Gran Teddy Auto: #193 - Attempt to Fix Separation Anxiety - Part 2

Gran Teddy Auto: #193 - Attempt to Fix Separation Anxiety - Part 2: Well this is going better than I expected. Granted that its early days yet and they aren't out of each others sights but with the way Te...

#193 - Attempt to Fix Separation Anxiety - Part 2

Well this is going better than I expected. Granted that its early days yet and they aren't out of each others sights but with the way Teddy was behaving I'm proud of his progress.

For the last week I have been separating the horses from anywhere between 20 minutes to 45 minutes, any time of day or evening, with either Gran or Teddy lead away (though mainly Gran). They can still see each other clearly but they can not touch each other or interact other than to call out to each other. For the first two day's Teddy called out and he only did so for the first five minutes then he went and ate grass. I note that he didn't wander too far from the fence line. Gran on the other hand would become more alert as she was taken away but then she didn't care much after that.

This week I have started with a larger distance between them - a lane-way and in separate paddocks with a obstacles in between to block the view. Gran has been wandering into Teddy's view and this is the only time he can see her and she will do this to eat grass. She doesn't seem bothered at all.  Teddy isn't liking the separation much and has been calling out intermittently for the last 15 minutes.  He must feel he's at the start of last week all over again.

 I will continue to do this latest distance for the next week and report back on how they are both going.

I think Gran will find this a piece of cake, Teddy on the other hand, well I hope he will become acustom to it. Then I'll increase the pressure. It will take the time it takes and with Teddy that tends to be longer than what most people claim things take with their horses.

I'm going to put them back together now after only 15 - 20 minutes but I think it's better to mix things up. Then I can come in out of the cold!

Postscript - tonight was harder on Teddy than I realised. He had worked up a little sweat and was even foaming between the back legs. Poor Teddy! A ahh I mean Suck It Up Princess! 

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 ...