why doesn't he want to go out??

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charlie55

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Hi ya guys just wondering if anyone could help...
1 yr old boy was turned out with a friend but got very very attatched, it come to a point that when the friend came in early my boy would come in after him, through the fence. It got very dangerous with him hurting himself and actually got out on the road at one point. Same happens when he goes out early and my lad was left in. All hell would brake out. Dont get me wrong he is normally very very well behaved and you can do anything with him. He was just so attached to his buddy it was driving me mad. Anyway the friend moved yards nearer to home and after a couple of days my boy calmed down and I have since left him on his own, there are horses all around him In other fields and he can still play over the fence etc. He has been as good as gold for two weeks, staying in his field like a good boy but now hes just started not wanting to go out. And I mean he will plant himself outside the field and refuse to go in!!
Is it because he is lonely, depressed? Shall I get him another field friend and risk him get too attached again or leave him on his own to deal with it? The fields are only for one or two horses so turning out with more then one other is a no no.. I dont know what to do :-/
 
I would look for somewhere with herd living. For him, he'd get to grow up with others and for you, less chance of him getting attached to one other horse.
 
If he is 1 yr old, he really needs a friend - horses are such herd creatures, and particularly youngsters, so I would say that yes he is lonely and if not depressed, then certainly not enjoying life. They can get quite nervous going into a field on their own, and what should be a pleasure becomes an ordeal for them.

He has to learn to play, to fight, to groom, all the things horses do together. Playing over the fence isn't quite the same and an older horse will cope with that but a youngster needs more.

I think for his future well being you need to get him a friend only this time have some ground rules - you shouldn't bring one in and leave the other, so they come in together, and go out together. If you get another horse yourself that is easily sorted, if it's another livery then you have to have rules - I'd never be able to bring one horse in and leave out another, especially a youngster, that's just unkind.

Yes they will get attached, but if you can only have two in the field, that's how it is going to be. You can deal with that when he is older, but let him have a friend for now, and worry about separating them a few years down the line.

My friend bought two yearlings and when he took one away, the other came over the door she was so distraught. Now he can take one to a show and leave the other, but he did it gradually, a few minutes at a time, and now they can easily be separated.
 
A yearling needs company with him, ideally a group so it does not become so attached to just the one, I would expect him to have become upset being left whether there are others nearby or not it is normal behaviour when there are just 2 together. He is now probably upset, confused and lonely, playing over a fence is not the same as having company in with them .
I would be looking for somewhere he can go in the spring to be turned out in a proper group with other youngsters so he can grow up in a more suitable environment, he should not become so attached if there are more around him and will be a happier and confident individual if you can do so. For now I would try and get another in with him but not expect him to be left when it comes in arrange that they come in together to avoid accidents.
 
DuckToller said:
If he is 1 yr old, he really needs a friend - horses are such herd creatures, and particularly youngsters, so I would say that yes he is lonely and if not depressed, then certainly not enjoying life. They can get quite nervous going into a field on their own, and what should be a pleasure becomes an ordeal for them.

He has to learn to play, to fight, to groom, all the things horses do together. Playing over the fence isn't quite the same and an older horse will cope with that but a youngster needs more.

I think for his future well being you need to get him a friend only this time have some ground rules - you shouldn't bring one in and leave the other, so they come in together, and go out together. If you get another horse yourself that is easily sorted, if it's another livery then you have to have rules - I'd never be able to bring one horse in and leave out another, especially a youngster, that's just unkind.

Yes they will get attached, but if you can only have two in the field, that's how it is going to be. You can deal with that when he is older, but let him have a friend for now, and worry about separating them a few years down the line.

My friend bought two yearlings and when he took one away, the other came over the door she was so distraught. Now he can take one to a show and leave the other, but he did it gradually, a few minutes at a time, and now they can easily be separated.
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This is the advice i would have given myself, and it did work until she wanted to go out for a ride.....

I think i may have to move yards which is a complete pain in the bum!!
 
As every-one else has said, youngsters need company, they need to be able play, learn to balance in different situations, learn herd manners. If you can find grass livery with a herd that would probably be best.
I don't understand why people buy youngsters they can't cater properly for, nor why YO take them on livery, knowing that their yard is not ideal for youngsters.
 
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