| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 7:17:26 PM
Any ideas we have tried a lot of them, a mare of my friends is very unsettled when in she walks round and round and round.
She is out all day though needs to come in at night due to being on her own.
She never holds any weight on due to not keeping still, tried mirrors, tied odjects from ceiling. its so hard to watch her.
She will try anything to help.
Any Other Ideas.
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| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| pinkvboots |
Posted - 21 Dec 2009 : 3:44:46 PM
I used to work with an Arab that box walked, he also would have a track around the edge of the stable and the bed was awful. I moved my mare to another stable and asked the girl who owned him if she wanted to go in my old box which used to face the whole yard and the road was to the right, he was in a row of stables with the road behind him and was facing a large hedge not much of a view. F
rom the night we moved him he hardly ever did it again I think where they are stabled has a real impact on the box walking I think making a large window on a side which has a very good view or in a stable where she can touch other horses may help or agree with a few others leave her out.
I used to work at a place with stalls they where similar to how the Queen stables her horses, they look at the wall with a rope through a ring with a weight at the end so they can lie down, very easy to muck out but I think she might panic is she cant move round at all. |
| Oregana |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 11:31:00 PM
My old mare Emmie was never a true box walker, but she would pace around a bit as not entirely happy being shut in. She made friends with a shetland and even though the stable was fairly small, I used to put them in together and it worked absolutely great. Sadly my shettie died young and Emmie is not happy in, so lives out. Even tried the shettie's daughter with her, but she had to keep ducking out of the way! The weather is so cold and she is 27yrs so has starting coming in these last few nights. This might be a bit drastic and you may not be able to do this, but we recently took out the partition between two stables and replaced it with two rails, so it's just like a fence between two horses. Worth a try if you can do it. It makes the space appear a lot bigger as well. Personally, I think they need company and a big space which cuts down the stress, but I suppose they are all different. |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 11:05:53 PM
Thank you everyone for your comments, i can only try and do my best for her god knows what her stable will be like in the morning, many of you had given me some good ideas and advice.
I personnally think that box walkers are incurable, don't you think it all comes down to being stressed for some reason.
its very sad when my other horses are so happy and content.
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| barbara.gregory |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 10:34:27 PM
I had a mare on loan who box walked if she was stessed or ran out of hay. If anything different happened she did it. Her foal took no notice of her walking; he had the most fabuloud laid back temperament. On bonfire night I couldn't hold her she was so stressed; she was literally almost running round her box. The foal stood at the door watching the fireworks, he was fascinated and not in the least worried about mum being stressed. He grew up totally laid back and with the most wonderful temperament.
I had a stallion who used to pace the front of his box and I cured that by putting a haynet just outside the stable door so he would stand and eat that and look out instead of pacing.
However, real box walkers are nearly impossible to cure, it becomes such an ingrained habit. I would never want one as they are so messy in their stable and seeing the constant walking is very upsetting.
Barbara |
| Delyth |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 7:27:02 PM
I've bred from my mare. I made sure she had a nice late foal so she was out with it. As soon as it was time to come back in ie Autumn/Winter I weaned so she didn't see her mum do it and copy her and for it to become a habit. All was well and baby is fine. I would never have stabled her with baby though and if I couldn't have avoided it I would've considered tying her up. I often wonder if I did tie her up/stall her whether I could break the habit ?? She's got a grill, a window, a view, a companion but still she does it. I bred her mum and had her mother too and they didn't do it - it really is very hard to deal with....I feel for you :( |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:31:04 PM
I have thought about mentioning it to my friend and put her in foal next year, the thought of knocking her foal out the way or like you say she might love it and be the best for her.
for now i will make a window, can you buy these grills at tack shops never seen them i will google them see what comes up. |
| moatside |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:27:59 PM
I sympathise!! My Sec C mare is very stressy when she is first in and if she is last out - she does settle when all are in. She used to box walk and I ended up putting a big grill between her and the next pony - it has helped as she now just dances on the spot with impatience!! Good luck. |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:24:07 PM
If she had a foal ,she wouldnt , because she has her little peice of heaven right there with her  |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:21:34 PM
Also has anybody bred a foal from a mare who box walks, i wonder if the foal would do it as well. It really is awful for her, i just want her to come in and tuck in to her hay net til morning.
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| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:17:39 PM
I think you should seriously consider a window with a grill  , my handyman cut windows through to all the horses stables and they are just so happy looking at each other all night I would worry about a small stall as she could get down and not be able to get back up again, also no to putting anything else in with her,! but a small friend next door would be ideal a sheti wouldnt cost much to keep and you would be killing two birds with one stone and giving a much needed home to one  |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 6:09:41 PM
Thank you for all your help, I brought her to my place yesterday its better than were she was, well this morning i have never seen a bed like it, i put clean shaving down last night made it all nice for her, my god it was black this morning and a track were she had walked all night. she has three other horses in a stable block with her.
we made a stall this afternoon enough room to lie down in and she still does it. I think the only way she wouldn't do it if she can't move at all, i coundn't do that to her.
