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Gwen Robison
Member
Username: Gwen
Post Number: 73
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 9:32 am: |   |
I have 2 geldings in my backyard who are best friends. Unfortunately, one may leaving this weekend on trial. They get very upset when one leaves the other and I am not sure how to handle this particular situation. Am I making too much out of this? Will the other be fine alone, or should I make other arrangements so that he has companionship? It will be a temporary situation, as I will be getting a new one eventually. |
Sara Wolff
Member
Username: Mrose
Post Number: 536
Registered: 1-2000
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:29 am: | |
Do you have any other animals for him to be around? cows? goats? It will be hard for him to be all alone, and he will probably go through a frantic period, then a "mourning" period before he adjusts. |
Ann Schrichte
Member
Username: Annes
Post Number: 76
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 10:51 am: | |
I would definitely get him another buddy. Can you temporarily board a friend's horse or pony? Especially one that is known to get along well with other geldings. Good luck. |
Robert N. Oglesby DVM
Moderator
Username: Dro
Post Number: 12432
Registered: 1-1997
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 5:48 pm: | |
The horse will settle down, usually in less than a week however horses have run through fences under such circumstances. Be sure the horse is in a safe and secure area if you think he will become very upset. A buddy of some type is a good idea.
DrO |
Lisa F.
Member
Username: Othello1
Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, Mar 30, 2005 - 8:13 pm: | |
If your horse has a stall/for some part of the day, you may want to try to hang a shatterproof mirror. He may be startled at first but will like it later. |
Michael Walencik
New Member
Username: Rancher
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, Dec 28, 2006 - 10:29 pm: | |
my horse cody gets very anxious when we go for a trail ride. When one horse is all ready leaving to go on the trail and im still saddeling up she just wants to go. When im done she wants to run towards her and ignore me and what im trying to tell her. She acts as if she will never see the other horse again. What can i do to stop her from worrying so much and to settle her down. |
LL
Member
Username: Frances
Post Number: 332
Registered: 3-2004
| | Posted on Friday, Dec 29, 2006 - 8:36 am: | |
Hi Michael
You'll find lots of advice here about separation anxiety. Is your mare turned out with this other horse? If so, it's often helpful to separate them initially for extremely short periods of time, e.g. to take the other horse out of the paddock, close the gate, and then open it again and return him to his friend right away.
Once your mare can tolerate this, as she understands her buddy is only temporarily being removed, you can walk the other horse away a few metres, still within her view, and then turn him out with your mare again. Continue this until she is happy with the situation.
Next, you would take the buddy out of sight for a minute. Again, when your mare is fine with this, extend the time ... and so on until the other horse can actually leave for a trail ride without causing your mare any anxiety.
Takes a lot of time and patience of course.
To read others' experiences with this situation, either go to "Search & Discussions" and type in "Separation Anxiety", or go to "Horse Training - Training the Mind".
Good luck! |
