adjusting to a new place

[Minouri]

I'd like to run this scenario by you and see if 1) you think it's normal and 2) you think I'm doing the right thing or have some advice on helping the horses adjust.

I brought them home last night and walked them around the property. We rode them around the place so they could get used to it.

Scooter flipped when I put him in his new stall. He does well on trail rides, but once he was put in the stall he broke out in a sweat. He paced back and forth, pressing his body against the gate. I stayed with him for a long time and just let them get used to the new barn.

Today they were perfectly happy in the round pen together.....but when I took one out the other ran around and bucked and called out constantly. I took Scooter out and walked him around the parameter of the property. I don't want my boys too dependent on each other or I'll never get to ride one without worrying about the other. We just circled and circled the two acres. Scooter was pretty calm.....my appy was stomping and calling. Then I switched horses. I walked Snowy around and Scooter ran around like a nut in the run pen and worked himself up in a lather. I didn't go far...just around the backyard and then behind the barn and back.

When I put Scooter back he turned his back to me and bucked at me. I moved him around the round pen a few times till he was facing me. After that he came to me when I called him. He hasn't acted like that since I first got him. Could it be because with the move I haven't spent much time with him lately?

There is big thunderstorm coming our way so I just put the boys away for the night. Scooter is pacing back and forth in his stall.....not eating. He did eat breakfast and lunch. He's pooping twice as much as normal....but it is still solid. I know he's nervous.

Are there things I'm not doing that could put him more at ease?

I know Scooter takes moving hard. When we got the second horse I moved him to a new barn so we could have them together. He called out for three days and didn't eat for the first day. I called the vet then because I was so worried. He told me to wait it out. And Scooter did adjust. I have moved them twice since. He hasn't been that bad again.

Normally, when I've boarded I was able to take one horse out for a ride without it being a big deal to the second. It's something I've always been happy with my horses about. Course there have always been other horses around in the nearby paddocks. Now it's just the two of them.

Will that come back? Am I going about it the right way.....walking them separately but nearby? Today I was pretty sure I was doing the right thing....then I felt like maybe I was just tormenting them by doing it too early.

[CarolU]

Yes, I think it will come back. You just moved them to a new environement, right now each other is the only 'herd' they have. They're going through a period of insecurity and will adjust as they start to think of it as 'home.' I'd keep doing what you're doing though...keep seperating them for short periods, they'll learn the other one always comes back and not be so herd bound to each other.

As for the stall, has Scooter never been stalled before? It sounds like he's claustrophobic. He'll adjust in time, but would adjust faster if he can see Snowy. I'm not sure if your stall dividers are such that a top panel or a few boards be removed so he can see him. Then, once he's adjusted to 'his stall' and knows Snowy is next door, put the panel back.

[Minouri]

Carol,

Yep, he's been stalled before. Mostly indoor barns for the past 5 years. There is a partial front gate/door and grillwork on two sides. This is actually more open of a stall than he is used to. I was considering putting him in the stall that has less of a view to see if that would calm him down. He's presently in the stall closest to the garage door.

I bought the full board divider because if he can see the horse in the next stall he kicks at them (and destroys the boards) in the middle. Removing a few boards might be possible. I'll look into it. I could always put them back later. They might be welded in by now though..... :(

I might also have to buy a new stall door for him if he doesn't calm down. When I bought the stall doors I thought about how accessible they were and airy. Our other horse doesn't have an issue....but I caught Scooter down on his elbows trying to sneak under the door. I put two stall mats against the bottom and he hasn't pushed them over....yet. Crazy little pony.

At one barn we were at he used to let himself out of his stall and turn on all the lights. I got yelled at it several times before they caught him in the act one night...just walking around playing with the light switches. He'd also let himself out for midnight strolls around the paddocks at one barn. The owner said he'd always find him back in his stall in the morning but his door would be unlocked and buckets would be knocked over and tossed around outside. I thought he had outgrown his mischief stage. :confused

[CarolU]

"outgrown his mischief stage" Oh, you're funny. Come meet Trooper, he's 18 and still in that stage. Some horses (and it's usually boys) have a strong play drive and never outgrow it.

I'm not sure what his problem is then. Interesting. I imagine he'll adjust in time. It is most probably the fact that it is all new and doesn't smell like a horse barn yet. It does sound like he'd do better with some stall toys. I imagine it's like being in jail for them.

[Linda Y]

He will adjust. It will just take him a while to realize this is 'home'. I was wondering the same thing...if he could see his pasturemate.

[Minouri]

That was an interesting thought....about it not smelling like a barn. I wonder if that could be it!

[GeorgeGuns]

Hmmm. Can Scooter make nose contact with Snowy when they are in? If not, that may be too much separation for him and he's going nuts.

Anytime you move two horses they use it as a MAJOR bonding experience, and all of a sudden their very lives depend on the eachother, the subordinate horse will be the one to get freaky - like Scooter - with separation. It is easier when moved to a place where there are other horses, going to just the two of them makes it really rough. Have you got enough room to get a third horse? Possibly a rescue that isn't ridable but still a great companion animal? That way there will always be company if you ride one of them.

[Minouri]

Coreen! Perfect excuse to get the third horse I want...lol

Scooter is doing better. I moved him into the inner stall with less of a view and that seemed to calm him down.


Today I made sure we rode in opposite sides of the land and came back together and separated. Scooter was upset at first then calmed down and accepted it.

[jodiTowne]

Minouri, my paso gelding has always acted just as you describe Scooter. Each move would frazzle him, but in time he would get used to the routine. It takes 1-2 weeks. He would go off feed, etc. He has always been very attached to his buddies but again gets over it after a while....I should correct that. He has gotten over leaving his buddy when I ride him, but always calls for his buddy when I leave him behind. He digs nice holes in the pasture! Usually as the nice weather progresses he gets more used to it and its not such a big deal. I would do what you are...short stints without each other and wouldn't expect a whole lot until they settle in a week or so.

Here's routine for you.....we camped 2 years in a row in a certain section of a local park. The next year we camped in a different section....Valedor tried his hardest to take me to the "old" section tho he hadn't been there in a year and all his pasturemates were hanging out in the "new" section!! They don't llike change!!

Good luck!!

[Minouri]

Jodi,

Your post made me feel better. I always worry that he has that strong reaction because of something I'm doing.......or not doing. But hopefully this is our last move anyway.

He's already doing much better. Everyday I take one of them out of the eyesight of the other either for a short ride or to lunge. They aren't getting as upset anymore.

I've also been practicing tying him in the cross ties in the barn since the farrier comes tomorrow. The first time I tied him in there he did a complete spin. He's standing quietly now. He's normally perfect for the farrier and I dont' want that to change.

This board has taught me so much. It's also a great place to post questions that aren't pressing....but it's nice to hear other opinions and similar stories.

Thanks :bsmile