Yearling along for 5 weeks

[IhaveTooMany]

My yearlings field mate is going away for 5 weeks.
She has been in a heard from foal.
Would this 5 week break from other horses increase her seperation anxiety in future or possibly help independence, in anyone's own experience? There is sheep for company and daily handling. I can move her to my other yard temporarily but wondering if this could be beneficial.

 

[Gingerwitch]

I would not personally

 

[Spot the Merry Risk]

Do you mean there won’t be any other horses with your yearling?

 

[FieldOrnaments]

Please do not leave a baby alone for that length of time.

 

[MarvelVillis]

I wouldn't leave her on her own - I'd be moving her to the other yard, or do you know anyone who has a companion who could keep her company whilst your other one is away?

 

[dorsetladette]

Move her to your other yard. Or move another one in with her until the field buddy comes back.

 

[adamntitch]

nope ether move her or borrow a pony/horse till the other one is back

 

[rhino]

Absolutely not!

 

[TheMule]

No horse shoukd ever be subjected to living alone, and definitely not a yearling

 

[DabDab]

It absolutely will not be beneficial.

Would you leave a human toddler alone in a pen for five weeks with a dog popping in to visit a couple of times a day?

 

[foxy1]

It's highly likely to increase separation anxiety in the future, I think you need to take the yearling to your other yard or you will create all sorts of problems

 

[Jenko109]

Argh. You can't.

Wicked to do that to a baby.

 

[Tarragon]

I agree with the others that she shouldn't be left on her own so either move her or get a companion pony in, but I think that being away from her normal field mate for that length of time might be beneficial in helping her not become too dependent on just the one companion.

 

[Exasperated]

My yearlings field mate is going away for 5 weeks.
She has been in a heard from foal.
Would this 5 week break from other horses increase her seperation anxiety in future or possibly help independence, in anyone's own experience? There is sheep for company and daily handling. I can move her to my other yard temporarily but wondering if this could be beneficial.

This is a bad idea. A very bad idea.
Filly is highly likely to stress, is quite possibly going to try and jump out, at very least run off condition worrying about their absence -
- this is the first time she’s been without equine company since birth, and the isolation is going to last five weeks?!!
Please take her to the other yard, or bring her a companion, before removing the field mate. At her age, sheep will not cut the mustard, and neither will you - however well intentioned.
Sure, practise taking her in and out the field, walking away from the field and her friends, tying and brushing, but never abandon a yearling on its own unless prepared for physical and mental damage.

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

As above..really bad idea.

 

[IhaveTooMany]

For anyone curious to know, we had her with the sheep for a week she was actually really great, we were very observant - house is directly accross from her paddock and I worked with her twice a day every day. She moved to the other yard after the 8 days and does seem a bit more independent. Although I wouldn't recommend it with any youngster! I just had a feeling about her being OK to handle that for short term. She really is an amazing filly, or possibly missing something

 

[Widgeon]

I just had a feeling about her being OK to handle that for short term. She really is an amazing filly, or possibly missing something

I think you're right that some of them let you get away with a lot more than others. I've got an 18 month old (bought on the strength of his family's temperaments - they are very people-ponies) who has so far been very easy. My OH can lead him in and out with a rope round his neck. I'm glad you found a way to make a less than ideal situation work ok for all of you.

 

[I'm Dun]

For anyone curious to know, we had her with the sheep for a week she was actually really great, we were very observant - house is directly accross from her paddock and I worked with her twice a day every day. She moved to the other yard after the 8 days and does seem a bit more independent. Although I wouldn't recommend it with any youngster! I just had a feeling about her being OK to handle that for short term. She really is an amazing filly, or possibly missing something

You're missing you being an awful owner. There is no excuse for doing that to a young horse whether they cope or not.

 

[Widgeon]

That's a spectacularly horrible thing to say to someone trying to make the best of a bad situation. The pony was without equine company for eight days and the owner says she was closely watched the whole time and had regular interactions with trusted humans. Sometimes all we can do is our best.

 

[foxy1]

The OP stated they could have moved to their yard temporarily. So not unavoidable.

 

[Jenko109]

Baffling.

You come on here to ask advice.

Literally EVERYONE tells you it's unfair on the pony and detrimental to her wellbeing.

You ignore all advice and subject the poor sod to a period of isolation anyway.

Why did you bother to ask?

 

[Widgeon]

The OP stated they could have moved to their yard temporarily. So not unavoidable.

I thought that's what she did? She said, the pony moved to her other yard after 8 days. Why the delay, I don't know, but there could be all sorts of reasons that it's difficult to move a horse immediately.

 

[I'm Dun]

I thought that's what she did? She said, the pony moved to her other yard after 8 days. Why the delay, I don't know, but there could be all sorts of reasons that it's difficult to move a horse immediately.

They had plenty of warning and time to sort it. They didnt based on a feeling the horse would be fine. They chose to leave a yearling alone without company because they wanted to. They then came back to gloat about how well it had gone, which makes people think its ok. Its not.

 

[Amy May In A Manger]

They had plenty of warning and time to sort it. They didnt based on a feeling the horse would be fine. They chose to leave a yearling alone without company because they wanted to. They then came back to gloat about how well it had gone, which makes people think its ok. Its not.

Not gloating, merely updating that it coped well for a few days, before being moved to the other yard.

 

[New Forests Rock]

To leave a yearling on its own is just inexcusable.