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Discussion on Incessant neighing when out of sight of herd | |
Author | Message |
Member: lisam |
Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 8:24 pm: Hi everyone, I am not sure that this belongs in "separation anxiety" exactly, but my mare has developed the nasty habit of calling incessantly to her herdmates when we are in the stable yard out of sight of them. Because the pastures are not visible from the yard, and our horses are out 24-7 weather-permitting, this happens quite often. She is super-loud and shrill and it drives me completely nuts. She doesn't otherwise seem stressed; she doesn't dance around or look frantic. She just calls and calls. Of course she gets an answer everyone once in a while too, which doesn't help. Under saddle she is fine, even when alone.I am not sure how to correct this. I have tried yelling at her every time she does it, and I have thought about putting a chain over her nose and yanking every time she calls. The problem is that she very clearly knows the difference between my being next to her for discipline and my being out of reach. Today, for example, I put a regular lead on her and yanked it, with a sharp "no," every time she called. The result was a series of very short abortive whinnies (kind of funny, actually) when I was next to her, and full-on calling when I was not. I have to admit that I hate spending my too-short-as-it-is barn time yelling at my horse and yanking on her. And the stress of the incessant noise (and worrying about how much it annoys the other humans around) leaves me more on edge when I leave the barn than when I arrive. I will be very grateful for all suggestions! Lisa |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 8:48 pm: Lisa I can sympathize, both my geldings had that habit when out of the eyesight of the herd, very irritating.What helped with one horse was grazing him in the yard out of sight of the herd for 10 mins. or so and put him back before it started. (he likes grazing in the yard better then his herd) making the intervals longer each time. The other gelding that screams gets a leaf of good hay to keep him occupied, or turned out in a pasture with "good grazing". One gelding has completely stopped, the "left behind gelding" has gotten much better, and my ear drums thank them! |
Member: stevens |
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 10:02 am: I had a gelding we called Lonesome for exactly that reason. It took a lot of time taking him out by himself and just ignoring the screaming for him to get mostly over it. Literally hours on the trail wishing I had earplugs. If he was quiet we went back home, if he called on the way back home, we went back out. If he was really obnoxious, we worked in the arena and then went out on the trail. This was over the course of about 6 months. |
Member: babychop |
Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008 - 12:23 pm: My mare does this too, if my yearling gets out of her sight she loses her mind & calls constantly - even if he's just in the gully separated only by some trees. My boyfriend believes it's because he's getting to eat what she can't have because as soon as she can see him she looses interest (she likes the gully). Problem is she won't quit and will usually colic from all the extra air she sucks in if I let it go on so I end up bringing the colt back up & putting him in the round pen or back in his stall. She only does it when she's locked up. If she's the one in the gully & he's locked up she doesn't care...Because of that I tend to think it is food jealousy as she quits calling when out of earshot of the others when I take her on trail, that or her mind is occupied. Good luck, mine is a bit high strung (she paces too) but I'll be watching for an answer if anyone has a solution, it's darned annoying. |
Member: lisam |
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 12:32 pm: Thanks everybody! Very interesting answers. I have tried hay with no success but I have not tried the lenghtening-intervals thing. Chris, your patience is impressive! I can see how it would take a while for the horse to understand that noise = more work. I am trying to think of a way to apply that to my horse, but it's hard because she only calls when she is *not* working (she's in the stable yard just for grooming and tacking). I guess that the general principle of negative reinforcement applies.So, it sounds like no one has tried a direct punishment like a chain yank. Somehow it seems strange to punish her for neighing, but then again I know we are not supposed to tolerate "herd behavior" of any sort when they are being handled. Anyway, many things to think about -- thanks! Lisa |
Member: babychop |
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 2:44 pm: One thing that keeps my mare busy is Pony Pops. They curb the behavior until they're gone (since she's figured out she can bite them that's usually a day or two). I would think that yanking a chain would only work while you are there attached to her face. Horses are usually smart enough to figure out that if you can't reach them they can get away with it.I know of some using a shock collar made specifically for horses but I think that's a but cruel & wouldn't opt for that myself. I would think it would create more issues than it solves. |
Member: lisam |
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 3:06 pm: Pony Pops! I had never heard of them but just looked them up and I think it's a brilliant idea. Thanks, I am going to order some right away.Yes, what you describe about the chain is exactly what happened with a regular lead and a harsh voice . . . as soon as I had to walk away to get something, she was right back at it. Very excited about the Pony Pop idea! Lisa |
Member: babychop |
Posted on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 - 5:32 pm: I don't give them to her all the time as she winds up sticky from head to toe but it's good for a treat & they do keep her occupied, I did buy the dispenser as on a rope she was a complete mess, it was everywhere! Another idea I saw was stall mirrors if it's separation anxiety...Oh, my girl likes the carrot flavor & the grain flavor best. She sticks her nose up at Lickits. |