Hi, I was wondering if you could help me please. My pony has always had a friend who comes in with him at night and has the stable next to him, and she has been out in the field with him during the day. She has just been sold and although he still has company out in the field he does not like being in the stable 'on his own' without his friend. Although there are other horses in the yard, he just trots around his stable and rears up like he is coming over the door. I know that you sometimes have to leave them to get on with it and they eventually settle down, but I am worried that he is going to harm himself. Can you offer any advice please?

Thanks

Helene

H&C expert Jenny Rudall replies:

Hi Helene,

Thanks for getting in touch and you are right sometimes horses will settle down on their own, but if there is a fear he will harm himself then something needs to be done. Is there another mare he can pair up with who can go in the stable where his friend was? This may help as he knows there is another horse next to him. You could also try feeding your horse the moment he comes in and put it in small amounts round the box to keep him occupied, and then give him a hay net with small holes or put the hay into two nets to again keep him occupied. Another alternate is to ask if you can change stables, this may distract him from his worries while he is getting over losing a friend. I think what your horse also needs is time; they are social animals and I do hope he will start to calm down sooner than you think.

Good luck and I hope he starts to relax again soon.

Jenny.