rwtag

Meet the Moderators

Meet the Moderators of these forums

Meet the Experts

Meet the Experts in these forums

Presently, there are no Experts to meet.

Your Horse Forum and Community

Search Forums

Keywords

Got something to say?

Got something to say?

You are in... Forums > Welcome To Your Horse Forum > The Yard > HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Go to most recent reply

Lilliput

Joined:

Jul 11

Posts: 4

Lilliput says:

HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

My horse shares a field with another horse and she has never been alone.  The other horse is going away this evening for 24 hours to be in a show.  What can I do to help my horse cope?  Should I put her in the stable or leave her in the field? Should I pack up my sleeping bag and spend the night with her?  Help please!

Attached images:

  1. 419700_133101406810367_100003315249960_145732_514210819_n  

Reply to this Topic 

 
  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 09:20)
greyandbay

Joined:

Mar 10

Posts: 2944

greyandbay says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

What's her usual routine? If she normally stays out, then I'd leave her out, if she's stabled at night, then stable her, so that at least she knows that some things do stay the same.

Would you be able to get out shopping today and buy a calmer? If so then that will probably help, or try to contact your vet if you think she'll be really freaked out.

The other thing would be to ask someone with a horse she knows if you could maybe 'borrow' them for a day as a companion.

It may be a lovely night for camping out but you'd get very little sleep, lol !! Also if you're a bit nervous of her reactions, she may well sense what you're feeling and therefore be even more stressed about about being left on her own.

Can't think of anything else, but I hope she'll be ok - she may surprise you and be not bothered at all.

 

The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man - Winston Churchill

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 09:44)
KTloveshorses

Joined:

Apr 10

Posts: 23

KTloveshorses says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Yeah I would keep her in her usual routine, but also maybe think about a calmer. I have used the shot ones from NAF, I found them very helpful they really worked for my mare who is known to get quite anxious when on her own. Another thing I do with her is take her out on her own quite regularly and I sometimes put her in the field on her own for a day or two just so that she gets to know that she will be okay, however this may take some time as they are naturally herd animals.

Hope this helps

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 10:33)
Lilliput

Joined:

Jul 11

Posts: 4

Lilliput says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Thanks for your thoughts, I will keep her out tonight as that is what she is used to and there are other horses in nearby fields.  I read this too late to go and buy a calmer, but next time I will.  I had not thought of that.  Unfortunately I don't know anyone well enough to borrow a horse, although it had crossed my mind and I think next time, with more warning, I might speak to the riding stables or something.  My plan is to take her for  a hack now, then settle her down with her tea and then return to the field at first light.  I might pop down before I go to bed too, but not sure if this will seem strange to her?

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 16:57)
Lilliput

Joined:

Jul 11

Posts: 4

Lilliput says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Have just rung local feed store, but they don't stock calmers.  So wish I'd checked your messages earlier on!

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 17:03)
kevinhiatt

Joined:

Aug 10

Posts: 5172

kevinhiatt says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

I always carry sedalin or 200C Aconite which does do the job but as you know things happen when the shops are closed, at the yard I am at known for my range of lotions and potions told as much as in a chemist. 

Gypsy Gold does not chink & glitter.It gleams in the sun and neighs in the dark.Tonka & Lara my beautiful horses RIP, Nelson & Chloe the cats.

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 364 days ago (26 May 2012 19:10)
oldmare

Joined:

Jul 09

Posts: 1180

oldmare says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

mine is on her own in a small field adjacent to the stable yard as our grass is so thick and she's prone to laminitis so can't risk her yet in the field where her herd is.  she's  not stressed at all.   your probably worrying more than she is and you'll find when you go to her tomorrow she's been fine.

you never choose the horse, the horse chooses you

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 363 days ago (26 May 2012 21:43)
greyandbay

Joined:

Mar 10

Posts: 2944

greyandbay says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Hope she was ok last night and wasn't too upset - let us know how it went, please :o)

The outside of a horse is good for the inside of a man - Winston Churchill

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 363 days ago (27 May 2012 13:18)
Lilliput

Joined:

Jul 11

Posts: 4

Lilliput says:

Re: HELP! How can I help my mare to cope with a night alone tonight?

Thanks for everyone's help yesterday.  Would have replied earlier today, but internet was not playing ball.  It was an eventful night!  I went down at midnight to see how things were and it was raining really heavily, which I'm sure didn't help, but me going down with a headtorch was clearly not a good idea and Lilli got really upset and charged through the electric rope that divides the field (I had switched it off on my arrival).  At this point I was really anxious, wondering what was best to do.  In the end I decided to make sure that the field and gate were a secure as possible and leave well alone....

This was the right thing to do, as when I returned at 5am (this time having the sense to make sure she couldn't actually see me) she was happily munching.  I returned again at 9am and we went for a short, quiet hack.  Lilli was subdued I would say and worn out and above all really really hungry!  She seemed to enjoy the diversion though and returned to the field peacefully.  I'm going to see her again in a little while, by which time her friend should be back. 

I am going to get some remedies to add to my first aid kit, so the next time this happens I will be better prepared.  Also, if I feel I must go and check on her in the middle of the night, I will make sure she doesn't see me!  Thanks again to everyone.

Reply to this Topic 

  • Posted 363 days ago (27 May 2012 19:15)

Page

Post a message in The Yard

To post a reply to this topic, please Log In.

Terms of use

Use of our community areas and forums is subject to important terms of use. By joining our community and using the features you agree to be bound by these terms. Read full terms of use


Most popular