Herdboud issues.

[hold_onhope]

I looked through some of the entries in the herdbound and behavioral issues tags, but I couldn't find anything specific to my mare's herdbound attitude, hopefully you guys have some advice

Comments

[wastedrock]

If she's really as bad as she sounds, I'd do a crash course in me being your only friend in the world :p
I'd keep her turned in for a week or so, maybe some turnout in a paddock to get the extra crazy out before I rode, or while i'm doing barn chores. But, and this may be harsh, but it's worked on exremely herd bound horses, I'd be her ONLY friend. She's not allowed to play, or be out with other horses. I'd work with her as much as you can manage during this week, grooming, groundwork, riding, hand grazing, feeding. Be her source of comfort, her boss, and her only friend. Once you are these things to her, regaurdless of wether other horses are around or not, then she can go back out.
But if she starts getting herd bound again, just cut it off before it gets worse by one long training day.

It should help her focus on YOU and she'll be easier to manage in the future if it flares up again.

[hold_onhope]

Thanks, I'll keep this in mind. I'd have to speak with my barn manager about it, since there's not much room for individual turnout. (I'm a firm believer that no horse should be kept in a stall unless absolutely necessary.) I may be able to get her in a paddock on the other side of the barn though, away from the others. Thing is, this happened once at an old barn of mine, and she ran like a psycho back and forth in front of the gate all day long, and this lasted for about three days before I put my foot down and put her within sight of the others. Maybe that is what needs to happen, though?

[hold_onhope]

Thanks for the info. I'll definitely have to see what my BM says. I guess she'll just have to deal with it for a while. I wish my barn was closer, because I'm sure it would help if I could be the one turning her out and bringing her in to eat, etc. but ugh, that's just not possible. Still, thanks again, I'll have to see what I can do.

[wastedrock]

yeah It would need to be longer than 3 days to do any lasting work, and the whole idea of this is not just seperation of horses from her, but YOU being her friend, her only source of, everything in the world. If you work with her enough in this time it should be good.

I don't believe in keeping horses stalled for longer than needed, but this sounds needed :p

[eggb4thechicken]

I had a problem horse that we sent away to get re-schooled and sold on (to the right owner) and the first thing they did was keep him in 24/7. Went in a horse walker couple times a day, ridden twice. Totally sorted him out, but his problem wasn't that he was herd bound, he was just a nutter. lol He knew we were knew to horse ownership. :P

[hold_onhope]

Hmmm. It doesn't make me happy, but I might have to give it a try, just for a week or so. I'm afraid being cooped up will only make her even more stir-crazy... before I bought her she was only ever turned out a few hours a week, and as soon as she started getting daily turnout she was a much, much happier horse. Maybe I can find compromise somehow...

[eggb4thechicken]

You could try just cutting down her hours out. We only put our horses out for 2/3 hours a day. Firstly to keep their weight down, the grass is incredibly good around her, and secondly it keeps them controlled. We tried putting them out 24/7 once, absolute nightmare! lol

[hold_onhope]

I'd probably end up having to pay more money if I did that, but I can always try to make it out there and bring her in myself. It's hard because my work schedule changes a lot. I'll just have a talk with my BM and see what she thinks the best option is.