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Discussion on They were beside themselves! | |
Author | Message |
Member: gwen |
Posted on Thursday, Jul 24, 2008 - 10:17 pm: The boys have been home now for about 2 1/2 weeks. Jack has been home a few times before, and settled back in well. Theo is still figuring things out, and seems to be taking cues from Jack. I am pretty glad about that because Jack is acting like a good ole' guy thus far. One thing though, that they do is bolt out of the run in when we arrive back to their area. When they see us, they are fine, and come over to say hello. Tonight I fed them in the run in because of the stormy weather we were having. Well they were being stinkers about it, and would spook and take off together at dinner. They did end up eating, so I went up to the house. I went down to check them at about 8:30, and they hadn't TOUCHED their hay in the run in and were acting like crazy men. Once I would coax Jack into the run in, Theo would spook and bolt causing Jack to do the same.So I have two questions: 1. Any thoughts on determining what the cause is? 2. They are clearly setting each other off. How do I facilitate better "choices" for them to not act like the sky is falling? **I am not even convinced that there is anything there to truly spook at. I am wondering if one overeacts to something, then sends the other over the edge. I am worried that Jack is going to make Theo insecure and spooky. |
Member: scooter |
Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2008 - 6:05 am: Hi Gwen, when I moved my horses to our property they acted the same way. I have a lean-to also, and they wouldn't eat in it, and would rather stand out in a storm then go in there. I spent weeks trying to make them "feel at home". They were jumpy and spooky. I finally gave up.Eventually they figured out nothing was going to get them and settled down. I have moved my horses many times in my horse ownership life (30 yrs.) before we bought our own property and found it takes about 6 mos. more or less before they feel real secure in their new surroundings....depending on the horse. I can't get mine out of the lean to now, and it is their favorite dining area. Just go about your daily chores as normal. Leave hay in there, eventually they will settle down. |
Member: canter |
Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2008 - 11:04 am: One thought, Gwen: is there electricity going around or under the run? I'm wondering if an ungrounded / broken circuit is causing the spookiness? (technical terms for "I have no clue about wireing" . ) Could they be getting a shock when standing in any particular spot?BTW, how is your training going along with Theo? Haven't heard from you in a while and was wondering how things are going. |
Member: gwen |
Posted on Friday, Jul 25, 2008 - 2:34 pm: You know Fran, I thought the same thing! I do have a wire that was malfunctioning last night! I ended up unplugging it. They have been in the run in for the majority of the day, cleaning up the mountains of hay I had left for them. I am going to have to look into the electric wire thing--not sure where to begin with that one.Diane, I will give them some more time. I just thought it curious that a) Jack had lived there before, and b) they seemed to have settled in before yesterday-sort of regressed a bit. In seeing their behavior today, I am pretty convinced that it was something related to either the storm or the wire... Theo and I are doing well--thanks for asking. We have made some headway, and he continues to teach me how to be a real horseperson. I keep meaning to get some pictures of me riding him, but never have an audience. I will get some to share; maybe this weekend. |