How can i get my horse to be a little less.....?

Question

herd dependant? i mean i know horses feel more comfortable in groups but my lord! she wont to anything by herself! i took her out to groom her the other day and she went ballistic!!! neighing and pawing and looking for the others,and riding alone, thats out of the question! she'll lead the trail ride but she keeps a close eye on the horses behind her.i put her in a pen by herself one time (because we werent going to ride her that day, we were riding the others) and she lost it within 2 minutes! she tore down the fence and ran after us! shes completely unhandlable if no other horses are in her sight.i would like to do parelli but she wouldnt. she doesnt want to learn anything new, she just wants to eat and be with other horses. she has no interest in human contact unless your feeding her or bringing her something.

Answer 1

http://www.kersur.net/~santa/herd.html

i read this. john lyons wrote it and i would defiantly read it for your sake. i don't want her to become to out of control she will hurt someone in the process.  I've never delt with it before so i would just read this. sorry

Answer 2

I actually had to give up on a situation with one of my geldings years ago.  He became so buddy sour with a mare that he was jumping fences and running across the road to get to her and no amount of training could fix it.  I finally moved him to another stable.  It was only that mare that it ever happened with, in his case.

Answer 3

this is a serious problem, but easily fixed.

i suggest seprating her, and teaching her that its ok to be alone.  start with a little bit of time every day away from other horses. this takes a lot of patience, especially if she freaks when she is even being groomed.

how i would do it, is take her to the pen, put her on a long lead, and give her a good personal workout. get that gal running! after wards give her a good bath, small treat, and turn her out with the rest. if there is no problems with doing only work....your on your way. do this again every day for about a week, she will get used to spending time with you, and fall into a routine. then start doing the same thing, but while the other horses are away. next step, eliminate the work while the others are away. the key is to be with her, and reward her when she behaves. gradually...this might just do it.

i also suggest consulting your vet, farrier, and anyone you know who breaks horses. especially those who train yours....they will know the horse best, and be able to help you solve this quickly. just make sure there is no abuse towards the animal at all, that can make her more dependant on the herd because she feels safer with them.

Answer 4

Each day spend a little time with her away from the other horses. Then, gradually leave her alone in a pen. The key word is gradually.... You have to get her used to being alone.

Answer 5

Get her on a lunge line, and work her hard near the other horses.  Work her until she is ready to drop.  Then, lead her away and let her rest.  Groom her, pet her, praise her, give her treats.  As soon as she starts to get nervous, lead her back and work her.  Then lead her away and let her rest.  Repeat.  Every day, do it, and every day, lead her farther and farther away when she rests. This will accomplish two things.  One, she will trust you more and respect you more, therefore bonding to you and not the other horses, and two, she will learn that being near the other horses isn't as much fun as she previously thought.  

Good luck!