What's wrong with her? Is she stressed?

[jenren!!]

ok, well not having the best time with my mare at the moment. I've only had her over a month and problems are arising from all different directions. Not only is it stressing me out, its attracting my bank account like a magnet. First she didnt have a saddle - took ages to sort that out (Luckily its sorted however the saddle isnt brilliant), Then we had to sort out a different bit for her, and a bridle, then her shoe came off again, then a catching problem. Now theres three different problems:

1. Shes got a problem with her bit - read my post in 'general' ('Why is she doing this?).
2. She seems to be detached from the other horses in the field - shes never with them. In fact, shes always near the gate when they're right at the other end of the field. She always wants to come in, even after she gets fed on a night. She's coming in on Sunday, which may improve, but im still not sure whether she's just constantly hungry or just doesnt get on with the others. She's not cold - i've made sure of that. They move into smaller paddocks when they come in and get hay to eat. However...
3. She weaves, so when she wants to come in she weaves over the gate. I've got a weaving grill for her stable, however i feel she might still do it over the field gate on a night, waiting to come in - I can't turn her out full time as it does not have that facility and she seems to like being in as whenever she sees me coming to the field she whinnies and comes running - she's stubborn to lead out too - very lazy. What is the best possible life she could have with what i've got to stop her stressing so easily? She gets exercised nearly every day.

She's been cooped up last winter due to box rest so she's been badly stressed before. What do you think? Please help, i love her to pieces but i just want a chance to settle down and enjoy her without all these little problems.

X jenny X

[mandagirl26]

Sounds rough!.. I think she may need more time and see that you're coming at a specific time over and over again. I've had my horse since February and when he was in a free roam pasture with shelter it took him almost two-three months to really be "in" the herd. He was pushed away a lot by everyone.... and just stood out by himself or by the gate until he was accepted by the herd. It's probably safer in her mind for her to be away from them... if she tries to get close do they run her off? Are they letting her eat?
Then I moved him to a closer stable and he was turned out daily and stalled at night.. big change as he was kept in an adjoining pasture by himself between the mares and stallion.
I moved him again, the owners wanted to bring in two horses to sell and wanted his stall (we were wanting to have our barn up..construction delays) so he went to a large farm in a box stall for 2 1/2 weeks!!! :eek: I only got there a handful of times to let him out for a walk and nibble, or play in the roundpen. He was not used to being stalled 24/7 at all.
I just moved Mister again for the 4th time (to my home finally) this year and now he's cribbing slightly.. I feel so bad for him. And we just built his stall! He's got chunks bitten off here and there. I'm hoping he will stop once he sees he's in a permanent spot. He's definitely stressed too.
I feel for you and your baby... hope she settles in soon!
what kind of bit were you using and what did you change to?.. I'll go read the post too...
:)

[laura kevin]

i think that the field problem may be because she doesn't like the others. Watch them in the field to see what the others do. do they chase her? do they not include her? find out if she really wants to be in the field. hope that helps. :)

[Big Ears]

she might be better in a smaller paddock on her own if they are bullying her - sounds like she isn't part of the herd. she is probably stressed and not very settled, so her riding is likely to reflect that. see if you can get her happier outdoors and if that improves her other aspects.

[Cheko]

Is she used to living out? It takes time for a horse to settle in with an established 'herd'. Keep an eye on her and see how things work out. It's very difficult for a horse when its taken away from familiar surroundings and made to live with a different 'herd'. Is she the only mare?

[jenren!!]

No she's with all mares. It's funny, because the other day when i went to catch her for her vaccinations, she was with the others at the other end. She seems comfortable grazing around them. I haven't noticed the others bullying her at all, she just seems to want to come in alot, and would rather be with me than the others (well, so it seems, however unlikely). She was in a different field through summer, and she was with horses which she got along with, so she was hard to catch. Then they moved them all with just mares and just geldings (to stop, erm, 'funny' behaviour :p ). She was still stubborn to catch at first, then it got a little colder and she started hanging around. I have just started feeding her when i bring her in - do you think this is the main reason why she wants to comes in? I wouldnt be suprised...

X jenny X