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Discussion on Another question about being Herd bound | |
Author | Message |
Member: Corinne |
Posted on Tuesday, Oct 17, 2006 - 11:41 pm: Someone at my barn asked if Demetrius was gelded late, when I told her he was gelded during his first year she said she thought he was proud cut because of his behavior problems. Having never seen any behavior problems, or heard of any, since I have owned him I inquired as to what she was talking about. She said when he is in his stall alone or in the barn alone he hollers to the horses still outside and runs in circles and generally bucks around although calms down easily if spoken too.In our old barn he did not have any stall vices but could not see other horses. His new facility has stall guards up during the day and french windows out to the yard open all the time. If he is in the stall he can see his paddock mate (there is one that lives outside all the time) and in the stall he can see the horses near him. Sometimes the one that lives outside calls for him and he calls back or vice versa. When he is with the herd (12 hours a day) he won't leave their side and I usually have to go get him if they are all in the far paddock when it's time to ride. He also runs and kicks his legs in the air when turned out in the morning. He has no signs of aggressive behavior with the other horses or people and has never tried to mount the mare he is turned out with. He just stands by them. Under saddle he never misbehaves, even apart from the herd. Just curious because they called his actions Stud like because is loud when calling and is getting excited when apart from the herd. Wouldn't a proud cut or studdy horse have different behaviors such as trying to mount the mares etc or erections and wouldn't they have shown long before eight years old and at a new barn in a new environment? In my opinion I think he is exhibiting separation anxiety and an inclination to be herd bound. He is the lowest in the herd hierarchy. Can anyone provide any guidance as to if what I am describing is stud like behavior or separation anxiety? Maybe someone who has a stud or someone who has a proud cut horse? Thanks! |
Member: Kthorse |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 7:15 am: Hi I think its seperation anxiety. Lots of horses do this including mares and they are not proud cut. Yes I think he would have more study behaviour if he was proud cutKatrina |
Member: Cheryl |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 7:16 am: Demetris' behavior duplicates the behavior my 28 yo mare exhibits when she can't see my riding mare. She becomes frantic and will actually run herself into a lather.Robbie was gelded when he was 5. His behavior when with both mares is protective - if he perceives a danger he rounds up the other two and drives them to "safety" - is constantly on guard for predators - he will occasionally display around Fox but has never attempted to mount her because her back feet are deadly weapons and he is very aware of that fact. Which makes her allowing him to herd her the strangest behavior of all. Her attitude toward him in all other circumstances is "I am going to kill you. It may not be today - it may not be tomorrow -- but I AM going to kill you." It always amazes me when she allows "that little worthless piece of trash" to herd her. She has gotten him cornered on four occasions. She backs up to him and just starts pounding with both hinds. And she pounds until I can get there with a dressage whip to run her off. I am very thankful she hasn't managed to cripple him. They are now kept separated unless they are in a large field where he has plenty of room to stay out of her way. |
Member: Ajudson1 |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 7:35 am: I think he's acting like a horse that doesn't like being stalled and enjoys being with a herd. All typical horse behavior.Our 4 year old, Gem, will just about bust her stall down if left in after the others are let out. She will hollar, and also go in a "bucking, herding" frenzy when finally let out. Even the gentlest horse we ever owned, our very much missed Arab, Fancy, would exhibit those same characteristics if we had to keep her stalled for any reason. She would stand in front of her door and rear, over and over, used to scare us, thought she was going to hurt herself! Demetris if normal, don't worry. |
Member: Dtranch |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 7:50 am: Sounds like pretty normal behaviour to me. I was fixed 20 years ago, and my wife thinks I'm still a little too rowdy... Doesn't sound like anything to worry yourself about.DT |
Member: Canter |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 8:08 am: Ditto, to what everyone else says (...well except for what Dennis said !!!)...Demetrius is acting like a normal horse. My mare, and many other horses I've been around act exactly the same way. They simply don't like to be separated from their friends. I've deliberately brought my mare in, on occassion, not to ride or work, but just to spend time with her while she's in her stall and all the other horses are out. I think she considers me as one of the herd and she visibly relaxes when I'm puttering around (she usually swings her head back and forth to watch me), but regardless, there are times when they will have to be alone in their stalls and deal with it. |
Member: Ajudson1 |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 8:09 am: DENNIS!!!!(Ditto for my husband) |
Member: Dres |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 10:30 am: Corinne, I too feel this is normal behavior.. My question to the gang, if Corinne does not mind is..I have a long 3 year old that is on Winter vacation before her show career starts next spring.. I am down to 4 horses now.. After weaning I am sending that mare to boarding w/ covered arena for a couple of months so that I can tune her up and ride some in the winter months.. So down to 3... My gelding and weanling I want to leave out 24/7 thru the winter, they have cover and safe paddock for this.. BUT want to bring in the 3 year old by night with turnout weather permitting by day.. HOW LONG do you think it will take for her to be OK will being in the barn alone?? Or do you think I should try to find a boarder for the few months to keep her happy? Can she adjust?Dennis.. Are you PROUD CUT..? On the first day God created horses, on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Member: Corinne |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 10:58 am: Dennis...you are too funny. And I appreciate everyone's opinion that he is just acting like a horse and this behavior is not completely abnormal.Ann....ask away, anyone any time can ask questions on my posts as I learn from them as well. I know Demetrius was fine when they were all out of sight......if he could see them then he remembers he is alone. He is like a 2 year old child.....they don't remember the toys they are missing until they see their sister or brother with them. Perhaps you can try it for one night before taking on another boarder. And if it goes well that answers your question, after that I would try a stall mirrors we discussed last winter, then a buddy if need be (last resort as that will be more work for you during the winter). Good Luck! Take care, Corinne |
