I have owned a 3 year old called Jabbar for 10 weeks now. He is so sweet and very obliging in most things. We are doing bits of groundwork, obstacle courses and generally spending time building a bond. I am just using common sense and the patience game. However one thing we are struggling with is separation anxiety. He will panic when left in the field even for a couple of minutes and will even panic if left with another horse if I take my other arab Pip away from him. If I put him in the stable he is fine. I did some research and many trainers say not to force the issue as the more confident they become and the older they get being happy on their own will be a natural progression. Others say to do short stints and gradually increase the time spent apart. My worry is the ground is far too hard for running the field at the moment and I don't want an avoidable accident. On the other hand if I don't address the issue, hoping he will gradually grow out of it will I be making a bigger problem further down the line if he can never be left. Just to add he has never been on his own in his life. Thank you in advance for any help and advice.
Is he in a field with Pip only or with other horses as well? he might have bonded with Pip but shouldn't really panic if there are other horses unless he doesn't know them.If Pip is his only herd mate then I'm not sure he can overcome the problem.No horse likes to be on his own, some will put up with it quite well, some won't.Does he "resign" after a while or does he keep panicking until you bring Pip back? By the way...
He is just with Pip at the moment as our grass is very sparse due to the weather, but he is usually with another 2 horses. When I took Pip away he had the others with him and also when he has been with just Pip he is surrounded by other horses in the adjoining fields. He will run in the field until he sees Pip then he will stop so I wait nearby until he is calmly grazing then I return Pip to the field. I have done this so as not to reward him for the panic but rewarding the calm behaviour.
I will have to ask hubby about posting pics as they are beyond my IT capabilities!
It is natural as a prey animal to be with others.. less chance of getting eaten, it could be one of your neighbours instead of you.. alone you are the only choice
first time youngster owner!
Posted - 03 Jul 2018 : 09:05:09 AM
