happy.

The routine helped and generally she did not weave unless something upset her. When I sold her the new owner said she hated the first yard she was in and kicked the horses she was turned out with, which made her rather unpopular. So she moved to another yard where the stables were very airy, and old cattle yard and she had a very good view and was happy there.

So hopefully your horse will settle into a routine and will improve, but I suspect that once a weaver always a weaver.

 

[Pinkvboots]

Certain stables can make a weaving horse worse my friend had an Arab that weaved terribly so we tried him in different stables and we eventually found one he liked, the weaving basically stopped overnight so it might be worth moving her about if you can.