Member: Dtranch |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 10:59 am: Not sure Ann, but I know I wasn't too proud at the time.My experience with this situation is to keep supply of hay and they soon forget about being inside alone. If they don't settle in a couple of days, the buddy is next best idea. DT |
Member: Ajudson1 |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 11:49 am: Oh Dennis, I sat down here with lunch in front of me, and about choked with laughter when I read your post!!!! Still drying my eyes, lol!!At Brushy Creek, I can see you and Brian are going to get along great! Hey Corinne, maybe Dennis can keep Demetrius company in the stall for a few days! |
Member: Imogen |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 1:24 pm: Why do you want to bring in the 3yo? She will get used to it eventually as long as the other two are a good distance away... Also I find they give over fretting for their pasture mates once it gets dark (they know not a lot will change until dawn). I never have a problem unless the field horses are in the field next to the yard when they all call to each other and fret around the gate.All the best Imogen |
Member: Dtranch |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 2:21 pm: Certainly wouldn't be the first time I've had to sleep in the barn Angie.DT |
Member: Warwick |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 4:04 pm: Somehow that's no surprise, Dennis! |
Member: Cpacer |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 4:09 pm: Corinne, were you completely offended by the suggestion that your horse had "behavior problems"?I got in a slight tiff with someone once for insulting my horse similarly. We had a trip planned and she backed out last minute saying she was afraid to put her horse in the trailer with mine. Completely unjustified too! ps. what is proud cut? |
Member: Erika |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 4:31 pm: I looked it up in the dictionary, CP, and saw a picture of Dennis. |
Member: Dawson |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 5:33 pm: Corinne, horses are herd animals and I know you know that, "D" sounds normal to me. We had a mare from the chebasco bloodlines who was just plain neurotic in a stall, to the point she had been sent for slaughter. Yea, we took skinny Annie in, first night I stayed all night with her, the next day just her and I all day in the barn with the radio on. Once she transferred her focus on me as her leader instead of the herd, she quieted. (it took about a week)Ann, I leave a radio on, lots of hay, a few hidden treats in the stall for the horse to look for, and our barn kitty and labrador retriever in the barn for company. (there is no way for physical contact with the dog/cat-VS-horses)but they seem to provide enough entertainment. I figure it's got to be pretty boring in a small stall by yourself all day, and then the smallest everyday sound can make you jump. Does this make sense. |
Member: Dres |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 6:12 pm: Imogen, I would love to leave this 3 year old out.. she has been out for her first 3 years.. but sadly I only have a winter paddock for two, thus the other horses go in at night and out by day..I think I will give this a try for 3 days when the time comes Dec.. If she does not settle then I will either bring in the other two or find a boarder... thanks all On the first day God created horses , on the second day he painted them with spots.. |
Member: Corinne |
Posted on Wednesday, Oct 18, 2006 - 6:17 pm: Cp...I think I was more surprised than offended because no one has ever mentioned any of these behaviors to me before and he has always been so content in his stall and I feel bad if he is not now. I have worked hard to make sure he is comfortable, has stall toys he loves!He is one of the most docile horses I have ever met. He plays with his stall toys and treat dispensers. I have never seen such behavior from him. Then again, his last stall in Minot was fort knox and he could not see any horse to miss. These are beautiful and open and he can literally see his turnout and the one buddy that stays out all the time through his nice big picture window so I can't really say I blame him. They do shut the windows in the inclement weather and will for the winter so I think he will settle down but he has not so much as made one call to anyone or walked circles or romped in my presence. It's as if he knows Mama is watching. Little bugger! Plus he has lots of company when he is in, there is chicken who lays her egg in his feeder daily, and baby chicks that stay in there and the dogs often sleep in there with him if the guards are up and the doors not closed. I think he is a bit spoiled now with his lavish accommodations. Gosh forbid he is alone for one second. But once again....he won't exhibit these actions in front of me. He was in for a few hours while I was there with him the other day because I was hot packing his wound and he just stood there, almost fell asleep. So it's just suprising..... |
Member: Dtranch |
Posted on Thursday, Oct 19, 2006 - 7:53 am: You sure that was a dictionary Erika?DT |
Member: Banthony |
Posted on Thursday, Oct 19, 2006 - 9:22 am: Corinne, I had a barn manager mention to me one day that my horse behaved completely differently when I wasn't there. That completely surprised me. She told me that he sulked in his stall and wouldn't interact with anyone. When I was there he was friendly and gregarious.I am around him all the time now and he is also mischievous!@ |