Maybe she is claustrophobic is there any treatment from my vet i wonder, I have even thought about a small friend with her in the same stable however it is another to look after and i don't need anymore this time of year. I would be a bit afraid to put something smaller in as she would knock it over.
I think a window is my next step for her so she can see through to the next horse i do feel as though its a companion problem.
When she was left out alone she screamed all night so thats why she has to come in.
I have never had a horse that does this when you watch them it drives you mad.. |
| Daisywoo |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 5:16:58 PM
My horse was similar when in the stable and we now think this was
due to claustrophobia as with access to an outside area it has completely stopped. |
| Delyth |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 3:19:50 PM
If any of the above work please let me know I've tried everything. Even in a coral/open barn of 60' x 25' with friend/s and she does it :( |
| Gerri |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 2:03:14 PM
Hi, I once had a TB who was exactly the same, and we gave her a shelter that opened onto a tiny paddock so that she could come in and out as she chose, it worked wonders, I don't know why but just the fact she could go in and out as SHE chose made all the difference, it was really hard when it was blowing a gale and snowing or torrential rain with high winds, but she was soooo much better and even put on weight, just thought I would tell you it might help |
| ella |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 1:53:29 PM
A different stable is your best option. Horses feel safest when they can see out in all directions. Have you got somewhere to put her with more views? A sheep pen or similar rigged up in an open barn would be better than a 'traditional' stable.
If you take steps to prevent the walking she will just find some other way to relieve her stress which could be far more harmful or destructive. |
| sab2 |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 12:50:03 PM
I have a mare who hates being in so we leave her out 24/7 she is well rugged up and has sheep,donkeys and another horse for company and she is much happier.I used to get upset watching her now she is so happy bless her, the only drawback is stopping her from getting mudfever but so far we have managed ok. Hope you get your girl sorted out , good luck |
| Goldenmane |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 12:00:24 PM
She might be better left out on her own, loads of hay, agree with Roseanne. Personally, I'm claustrophobic, hate being shut in. |
| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 11:43:47 AM
I think this would not cure the problem just make her more stressed , I think she needs to have her stress addressed . an unhappy horse will not be made happy by adding to her unhappiness |
| aarque |
Posted - 20 Dec 2009 : 11:35:43 AM
Many years ago when i had SHAHPOOR he done the same,when he went to The Jones Family,I believe i am wright in think Emrys put down car tyres laid flat over the stable floor,this cured the problem.
Regards,
Dennis Tyzack |
| Roseanne |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 11:20:14 PM
If she's OK out alone in the day, might she be better out alone in the night (or have I misunderstood when she is/isn't alone)?
I have a claustrophobic boy and he would be a wreck if I insisted on him being kept in - particularly alone.
I think some horses just need to be in natural surroundings rather than closed in.
I hope you get it sorted as it must be worrying you terribly. Good luck. |
| geegee |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 10:24:01 PM
Hi,
I don't think that I would recommend a stall in this instance. The fact that she is box walking would indicate that she isn't happy about being shut in. To create an even smaller space would be mentally challenging for the mare.
A talk grill between stables would be a good idea. If you have tried mirrors then it isn't necessarily about her not having company, she could be claustrophobic. Putting in grills at the sides and/or back of the stable would make her feel less shut in.
I don't know of your stable situation but is there anyway of fixing up a corral bit outside the stable so that you can leave her door open for her?
It can't be nice seeing her so unhappy in her stable...
Keep us posted  |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 10:16:39 PM
If you could give her a smaller space (still room to lie down and get up/down safely) and friends always in her sightline you should be able to cure it with strict routine etc. If you have a big enough box you could make timber and mesh partition to split it into 2 smaller boxes and see how she is with that. Make it more permanent if it works.
Ours were 3 stalls with sliding tie-ups/tethers. Approx 12ft wide. A walkway at the back and all grille/mesh. Rubber mats and straw beds. They could see others, touch noses over the partitions and the stalls faced onto other boxes too. Hayracks in all the corners so the horses shared a lot. The sounds of other horses chewing and snoring is very soothing
I have a gelding who can still get a bit fidgety if he feels wound up but put him in a smaller, but airy box, and he's happy as larry. Come to think of it, our stalls were in main barn with a very very high ceiling so that may have helped. |
| rasaljadi |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 9:52:00 PM
Hi, When you say a stall do you mean enough room to lie down or is it for standing only, i think that would work, also the window idea is good i think it is a company thing with her.
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| LYNDILOU |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 7:52:04 PM
Could she be put in a stable next to a friend with a window so they can see each other? I know not all stables have them , but its worth making a window with a grid if possible, then tie her hay net next to the window, that should keep her in one place for a while . sorry I cant think of anything else , but she is obviously unhappy about something . |
| Mrs Vlacq |
Posted - 19 Dec 2009 : 7:49:48 PM
Could you stall her if she's only in overnight? Safely tied up in a snug stall, nose to a wall (or so she can see another horse through a grille)?? We've stalled some over the years (due to lack of space more htan anything) and they still curl up in their beds once they get the hang of it |
