Post by vikki on Jul 24, 2017 9:34:11 GMT 1
Hello! I used to be a regular poster on this forum many years ago and have found the need to come back and ask for advice from this wonderful, knowledgeable bunch of people, as I'm stumped...
My sister has bought a new horse, she's a 6 yr old thoroghbred mare who hasnt done much, but has been lightly ridden for a couple of years. On viewing (twice), she was sweet natured and willing to please - both on the ground and ridden. My sister is a knowledge horse owner and rider and wanted a nice little project to bring on and thought this horse would be the perfect thing.
Lily had a stressful journey to her new home, being stuck on a broken down lorry for 2 hours, and on arrival was stressed and violently weaving in the stable. She calmed down that night and YO (who can see her stable from the house) said she settled when the yard was quiet and was peacefully munching her hay. This was two weeks ago.
Since then, Lily has become increasingly stressed and unhappy in the stable, to the point my sister now has her out 24/7 (which is no bad thing but obviously the issue still needs to be resolved!) to avoid the horse hurting herself and others. She throws herself around violently in the stable, launching herself around like a horse possessed. The previous owner , who seems genuine, said she would occasional lightly weave if stressed but nothing like this, and hasnt done it for a long time. It doesn't make any difference if others horses are around or not, the only time she settles is if the yard is completely quiet with no movement from people (again confirmed by YO who can see her stable from the house), but the minute she hears a gate open she starts up again.
In the field and away from the stable she is happy and easy to do, regardless of whether she has company or not, and doesnt appear to exhibit any stressful behaviour.
Im struggling the think of a game plan to help... my sister has initially been bringing her in for short periods to try and get her used to the stable environment with low stress, but the horse's reaction is so instant and sudden that it immediately escalates to a point where she doesnt know what to do and just wants to take her away to calm her down. Lily will tie up for short periods of time but if the yard is too busy she will quickly get stressed and pulls back on her tie and breaks away. My sister now feeling out of her depth and doesnt know how to start tackling this incrementally as the horse's behaviour changes so suddenly.
Does anyone have any advice on how she can start getting her comfortable with the stable environment? I just don't know what to suggest at this stage!
We have thought about ulcers possibly occurring from stress of travelling and we are considering whether further veterinary treatment is required for this, but meantime any other help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Vikki
My sister has bought a new horse, she's a 6 yr old thoroghbred mare who hasnt done much, but has been lightly ridden for a couple of years. On viewing (twice), she was sweet natured and willing to please - both on the ground and ridden. My sister is a knowledge horse owner and rider and wanted a nice little project to bring on and thought this horse would be the perfect thing.
Lily had a stressful journey to her new home, being stuck on a broken down lorry for 2 hours, and on arrival was stressed and violently weaving in the stable. She calmed down that night and YO (who can see her stable from the house) said she settled when the yard was quiet and was peacefully munching her hay. This was two weeks ago.
Since then, Lily has become increasingly stressed and unhappy in the stable, to the point my sister now has her out 24/7 (which is no bad thing but obviously the issue still needs to be resolved!) to avoid the horse hurting herself and others. She throws herself around violently in the stable, launching herself around like a horse possessed. The previous owner , who seems genuine, said she would occasional lightly weave if stressed but nothing like this, and hasnt done it for a long time. It doesn't make any difference if others horses are around or not, the only time she settles is if the yard is completely quiet with no movement from people (again confirmed by YO who can see her stable from the house), but the minute she hears a gate open she starts up again.
In the field and away from the stable she is happy and easy to do, regardless of whether she has company or not, and doesnt appear to exhibit any stressful behaviour.
Im struggling the think of a game plan to help... my sister has initially been bringing her in for short periods to try and get her used to the stable environment with low stress, but the horse's reaction is so instant and sudden that it immediately escalates to a point where she doesnt know what to do and just wants to take her away to calm her down. Lily will tie up for short periods of time but if the yard is too busy she will quickly get stressed and pulls back on her tie and breaks away. My sister now feeling out of her depth and doesnt know how to start tackling this incrementally as the horse's behaviour changes so suddenly.
Does anyone have any advice on how she can start getting her comfortable with the stable environment? I just don't know what to suggest at this stage!
We have thought about ulcers possibly occurring from stress of travelling and we are considering whether further veterinary treatment is required for this, but meantime any other help or advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
Vikki
