Youngster does not like stable!

Parker79

Parker79

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I knew my new rising 3yo was not a fan of stables, he has never been kept in, always had a shelter. I knew it would take time to get him used to it.

He is able to live out 24/7 but I need him to get used to the stable in case he ever needs box rest.

So have been bringing him in at every opportunity, feeding him nuts in the stable, started with door open, started to close it now.....its very early days and I know it will take time...but does anyone have any good suggestions to help? Once he finishes his nuts he runs to the door, if its closed he starts barging it, I can get him to stand back but its not easy...he gets very stressed so I do not want to punish him by sending him back with great force.

Any ideas? we can only stay in for about...5 minutes or so at the mo! I dont want him to hurt himself on the door or try to jump out.

It is early days, anyone else on here had the same trouble?
 
We did, always with babies that had lived out. None took kindly to stables at first. In our case, the YO tends to put them in the barn. It's quieter but they can see other horses. Also with our internal boxes, they have a weaving grill so babies can't hurt themselves getting out. Boxes have full rubber matting too. takes time but persistence and they get used to it.
 
Thankyou, might consider weave bar and put carpet on inside of door. Stable has rubber matting and horses are next door, he wont look at haylage, too stressy.

He is very calm in field and outside, but in the stable he is clearly having a panic, just wanted to try and keep it positive for him without getting squished!!
 
Just keep to the little and often. Maybe a small feed outside his stable then in..I have seen some seriously unhappy babies but by keeping the time brief and ensuring they can't hurt themselves they always settle!
 
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