What would you do about this?

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samlf

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Friends horse, she is at work until 6.30 today.
Got our 2 in at 5ish today, and there was a mini shetland on the yard (one of the other livery's horses, usually lives in a field the other side of the farm but now cant be in with that horse). The shetland will be staying on the yard every night now, loose.

Friends horse went nuts, just got him in his stable and he was rearing and throwing himself about. Managed to get his bridle off and get out, but he was still going nuts. didnt calm down after sorting my horse out. still throwing himself about, screaming at the pony, box walking. Tried to go in to put haynets up but he was genuinely very dangerous.

Anyway told friend that she would need to go up after work and check him and put more hay in, hopefully he will have settled.
She said if he hasnt she may give him some sedalin, my worry is that may make him more likely to hurt himself if he cant feel/react properly.

Thoughts?
 
Sedalin will be pointless. If already wound up won't work or will make worse. I'm not a fan of horses loose on yards when others are stabled.

If only nights I'd get in before Shetland and grill if necessary. Or is there a small stable Shetland could be popped in while bringing in?

Not something I'd be happy with though.
 
Do you think it was the shetland that was causing the problem?

TBH I'd try and find the route of the problem if this is out of character for your friends horse, and address whatever that is before he hurts himself/ someone else.
 
most definitely the shetland yes, horse is normally completely calm in the stable. The livery with the shetland tends to get in very early so not sure how that would work, but could give it a go.

No we arent happy about it either, but will speak to YM tomorrow when we see what comes of tonight
 
My mare used to be terrified of Shetlands, I got the opportunity to stable her next to one, with only a gate between (so she could see it), 2 days later she was then fine with most Shetlands. Thus if it is the Shetland, he will probably settle in a day or two. However would tie it up while bringing in.
 
Can you speak to YO about alternative arrangements for the shetland if it's destressing your friends horse so much, at least pop it in a stable so you can safely get him in and settled before letting the shetland out again if it absolutely has to be on the yard at night.
If it continues and he doesn't get used to it (and is really that bad) I'd move yards - hate to think of them so upset
 
PM it's not unusual. We have had Welsh a, donkeys and shetlands on site which most horses have taken great offence to, seem to be the only breeds that have annoyed everything! They've settled as piebald says but was a controlled environment. Having a Shetland running loose then bringing in a horse is not something I'd be happy with at all.
 
PS - thats all well and good but I doubt if the horse injures himself in the meantime (which is very likely considering how he was acting) I doubt anyone will be very forthcoming to pay the bill!
PM - thats the plan tomorrow, I dont like the idea of it anyway tbh, especially as it can apparently open stable doors.

Was more wondering if anyone had any ideas about the sedalin or alternatives to try and get him to chill? the shetland came and said hello but it didnt make any difference :/
 
Can you turn shetland out with him tomorrow? Perhaps if he gets the chance to meet him properly & say hello he won't be as concerned about it.
 
I'd make sure that the hay was available as soon as the horse came in, rather than having to take it in afterwards - there's nothing like eating to take a horse's mind off its troubles.
 
Samlf. I'd be getting down the yard and putting a clip on the bolt tonight if it can open doors.
Do you have a grill for tonight or spare stable for Shetland if talk to owner, then can sort something tomorrow in daylight. Or could your two stay out tonight?

I really wouldn't sedalin. I've had a very bad reaction with my mare when wound up first and has had it when calm before and is fine.
 
Do you think he is upset about the Shetland because it is a shetland (I too have known this to be the case) or do you think it could be that the Shetland is out and he is shut in? Is there not a field near the yard the Shetland can be put in so he isn't so obvious?
 
the kick bolts are on but think he can still open them. will ask friend to do that now.
nope no spare stable or grill.
I've asked friend to let me know how he is when she goes down, but if theyre that bad then she could put them out tonight yes.

Tilda- definitely because its a shetland, the second he saw it on the yard being led in he was like this. he was in a field out of the way with an elderly horse but the owner has said she doesnt him in with the horse because the old horse isnt eating his feed or something.
 
I would give him a few nights to get used to it - I know not all horses like shetlands, but sometimes horses need to be made to 'face their fears', after all you may meet one on a hack or at a show one day! I am also a great believer that horses need to learn to adapt to new situations, but obviously not if it is going to do them harm.

You never know, in a few nights time it may no longer be an issue. However, if the situation doesn't improve, you need to speak to your YO.
 
Shetland has gone back in with his friend now anyway.
Sidney, ordinarily I completely agree. This horse was a danger to himself and anyone around him, so not worth the vets bill/person getting hurt. He has seen the shetland before hacking past his field etc and is fine.
 
be careful if he is genuinely frightened of it
my big cob will literally bolt in blind panic away from shetlands with no thought of his own safety and he will crash through fences too. he will do this when loose or ridden/driven
but he has a reason as when he was 11 months old he was badly beaten up by a shetland then at 6 yrs chased whilst ridden through a field with one latched by its teeth to his tail
so i wouldnt want this shetland on the yard loose or turned out with him
 
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