youngster advise

[competitiondiva]

I have a homebred 2 year old warmblood, his mum is as independant as they come, always has been, but her son is extremely dependent on company, human or horse, do they grow out of this? Is there anything I can do to get him more independant? He was weaned with another foal so has never really had to be by himself, he'll settle just about in a stable with another horse next to him, but not if that horse is then moved etc......

 

[eggs]

I tend to find that our 2 year olds are quite frantic about being separated from their friends but seem to grow out of it by the time they are 3. We bring them into their own stables in pairs, feed them and them turn them straight back out. Gradually you can leave them in their stable for longer and then turn them out one at a time (originally they are led out together) alternating which is turned out first but turning the second one out immediately after the first. They quickly learn that it isn't so bad. Good luck with your youngster.

 

[competitiondiva]

Thanks for that eggs, reassuring! I'll keep to daily stabling for feed/groom etc then back out and hope he gets over it! My other 2 year old (a cob) doesn't give a monkeys about company!! So I have the two extreme's!