Gran Teddy Auto: #192- Attempt to Fix Horse Separation Anxiety - Pa...

Gran Teddy Auto: #192- Attempt to Fix Horse Separation Anxiety - Pa...: Today was my first attempt at addressing Teddy and Gran's issues about being away from each other. This is stage one of what I'm sur...

#192- Attempt to Fix Horse Separation Anxiety - Part 1

Today was my first attempt at addressing Teddy and Gran's issues about being away from each other. This is stage one of what I'm sure is going to be a lengthy process.

I began by tying them within a few feet of each other while I brushed them etc. They are used to this proximity so they were very comfortable. When I was done I moved them a greater distance apart where they could still see one another very easily but it was a clear and noticeable distance (see photo below). They were just on either side of the cow crush. 

To my surprise Teddy called out. At this point it crossed my mind that none of the stuff I had read had mentioned whether I was to reassure the horse while it was getting anxious or not. I decided that as I view them like they are my kids that I wouldn't. I was affectionate and encouraging before and after but not during the anxious moments as it felt like I'd be coddling them and I didn't want to encourage the unwanted behaviour.

Gran responded by pacing a little, then they both settled down. I went away for about 15 minutes and hung some washing etc. From the clothes line I could see both of them and they were quite at ease within minutes.

I returned and then moved then again. This time I took Teddy to about midway around the front paddock and tied him there and I took Gran in the other direction and tied her to a post outside the veggie patch area. I chose these locations as it would seem like they were separated by quite a distance but in reality, if they looked through the trees, they could see each other.

Teddy pitched a fit the moment Gran was out of eye sight and Gran paced about a bit. After a few minutes, although you could see Teddy was anxious he was behaving pretty well, just calling out for Gran. Gran responded only once. I went and did some more chores and left them for about another 15 or 20 minutes. I'd say that minutes 5 to 10 had Teddy calling out every 30 seconds or so then it slowly tapered off. I'd peek to see all was fine and they were both standing there completely ok, then in the last 5 minute they were quiet, no neighs, no anything - just standing.



I collected Teddy first and he was fine, I took him back to the crush to rug him and he was ideal. Gran was watching us and started pawing at the ground but I took my time and then when I was done with Teddy I got Gran.

All in all I think this first time went better than I expected. I was thinking broken halters or lead ropes and tantrums but as you will see from the videos it was pretty tame. I'll do this regularly and hopefully they will become accustom to the time they are apart. then I will increase the times. This is the theory anyway. I''ll give it a good go but if anyone out there has used this technique and has any advise I'd like to hear it.

Gran Teddy Auto: #191 - separation anxiety in horses

Gran Teddy Auto: #191 - separation anxiety in horses: I'm slowly feeling less pain and am keen on working with the horses. I know I can't ride just yet so I think my priority should be t...

#191 - separation anxiety in horses

I'm slowly feeling less pain and am keen on working with the horses. I know I can't ride just yet so I think my priority should be to try to address their separation anxiety. Granny is my riding horse now and she doesn't have it as bad as Teddy but I've noticed when i'm just moving them between paddocks that she is displaying separation anxiety to a greater and greater level.

From the beginning when I separated them, as soon as they were out of line of sight Teddy would run around screaming out to her. If I took her a few farms away to ride at a friends place I could hear him carrying on in the background and if I went right away from the property Steve would tell me Teddy was playing up half the time I was gone; literally hours. Gran on the other hand was fine, then she became glancey, now she is running about a bit so I want to do something about it now before it gets worse.

I've read about it and have a few techniques to try, some of which will involve both of them at the same time, others are more one on one ground work, so I wonder who I should start with in those situations. It will probably have to be Teddy. 

I'll see how things go and update progress here. 

If anyone has any suggestions that they have seen work and doesn't involve buying a third horse, please feel free to share.

Thanks

Gran Teddy Auto: #190 - Turned out and waiting pat...

Gran Teddy Auto: Gran Teddy Auto: #190 - Turned out and waiting pat...: Not a lot of change yet but I'm trying to remain optimistic. It been a while since Gran's been in the float and I'll probably ...