Separation Anxiety........... Jen?

[Cheryl Walmsley]

Sherb is only in with one mare now, he's stabled with her and turned out with her so they very rarely leave each other. Obviously, when they do, they can get a bit upset. Also, his last girlfriend can hear him shouting from the bottom yard and that makes things worse because she shouts back so he has his two best girls to worry about at the same time then!!

Would you accept it as horse nature and just leave him alone and only work him when they are together, or, would you separate them more often and try to get them better at doing it without such a fuss?? I know that now is probably not the time for me to start worrying about this but whilst I'm trying to work with him I don't want Megan to have to stand around so it would be good if she coud take Hatty for a little ride whilst I do some stuff with Sherb. Thanks

[Cheryl Walmsley]

hellloooooo

[jen1]

having seen your set up now, id work him in the field with/near Hatty near him for now, until the first little bit of confidence can be gained, or at least this is what we do and its worked so far,
the things we left you with were all we could do in the situation, (pyramids remember) i would see if maybe you and Megan could work a bit together just playing really by walking them away from each other and then returning even if for now its just round the gap you were on about so they leave the field and rejoin it , i cant say what would work for sure there no hard and fast rules to adhere to its really depends on the feed back your getting from sherbs,
if he is OK to walk away from Hatty great! and even better if he will walk round the other field and be happy to rejoin her in the field we were in, theres also a plus in getting him OK with being caught and being people friendly, or to make people be more friendly to him and less fearful , he maybe allowed back onto the main yard , i feel he still has quite a bit of growing up to do demons to shed , he is a very sensitive soul who needs you to be able to read his feedback what works will become apparent what dunt! he will let you know,

anyhow if it isn't possible to work with Megan leave Hatty where she is and practice your homework and lead him a few steps away and back again, i say a few steps as i have an inkling he would resist, and you don't need a battle to get your self in these situations now would be like a noose! so imagine this,

Hatty and sherbs are in the field you have managed to catch him perfectly, now ask him to walk away a few steps and back, next time a few more steps and back, getting a bit further each time, just to the very edge of his comfort zone watch him like a hawk don't dwell on it too long keep sessions short, if Hatty goes off on a ride either try him on the long lines to follow, or take him to the main yard if thats possible, id try not to stable him, if its possible, like i said what works will work, he needs a mummy Billie to sort him out,lol

PS it would be very easy to modify sherbs but i have no doubt by covering cracks like that they would inevitably appear in some other area, he is a stressed out baby yes i know he is nearly 6, welshy on speed,lol clicker training isn't something i have done a huge amount on but it isn't rocket science maybe to simply stay with him and play would reap some benefits, give it all a whirl and see, his mind was very occupied and his focus was high when we were there and he seemed very chilled by the end of it, he is one smart pony

[Cheryl Walmsley]

thanks jen x

ok, I did find he was easier to deal with in the field once I had caught him today and we played a bit before we came in, so I'lll change the game plan for tomorrow then, we can have a play with both horses in the field with little separations and then if meg wants to ride she can take hatty whilst sherb has his dinns :-)

[jen1]

could you feed him in the school with some company around him? i dont mean in with him just
say like the pony who was in the stable?

[Cheryl Walmsley]

yes, why?

[jen1]

so he isnt in his stable, and he has some kind of company all be in not much and your in a safe penned off area, leave his bedroom for peaice and quiet with hatty