Would it be worth trying a calmer??

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Gorgeous George

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Poor George is still really anxious in his stable (absolutely fine in the field and ok-ish to ride) and I was wondering if some sort of calmer would be good to try, or not? And if so which one?

Thanks
 
No. They take a few weeks to get into the system anyway, by which time he would have settled anyway. Just carry on with your normaly routine and try not to be anxious yourself as he will pick up on it. He will be fine, honestly! Horses cope very well with change, better than we do because they can't wonder what if etc like we can.
 
Try a stable mirror?
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He seems to want to get out, he has started banging on the door and scraping at the floor with his foot (and this is when I'm not around as well). The stable is bigger than his old one (but traditional as opposed to the barn he was in), nice and airy, but it does look onto a busy yard/driveway and before he was at the back of the barn and he wasn't disturbed.

I'm fretting about him, and I feel my inexperience is now letting me down.
 
I agree with Shilasdair, try a stable mirror my boy loves his or maybe just that he loves himself as is often seen licking his reflection.
 
Honestly, he will be absolutely fine. By the time a calmer is in his system you would have worked through it anyway. The instant calmers only work for a few hours and they're v expensive so not really worth it for the amount you would have to give.

How about getting him a likit or something like that? It would give him something to think about while he's in and might help to keep him quiet.

My new girl went through a phase of all of this. I've had her about 2 months now, first few weeks she was a gem then she decided she would try her luck a bit. Had a couple of weeks of kicking the door, scraping the floor when she thought she should be getting something. I just ignore it and now she stands quietly like a lamb.

Honestly, trust me, he will settle. I would just get him something to amuse him and take his mind of whatever is worrying him. Is he eating his hay and dinner ok? Maybe something like a snakaball would help? Just give him some of his mix in it.
 
Trish please dont worry too much.

He is in a new enviroment,and has a new routine, busier yard, give it a week or so and he will settle.

I personally wouldnt go down the whole expensive stable mirror route etc yet, he has only been there a couple of days.

Just act confident and laid back aound him, he will pick up on the
vibes!you know where I am if you want to talk
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Isnt he getting more turnout now ? Perhaps he is just keen to go out. Im sure he will be fine once he gets settled into his new routine - I do sympathise tho, when my 'main' horse was at livery he used to be a nightmare if things changed and it completely stressed me out
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He will settle down when he's got used to being in a different stable and position , try sticking some carrots in the holes of his haynet to keep him occupied or put a lickit up in the back of his stable so he's not constantly looking out the front
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My horse took ages to settle in his box when we moved yards but he got used to it. Try not to make too much of a fuss of him and let him get used to his new home.
 
It is very, very early days. Just make sure he has lots of hay, a good bed and don't panic. The more upset you are, the longer it will take him to settle. When I bought my Icelandic pony, it took him a year to settle down - so give George a bit of time and he'll be fine.
 
A magnesium based calmer can get in to the system within days, unlike herbal calmers. I used 'Magic' when my 17 month colt had a nasty injury. I noticed a definite improvement in his demeanour.
I would say def worth a try.

Jo
 
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