My mare hasn't settled down since i sold all the other horses?

Question

she wasn't with them anyway as she beats everyone up and her paddock was basically out of sight of the others and yet, she hasn't stopped pacing and calling out for almost two days....and no getting her companion isn't an option as she kills anything that goes into her paddock. it's only her now as my brother took his two up to queensland and my sister gave hers to my uncle and he's got the other ones. we need amber here as she's a maniac and my uncle won't have her on his farm. any ideas on how to calm her down..she's not eating either.

Answer 1

she probably has separation anxiety DEFINITELY get her a buddy

Answer 2

Try spending more time with her. If she is completely seperated from other life and companionship, she'll probably get very lonely. If you are close to her, spending more time with your horse will probably help her feel a little less alone. Give her some treats or just stand in her pasture and pet her for awhile. Maybe she'll begin to feel less alone...

Answer 3

shes just missing her buds, even though she didnt have personal relationships with them she still knew of their presence and smells, so she reacting to that being gone. She has very high senses and she should settle down in a week. I thought you did have some goats....oh i see about the "killing thing" what about some pigs in a adjoining paddock that she could see but not kill. other than that no sure what else to recommend.....

Answer 4

One of the mare brought into my rescue was just pulled from her baby, she cried out for a few days.  I just spent a lot of time with her so she focused on me and not looking for her baby.  She was really skinny when brought in and she is finally filling back out, plus she is in foal and i was afraid for her baby.  Give you horse a few she will eat.

Answer 5

She doesn't need a buddy - I think she could use some time in the round pen - or outside riding - Giving her a new job and making her think about what she's doing - rather then what her pasture mates are doing - might help??? You should consider first - ground work - check into some of the great training methods of Clinton Anderson - or Parelli. It's never too late to change bad habits or bad attitudes!  Good luck!

Answer 6

The problem here is not necessarily getting a companion to be in the paddock with her. Her problem is that she's now lost touch with all others of her species, and she doesn't understand it. Your horse has most likely gone her entire life around others of her kind, even if they're not in with her. It's like sticking someone on an island where, although there's another species there caring for you, there's no other humans, and no one really speaks your language.

We tried keeping our thoroughbred gelding on our own property, solo, for a year. He was actually about the same age. After about half an hour outside, he would begin cantering back and forth, whinnying to be let back in as if he was in danger from something. Eventually, he began doing this as soon as we put him out. Our barn cats and dogs were a bit comforting, but not enough. When we eventually moved a year later, he greeting the trailer that transported him (a reliable transport company that already had several horses on it) with little less than pure joy, whinnying to the other horses the whole way.

Still to this day, if his paddock is out of view of other horses or not close enough to them, he begins the running/upset whinnying, to the point where our current barn's owner has thought he was being chased by bees or something.

I cannot think of anything to solve your problem except having another horse somewhere where she can see/hear him/her, even if they have no full contact or access to each other. Horses, even vicious ones that can't be kept with others, are social by nature, and they rely on the presence of their own species for comfort. She feels completely alone, essentially. Is there any way to have another paddock (if you only have one right now) and move one of the horses your family still owns there? Have you tried fencing multiple fencing options to see if one would make "bashing through" them harder to do?

Answer 7

She does need a buddy... is there a paddock right next to hers where she would be able to see it? Even goats can be good horse companions. You could even make her paddock into two paddocks, giving her the bigger of the two if you get her something small, like goats or a mini. Make them about the same if you're getting a pony, horse, or donkey. You never know, maybe she'll eventually warm up to them and they can be pastured together.

Answer 8

A buddy is not what this horse needs.  Since she bashes through fences and apparently doesn't like people either.  Leave her by herself until she calms down.  It may take a couple months or more.  But if she doesn't calm down then you may have some hard choices to make.  There are a LOT of good horses out there that are starving due to prices being at rock bottom.  I won't waste my time on a basket case when I can save a better one.

And sorry redial I do not mean any offense by that or even any advise.  I just wanted to let you know how I see it.

Answer 9

She may finally give up and settle down once she is convinced no one is going to answer her calls.  Two days is still pretty new...if she doesn't settle down after a week, maybe a mild sedative could be given to keep her happier.  Of course, if she won't eat anything at all, you may need to do something sooner.