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Discussion on Stall panic only at shows
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Member:
Npreston
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 - 7:19 am:
I have a 5 year old warmblood event horse that is in his first year of showing. He has been very well behaved and done great this year. 99% of time he is great at shows in the stall. However, that 1% where he isn't - is horrible!! He climbs the walls until his legs are bleeding!! You can't leave him alone for 1 minute. Then it progresses to you can't even deal with him when you get him out of the stall. The times it has happened this year have been at locations with 3 very high solid walls (this is a 17'2 hand horse) and all mesh front. All the stalls have been exactly the same where he freaks. It is easy to say -just don't take him back to those locations. However, these locations are key Events in my area. Any suggestions? I am desperate!!
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Member:
Stevens
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 - 9:32 am:
Have you considered a stall companion for him. I know a couple of people who keep goats with their horses for the same reason.
One takes the goat with the horse everywhere, even if they aren't staying overnight. I about had a heart attack when I walked by a trailer and a goat stuck his head out of the open escape door!!
One hauled her horse, and his goat, to the AQHA World Championship Show.
Good Luck!
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Member:
Npreston
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 - 4:15 pm:
Thanks. I have thought about a mini horse as a companion. Does anyone have any thoughts about that? I would like to have an animal that can trave with him, stay in the same stall, and not freak out everyone else's horses. Does anyone have any advice on a good choice.
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Member:
Savage
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 - 5:49 pm:
Nancy it sounds like he just might be claustrophobic, seeing that he has this trouble only with those stalls.
does he also have this trouble in his own stall a home?, does he have an open window that he looks out of?
Just a thought, It's my understanding that because of the way a horses eye works, the view he is getting is not only the front but what is behind him at the same time in a panoramic view. So if what I understand is correct then all he see's is a solid enclosure with no way out and he has a panic attack.
So if that could be a possibility then I wonder if you could put up a wallpaper runner, such as those wallpapers that just go up at the ceiling with scene of some sort, like a forest or maybe one that has horses in a pasture on it, something at his eye level that gives the illusion that it is an open space that he can see as he turns around in his stall.
I am probably really off base with my thoughts on this Nancy so Dr.O will be the one to listen too concerning your baby. 
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Member:
Wgillmor
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Posted on Saturday, Nov 4, 2006 - 6:17 pm:
I don't have personal experience but I would try a stall mirror before putting another animal in with him.
See
Wiley
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Member:
Stevens
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 - 9:09 am:
While I think minis are cute, I think you could get a goat alot cheaper so if money's no object, go for whichever you prefer. Having had horses that freaked out at ponies, I don't think there will be any more acceptance on the part of other horses one way or another.
A stall mirror is a good idea and even cheaper!!!
Yours in thrift,
Chris
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 - 10:56 am:
What type stalls does he tolerate? Do you think it is the type stall or perhaps the amount of time spent in it?
DrO
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Member:
Npreston
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 - 1:31 pm:
He tolerates stalls that have bars on the top half between them. He also tolerates temporary stalls, where he can see over the top. He really is fine with even solid wood stalls if he can see over the top. At home he spends 12 hours in and 12 hours out. So, he is use to being in a stall.As I said he is 17'2 and while at shows, not only does he like looking out the front (we put up a stall guard) he likes looking at his neighbors behind him as well. Where do you recommend putting up a stall mirror?
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Member:
Lsweeney
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Posted on Sunday, Nov 5, 2006 - 9:58 pm:
What about a temporary corral? I had steel corrals made for our Friesian for camping that hung off the side of our trailer. If it is all about not being able to see out and what is going on, this may help?
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Monday, Nov 6, 2006 - 7:28 am:
The above suggestions are good. You could try to slowly modify a stall at home to gradually get him use to the type stall construction at home.
DrO
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Member:
Npreston
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 5:53 am:
Dr. O,
Your suggestion is the one that we have been working toward the last couple of days. Slowly being able to close in one side of his stall at home and then has he gets used to that adding another closed wall until 3 sides are closed. We are hoping that might help. This problem developed when was at a training facility along with his buddy and the buddy was sold - left and never came back. Ever since that time it seems as if he relates that stall to that incident. Does that sound logical or I am giving him too much credit.
Also, Laurie that is good idea. However, USEA doesn't allow you to have that kind of temporary stalls at most rated events.
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Moderator:
DrO
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 7:59 am:
Hmmm...I have found giving complicated emotional reasons for horse behavior counterproductive to the training process. It confuses the process and sometimes provides excuses for bad behavior, ending up having it rewarded. Look upon behavior as something that develops because it is rewarded and extinguishes when it is not rewarded. You will find with this attitude helps develop decisions, actions, and solutions that work.
DrO
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Member:
Ella
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 10:47 am:
Are the stalls small? If so at 17.2 he may be claustrophobic when he cant see out because the size of the stall. Could you get 2 stalls and remove the center so it is 2 stalls like a foaling stall?
Ella
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Member:
Stevens
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Posted on Wednesday, Nov 8, 2006 - 3:05 pm:
Another thought. I've seen folks at shows that "install" stall doors of their own instead of using those already in place. They were always like big heavy duty screen doors. I had assumed they were for increased ventilation. They definitely were more substantial than a stall guard.
Maybe you could talk to the show managers at these venues and see if that's an option.
Otherwise, if the stall door in place is a dutch door with separate top and bottom doors, can you just close the bottom?
Chris
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