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My mare is having a real tough time in the new barn

3K views 49 replies 14 participants last post by  BreezylBeezyl 
#1 ·


Day 4 now and Ive been bringing her into the barn everyday so she can get used to it. I just tie her and do what I have to do. Because she has to get used to it, I started off with just light stuff at first, so she would only be tied for 10mins the first couple days.

This barn is considerably smaller than the old one. The first time I brought her in, she was snorting non stop and looking behind her shoulder like crazy. I knew she doesnt like how narrow the barn grooming stations are and how dark it is inside even with the lights on. She feels uncomfortable with the stalls behind her being so dark and not knowing whats inside. When I bring her in, every single time she will immediately pop her head over the first stall to see whats inside.

Ive been thinking of picking up a work lamp to turn on when I bring her in but my trainer says to stop babying her and that she just needs time.

Yesterday when I had her in there she was pretty good but there was also lessons going on and a few other horses tied along the isle so she easily kept herself distracted.

In the old barn, she had to adjust and when I first brought her in, she was constantly shifting back and fourth from side to side, making it literally impossible for me to groom her. And this is with a barn with a lot more light and more space.

But over time, she got a lot better and actually got quite good in terms of standing tied. Still room for improvement but a huge difference from the first day she was tied in there.

Well Im a bit worried about whether or not she will get comfortable with the new barn. I brought her in tonight to take off her blanket, give her a light brush, put more fly spray on and put the blanket back on.Well it took a lot longer than expected cause she wouldnt stand still.

The fact there was no other horses inside, it made her feel uncomfortable. She kept calling for the other horses and didnt know where they were. So once I finished what I was doing, I untied her and off we went. I only had her tied for maybe 20mins but I was with her the whole time.

The new barn is pretty narrow. When I tie her, I cant tie with too much slack or she will be able to back up and run out of space behind her. Even with not much slack in the lead when tied, when she stands facing the tie hook, her butt will just about touch the stall doors behind her. If there is shovels or anything there, I need to move them. This barn would be too small IMO for 16hh horses.

My goal has always been to be able to get her to stand tied with her facing the tie hook. But with the new place, it wont work cause I cant get behind her. I would have to get her to stand at like 45 degree angles as I groom her on each side. Bit of an adjustment, but its one of the sacrifices i just have to make with the new place. No barn will be perfect.

I was speaking with my new trainer last night and it looks like this will be my first lesson with her. This is what I requested because I feel I need to get her comfortable when tied in the new barn. So we will be bringing a lesson horse in with her and that horse will stand tied right next to mine, to give her support.

Anyone have any suggestions on what I can do to make it less uncomfortable for her when tying her inside the barn?
 
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#43 ·
Sorry-I do not buy into the whole "adjustment time". Many of us take our horses to shows and they behave. Teach your horse to respect you no matter where she is. Personally-I rarely tie. That does not mean my horse doesn't tie-at all. It means when I tell him to stand, whether it is in his stall for grooming, or in the wash stall, or wherever-he best do what I ask. He moves-he is moved back and told to stand. Period. This is, IMO, 100% a respect issue. She should be paying attention to you, and nothing else. I don't care if the barn is blowing up around him, horses are being fed-whatever-he will stand there, and I do not make excuses as to why he won't. be consistent-horses need that. Tie her and expect her to stand. Period.
I have a guy whose previous owner made excuses for his bad behavior all the time. It got her double barreled and hurt-and she STILL tries to make excuses when she comes to visit if he moves. Expect 100% and you will get it. This horse has your number. JMHO.
 
#48 ·
I do not believe in smacking them.
Just let them learn on their own. You do not want to associate something un pleasant with being tied.
In fact, make it a 'reward'. I work my horses and then i tie them up. Standing tied them becomes relaxing.
Of course, there are times you just tie a horse, but if they have learned to relax and accept being tied, then you can haul them somewhere, as on a trail ride, get there just before dark, and tie them up for the night. Horses are creatures of habit.
I also would not expect a horse to just chill' at feeding time, while other horses are being fed. Of course, that is going to upset a horse, and it is un reasonable to tie up a hungry horse, without feed, during regular feeding time, while feeding the rest of the horses. If I was tying ahorse up at feeding time, I would hang a hay bag
 
#50 ·
Honestly, some horses will paw. It's a 'vice' for sure (my horse does it on rare occasions on days where her patience is thin), but it's hardly worth sweating over. I say this because it's very difficult to correct (as you've probably experienced thus far) because it is a habit, and it really doesn't do any harm. They are merely expressing their impatience, but if they aren't being dangerous about it there isn't really any need to correct it.

If your horse paws, leave it alone and eventually it will stop. Sometimes they are just looking for a reaction (negative or positive) and by hitting or yelling at them you are giving them reinforcement to continue pawing.
 
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