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  Discussion on Moved to new barn, my mare has totally forgotten ground manners 101
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Posted on Monday, May 29, 2000 - 8:17 pm:

Hi--I moved my 11yo mare to a new barn 3 days ago...she's gone from a 3 horse barn with no pasture to an 8 horse barn with rich pasture turnout--6 mares, 2 geldings. She immediately went into season (as did all the mares) and is "in love" with 2 other mares. The first 2 days there, we turned her out alone in a large arena (has some grass), and other than some normal excitement, was well behaved (I must confess, I do need to work on "whoa" and she occasionally is a 'bully' on the lead). Yesterday, she was turned out on grass with the other mares, and now she's acting like a maniac, doing things I've never seen her do in the 4 years I've had her: kicking, rearing, trying to barge through her stall door, really dangerous stuff! I hope that this will all settle down after she adjusts better to the new environment/grass/mares in season, etc. Other than grass, she is on timothy hay and a very small amount of oat/corn/ sweet feed. I've asked the stable owner to stop any feed, and I do expect things to settle down, but wow, what a trip this has been. Any advice to augment my learning here would be appreciated!

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 2:40 pm:

Hello Beth,
Do give your mare a lot more time - it can be very traumatic for a horse when you move them. She probably had a "best friend" at your last barn who she is missing like mad - and now she has got to adjust and fit in at the new barn.
If you are interested, we had a discussion on the stress caused to horses by selling or moving them and some relevant points were made. You will find it under Training Menu: Behaviour Problems; Forums: Causing serious stress to our horses.
Good luck - be patient, and she'll settle with your help and constant attendance.

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 9:40 pm:

THank you! I'll be sure to read the previous forum discussion! Heck, I think I'm just as stressed as my mare is! She has settled down today, but still is "edgy" and not her usual self...I know that will take time. You're right...she did have a best friend at the old barn; leaving him, going into season, a new stall and set up, and pasture is an awful lot to adjust too!

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 9:44 pm:

Hi Beth,

My guys usually get a little hot/silly when first turned out to pasture for the new season (although NOT as silly as you describe -- but then they're used to it). Make sure that they're not allowing her to stay out there too long until she adjusts to having green grass in her diet(only a few hours a day and then build it up). Moves can be difficult for the horse and owner but that's not an excuse for bad manners. Be stern when she misbehaves and reward her when she behaves. Although it's a new environment, you need to set the ground rules. If you're having troubles with her, I'm sure there are other people at the barn who would be willing to help you. That's the great thing about horse people!

Posted on Tuesday, May 30, 2000 - 10:07 pm:

Hi Sheila--thanks for your advice. the other boarders and stable owner have been great..you're right about horse people! I did find that applying a stud chain has helped; just having it on has made her "stop and think". When she's settled, I would really like to continue to focus on her ground manners....kind of go "back to basics". thanks again!
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