Weaving in the field... help!

edgedem

edgedem

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just got my new horse, he is a 16 year old schoolmaster and is a dream to ride but unfortunately been passed around a little. as such he doesnt settle too well in new homes and is a weaver in the stable but also is pacing the fence line of the field.

he is out 24/7 currently and will have hard standing with the option of field shelter in the winter. he has company in the field and also horses surrounding his field.

is there anything I can do to relieve his stress/boredom?
 
how long have you had him?? is there plenty of grazing?

horses sometimes take a long while to settle, remember he is at a new place, with new horsy friends and a new owner so will be a little stressed for a while. maybe go out and spend some time with him grazing in hand and see if he settles. he may be worried about his companions but they usually sort out a pecking order then settle. I wouldn't worry too much about weaving as that will probably lesson once he is calmer.....can we see piccies for your new boy please?
 
ok that's good, yes I understand its just a settling thing, was just trying to work out if there was anything I could do to make it all a bit easier for him, he's only with two mini Shetlands, so he's deffo top dog! when I am about with him he does come over and graze with me, but when hes left along he starts his constant pacing, poor thing!

I will post piccies as soon as im back home and not in work :D :D

ETA only been here since last night :) early days yet!
 
very early days.....it can take a few weeks so try not to worry just keep him in a nice routine and he will get to feel comfortable and relax a bit more. piccies of the minis as well please!!!!!
 
Its a very stressy time for him in new place, new people etc so give him time.
My exracer weaves almost constantly in stable so he lives out 24/7. Had him 3 years and he now only weaves when he is very impatient, such as on the trailer when returned home while waiting for me to park and get him out! Or when he wants to go back in the big field after eating etc.
he is only 7 so think this is with him for life from the racing yard screwing up his mind BUT its massively loads better than when he first arrived. If i moved his feed bucket only 3 foot away from its usual place he would weave and stress himself something chronic!
Ensure you only give him low sugar and starch feeds so there is nothing fizzy in his diet, plus look at adding just plain magnesium powder as a calmer to help him adjust, throw some swedes and carrots around on the floor to get him occupied in looking for them and distract him.
 
Some horses don't see Shetlands as 'horses' or suitable company. Can you try him with another bigger horse? My gelding also box walks and weaves when confined so I just don't put him in a stable. He use to also weave when tied up but over time has stopped completely.
 
fawaz said:
Some horses don't see Shetlands as 'horses' or suitable company. Can you try him with another bigger horse? My gelding also box walks and weaves when confined so I just don't put him in a stable. He use to also weave when tied up but over time has stopped completely.
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I had this. The big horses just would not accept that my little one (44 inches, not a mini) was a horse, and they just ignored him. If you have two tinies, they are company for each other and I doubt he sees them as company at all.
 
He may not see any horse as company if he is generally stressed. I would give him some gastric and gut support in the mean time.
Is he used to being out? What was his previous routine?

Mini Shetlands, the same as other horses, can be very bossy, size doesn't matter in their heads! My 16hh tb is great friends with a 32 ins mini.
 
fawaz said:
Some horses don't see Shetlands as 'horses' or suitable company. Can you try him with another bigger horse? My gelding also box walks and weaves when confined so I just don't put him in a stable. He use to also weave when tied up but over time has stopped completely.
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I was going to say the same. My old TB wasn't happy with just a Shetland at first and used to fence walk or weave over the gate. I found he only counted over about 14hh as suitable companions!
 
Hello ,

Just to update on this in case people were interested :)

I put in a track system for them to graze through its actually worked out brilliantly, they can graze more naturally and it stopped his weaving completely!

also in relation to the shetlands... he may not see them as horses but he certainly enjoys their company! saw him this morning itch his head on the shetlands back and then had a doze with his head rested on her back!

Very happy content horse and a very happy horsey mum! :)
 
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