Comments on: Separation anxiety in horses

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:12:08 +0000

flight to ask everybody’s opinion on what age should you start breaking in your horse I am located in northern Quebec Canada and a lot of people here breaking news horses at 2 year old and some people wait to 4 years old I would appreciate your comments sincerely Mike by the way I think it’s great to talk to people all over the world with horses it doesn’t matter if you live in South Africa Canada or the United States how Europe horses are all the same wherever you are

By: Michael

Michael — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 13:02:19 +0000

hello my name is Michael I live in northern Quebec Canada I had a similar problem owning three different horses to standardbreds and a thoroughbred I try to ride everyday when the weather permits but over the winter it is a little bit difficult so when did you get a chance to ride I only can take out one horse at a time so the two other horses freak out and run up and down the fence line wanting to follow now it’s gotten to a point that the horse to see what settle I have in my hands and they know who is coming out and soon as they figure that out the two other horses are aggressive between each other I think it’s because of jealousy so sometimes I will ride one and pony another beside me seems to help

By: jeanette

jeanette — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 01:49:24 +0000

Hi everyone I’ve got a tb her name is ezy xracer I also at the ripe old age of 60 she is my first horse I’ve been riding for most of my life and I have a back problem so I have been doing exercises to build up my mussels so that I can ride again and thanks to the back Institute in America they have helped me achieve this now I’m ready to ride her I’m so excited about this I have been following your advice and I want to thank you and everyone its a great web sitekindest regards jeanette from Australia

By: Melanie

Melanie — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 16:20:59 +0000

I am 52+, first time horse owner, but volunteered past 5 yrs. at Rocky Mountain Horse Rescue (RMHR). I started in May, 2014 with a Mare and a one-eyed Pony who would whine and run like crazy in the stall each time I took the Mare out to ride. I switched the Pony for a Mini through RMHR and although the Mini whines a little as I’m leaving with the Mare, it is not as loud and she can stand to run around alittle as she’s over weight. The Mare whines a few times as we leave the stall to go across the street the ride, but the more I take her out and separate them, the better she bonds with me. I hear a goat is a good companion too. Less work and less trouble dealing with two horses no matter what size they are. My Mare is also eating a lot but always looks skinny in the ribs, so I’m just now giving her Equipride Minerals because she’s a senior now.

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 13 May 2014 17:46:52 +0000

I have a 3yr old stallion which can not be gelded,
(i know – don’t say it.) I found this out when I had the first horse – my first very first horse, brought when he was still in the womb –
I had him gelded at 2yr and they had to put him down an hour later – heartbroken and feeling guilty and devastated – I was given his little brother who was 4mos and then was told the older, older brother also died from gelding. The vet suggested that I not geld this one. So he has been trained from day one. HE is a curly horse, very obedient, loving, smart, faily calm, likes to
learn words, just a wonderful horse – all the neighbors love him. But I know he is a stallion and that makes me a bit cautious (which to me is smarter) I recently was giving a beautiful bombproof 14yr quarter horse – he is like a dream horse, such a blessing to have him. well him and my horse seem to get along until I walk up and then they start sparing – of course I give my attention first -and the minute I do that he looks at the quarter horse like “see she loves me more” laugh. But I have a hard time taking the quarter horse out cause my horse throws a whinny tantrum and because he is a stallion I don’t want to overly upset him. HE has a pony buddy that has been with him since the day he was born. and when my horse goes out with the trainer he is just happy as a jaybird and the other horses stay quite. I think with him it may be a herd thing.
just a note to first time owners – curly horses are probably one of the calmest, smartest and easiest horses to train – I am talking about American Curlies not the bashir kind. If you don’t mind the fluffy hypoallergic hair – it’s great horse for a first time owner and they are a bittougher than regualar horses too.(off-shoots out of mustangs). Nothing but a gelding could take out my first horse still miss him, but his little bro is just as impressive as he was.
Turns out some horses are not born with an O ring
and if gelded will herniate – there is no saving a
horse that herniates after gelding – It’s a rare thing – but I end up with two rarities, and they both had/have blue eyes – this is not a factor, because the olderst brother who was sold and gelded at 12 months was just a normal brown – so it’s in the genes of the parents. Who are not being bred anymore, sire was gelded and mare was sold by the breeder.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:53:16 +0000

In reply to kelly. Read an article not long ago that horses that crib, weave, or pace as you say your horse is doing, isn't always out of a habit they develop. Vets doing studies recently have come to believe this is most often due to some neurological imbalance. Possibly this is what is going on with your horse. If so, you'll likely just have to live with her pacing, as the Vets in the study I'd read, had no answers as to what, if anything can be done to stop these annoying habits some horses acquire.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:48:08 +0000

In reply to Joan Anderson. Just a guess, not knowing your horse, but I'd have to say, your horse is going to appreciate the companion. They love their human caretakers when they're kind and loving with them. But horses are herd animals by nature and need like companions to maintain their maximum physical and mental health. Good Luck with the introduction of the new addition.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 07 May 2014 15:43:55 +0000

In reply to Jane. Hi Jane, I've found that most horses do respond favorably to singing and even a radio in the barn. I'd have to say, yes. That the horse you mention, liked the singing very much and therefore likes you too!

By: Allan Valentine

Allan Valentine — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 14:27:40 +0000

In reply to Christine Kozlowski.

Hi Christine:
Clydesdale usually are not ridden until 3, so give him time, work on groundwork, and don’t push his young bones for a little while longer. The more the groundwork, the more polite the horse anyway! 🙂 and give him play time! get a ball, or something to be a fun plaything and let him have tons of play time with you! Then he will learn to love seeing u come to the corral with halter in hand! 🙂 all animals love play time 🙂

Allan

By: Allan Valentine

Allan Valentine — Sun, 20 Apr 2014 14:25:21 +0000

Hi,
We obtained two horses, a 5 year old arab/qh gelding and his mother, a club foot qh mare, which could not be riden but we took her so she did not get sold to slaughter. However, Bailey , the gelding, had never been away from mom!
I did exactly what you described. As long as I rode the gelding, I could take him out alone. BUT a lesser rider could not! What could I do to make him comfortable with someone who was not alpha in the herd as he saw me? He had no issue leaving mom, even though she whinnied her head off as we rode off, he did whatever I asked. So, I began by having a novice rider walk him out, when the gelding began dragging her back, I would step out into the path, and stop him with a hand in the air, and telling him WHOA! He would stop., I would stroke his nose, which he loved and carrot treat him. Doing this multiple days, multiple times a day, eventually he allowed anyone to ride him away. And mom died sadly when she was 23, and he now could care less who is in the corral, the mares I own now beat him up anyway, so he is grateful for time away from them bully females! LOL
Al, good luck, keep trying., that is soo important, because it doesnt seem to work quickly, do not give up!!! Persistance with horses is a vital attribute!