Why is my horse so dependend on other horses??

Question

i recently got my new horse and he gets on great with my other horse an pony. However when ever i take him out of the field (there al in it together) he starts neighing back to them. it is really annoying he is ok even if he can just see them but if he cant he just wont stop neighing looking for them and being unsettled. Its ok when hes around at home but i cant have him in view of horses the whole time! and he only 'knows' my horses a few days why is he like this??

Answer 1

Horses are herd animals and some of them can be more dependent up the company of the herd than others.  This is NORMAL behavior.  You can help him be better with time, and he is in a new environment -needs a little time to adjust.  Be patient.

Answer 2

Horses are "herd" animals.  It's normal for them to want to be with their herd.  He hasn't had enough time to get to know his new herd, so he's still worried about where he fits in.  Give him more time, a few days isn't enough.  Have you tried some time just grooming him?  It helps the horse calm down when they know you are the leader, the one who will take care of him.  I don't think you've had him long enough for him to know you and you may be asking too much, too quickly. Give him more time to settle in and get to know you and his herd buddies.  It will change.

Answer 3

Maybe he has never had horses around him much before you bought him, he might just be curious, or he just happens to be great with other horses. He'll grow out of it and learn soon enough.

Answer 4

Horses are a herd animal. They find safety in the herd. You need to establish yourself as your horse's herd, then he will feel safe around you. You can only do this by earning his respect though. If you can make his feet move in all directions (front, back, and side to side) you will gain his respect since that is how horses work in herds themselves. Ever see the boss horse of the herd? He is moving all the other horse's feet around (front, back and side to side). If you can move them (instead of them moving you!) then you've got the upper hand and you will become your horse's herd and safety net. Hope that helps!

Answer 5

If you only recently got him, he should settle in a few weeks. He is probable just a little anxious as he is in new surroundings. Give it some time.

In the mean time try to take his mind off the horses and focusing on you. Change pace often and ask him to accept the bit even some collected/extended  trot and canter while out hacking.

Answer 6

He is becoming herd-bound. You should try to separate him from the other horses for longer and longer lengths of time. This should work eventually! Good luck! <3

Answer 7

Horses are hard wired to be herd animals !!!!!!!!!!!!

It is natural!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!...

Answer 8

Horses are herd animals by instinct.  Your horse is a new horse so yes he is afraid the other horses will disappear again.  he does not know their habits so is not sure if they will stay there.  In the wild some herds move around a LOT.

Give your horse a few more days to calm down, this may help.  However I recommend that any new horse owner keep the horse at least a couple weeks separate from the other horses.  Give the new horse that time to bond with you instead of the other horses.

Answer 9

Your horse is herd bound.  It is also called barn sour.  Your horse is just so concerned with his friends and he doesn't want to leave them to go work.  Take him away and then bring him back so he knows that his friends are not going to disappear and leave him, and make sure he knows that he will always come back after you ride or go to a show.

Answer 10

hes just come from another home so hes latched on to the other horses......all you have to do it spend abit more time with it and get its trust..........its only because hes used to his other home.......

with horses the run in a hurd and 1 horse has got to be the boss and the other horses feel save around that 1 horse.........

just give him time to settle in

hope this helps

Answer 11

horses are indeed herd animals. they prefer to be together with all their friends. This can turn rather ugly, really quick. a horse that's overly dependant on their herd can get aggravated when not with them. they become pushy and unco-operative to your requests.

i have a tennessee walking horse gelding that does this. he gets all wierded out when he's not with his "girls" [my three other mares in which he's pastured with] and tends to shove his handlers around whenever he's not with them. it's rather annoying, as we let this matter get well out of hand due to the small amount of time i had to work with him.

the best thing you could do for this is to seperate him from the herd. Stall him for several days away from them, where he wouldnt be able to see the other horses. of course make it enjoyable, spending as much time as you can with him, as he's going to get all wierd without the others. it's much like weaning a foal from it's mother's side. if he's the type to be extremely clingy to even just one horse, i'd suggest pasturing him alone, where he can greet the others over a fence but not be with them constantly.

hope this helps =]