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T O P I C R E V I E W
jo78
Posted - 31 Oct 2009 : 7:55:58 PM I dont know if anyone can give me any advice on how to deal with my mares seperation anxiety?
I only got her this year so its still a relativley new relationship. At first she got unhealthy attatchment to a mare in her field to the point of she was dangerous to be in the field with, she would gallop at you ears back, baring teeth etc. So we moved her into her own paddock(she still has horses either side of her, and can still see this other mare) this worked fine, i can bring her onto yard without her stressing and panicking and i can catch her.
She has been off work for a little while, due to having back issues(which is now sorted)and having teeth done. So last week i bring her up yard and tack up(she was good)until another person brought her horse on the yard too, then took it away again, and She just went mental! Rearing, spinning, just completley panick stricken! So in the end i didnt get on her, some people would have said i should have got on and rode through it, yet others say i done the right thing as didnt want to have negative riding experience first time getting back on.
The next day i tried again and there was another horse on yard so i asked owner if they would leave their horse on yard while i tack up and get on, which i did, and she was great! I only stayed on for 5 mins, but her behaviour was great!
Today all horses came in for the morning due to a shoot on the land, which was fine, until it came to putting out again, because all the usual herds wernt out when she was first put out she went mental! Absolute flat out galloping around her field, at break neck speed, she just lost the plot, and i really thought she was going to try and jump out of her field and kill herself! But after quickly getting the others out she chilled out and was fine. But was a lathered mess.
I just wondered if anyone has had any similar issues and could advise me how to deal with this?
3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First)
Fee
Posted - 02 Nov 2009 : 01:51:07 AM Hi Jo,
I think you've hit the nail with a few things i.e she is green, new(ish) relationship with you and she's had some time off will all cause and/or exacerbate a 'herd bound' horse. Is your mare dominant with other horses? I always find it interesting that it's often the leaders or dominant of the herd who seem so brave, are actually the most traumatised when left alone! I guess it's because they have no herd to dominate and their role is gone?
I think everything you've done so far is correct and good and I would now work on developing your relationship, especially work on being her leader as she is insecure and green. Then when you meet something or she finds herself in a situation she will increasingly become calm and brave with everything as she has her leader there. Also, you will build the skills to divert her attention and get her focused on you when and if she gets uptight. Little and often is the key
I would also check out the Parelli site under problems and 'herd bound', you'll get a few ideas there.
Please ignore what you already do and know and I hope that maybe helps some
Fee x
jo78
Posted - 01 Nov 2009 : 6:28:30 PM Lol, yes there always is something to worry about! You crack one thing, to find yourself faced with another!
She is 11 years old, but in my opinion still quite green for her age!
I really appreciate your advice and thankyou!
joanna_piana
Posted - 01 Nov 2009 : 5:51:49 PM Hi Jo How old is she? Still quite young? Sometimes I think they take much longer to settle into a new home than we think. Outwardly all appears fine but they are clearly still feeling insecure. When I first got Ishara she seemed fine and dandy but one day I turned her out first as usual previously no problem but this particular day went completely mental jumped out the field jumped another gate, went through a fence it was awful! Anyway after that I always made sure another horse was turned out first and generally did everything to avoid any situations where she might react. She can't be the last one left to bring in from her field either as sometimes she will go loopy although sometimes she is fine, depends on her mood.
Have you got someone that could be with you when you ride so she's tacked up with another horse there and perhaps ride out together. You might find that once she's secure where she is and has built a better bond with you that she'll grow out of it. Ishara can be very fractious when I bring her in if noone else is on the yard and will be a pain to tack up as won't stand still but once i'm on her back she is good as gold. Don't you just love them always giving us something to worry about.
I guess it's because they have no herd to dominate and their role is gone?
situation she will increasingly become calm and brave with everything as she has her leader there. Also, you will build the skills to divert her attention and get her focused on you when and if she gets uptight. Little and often is the key 
