Young Horse Advice

H

Harley122

Member
Joined
13 January 2012
Messages
11
Visit site
Hi, I recently got a 4yr old, Dutch warmblood, gelding and he's been brilliant but seems to get quite excited when other horses come and go. He isn't bothered when he is in his stable it's mainly if he's out on the yard or in an arena. He mainly whinnies when he sees them and gets quite bolshy and the same when they leave. He was only backed 5 weeks before I got him and has only been with me 4 weeks so he has been through a lot of change and we are still getting to know each other. I think giving him time will help with this but I just wondered if there was anything else that could help?
 
Has he gone from a baby regime, as in heard turnout in a familiar place, to a different one, where it is all new and also no turnout with pals to protect him and socialise with?

I would go easy for a while, as he seems happy enough when they leave and he is stabled. I would increase pressure a bit at a time, such as having him on the yard doing something, and put away when people leave. Or do something with 2 other horses on the arena, and have one leave (but the other stays), then have yours leave, and build up the coming and going bit by bit.

When mine was anxious, I had one leave and then come back within a short time. I had horses coming and going randomly, while he worked. He would leave then come back. Coming and going of him and others, randomly, made him think less about it.

I would hack out and on a field, or somewhere safe, start splitting up just 20m or so, and build it up from there. So do circles round and back, ride within the same general area but at increasing distances, out and back.

It sounds like genuine anxiety that needs confidence building.
 
Last edited:
Red-1 said:
Has he gone from a baby regime, as in heard turnout in a familiar place, to a different one, where it is all new and also no turnout with pals to protect him and socialise with?

I would go easy for a while, as he seems happy enough when they leave and he is stabled. I would increase pressure a bit at a time, such as having him on the yard doing something, and put away when people leave. Or do something with 2 other horses on the arena, and have one leave (but the other stays), then have yours leave, and build up the coming and going bit by bit.

When mine was anxious, I had one leave and then come back within a short time. I had horses coming and going randomly, while he worked. He would leave then come back. Coming and going of him and others, randomly, made him think less about it.

I would hack out and on a field, or somewhere safe, start splitting up just 20m or so, and build it up from there. So do circles round and back, ride within the same general area but at increasing distances, out and back.

It sounds like genuine anxiety that needs confidence building.
Click to expand...
Thank you for the reply🙂. The yard I got him from was where he had been taken to be backed and sold so he was only there 5/6 weeks before he moved again to come to me. I think he only went out with one other horse but I don't how often he was turned out while he was there. At the moment he's turned out on his own with other horses around him which isn't ideal but he doesn't get upset or stress when he's out. I agree with needing to do some confidence building and will have a go at getting horses to come and go in the arena🙂
 
Midlifecrisis said:
Time and a regular routine will help enormously, just keep on keeping on.
Click to expand...

this.

i bought a 5yo breeding stallion last year and his first few trips away to busy arena hires/competition centres were filled with noise, eyes popping out his head, unable to get his brain off other horses (was never naughty just incredibly tense, unsure of his job, not able to focus on work)

fast forward only 3 months and he stands like a doll to get ready,plods across the car park and cracks on with his job almost ignoring other horses (bar the odd tiny neigh).

time and patience wins most :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top