Ridecamp: Re: [RC] claustrophobic horse??

Julie,  I'm curious, has your filly been out 24/7 since birth?  Was she foaled outside or in a stall?  Its quite natural for horses to be claustrophobic, its an instinct.  

I guess I would spend alot of time bringing her in the barn and then quickly out again.  When she can tolerate that without pooping or fidgiting, bring her in, give her a favorite treat or rub her somewhere she likes, then take her out again.  I would bring her in the barn for brief periods of time everyday for awhile.  I suspect the only time you actually get her into the barn, is for the Vet or farrior, not exactly a great experience for her, so her behavior is getting worse because she anticipates some unpleasantness.  I think if you make the barn or a stall part of her routine, even some a few seconds a day, particularly if associated with something pleasant, she will relax there.  Good luck.  BTW, I would not tie or cross tie this filly inside until this issue is settled;-)  Jennifer.

 julie fox <treaster@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Has anyone heard of a horse being claustrophobic? If so, is there anyway to get her over it?
>
> My 19-month-old filly is pretty well behaved when outside. She's nowhere close to an angel, but about as good as one can expect from a yearling. She stands tied without pulling on the rope. Although she does paw occasionally and move around a little bit when she gets bored, she generally respects my space and doesn't run me over with her fidgeting. However, if I bring her into the barn, she gets extremely nervous. She paces constantly as much as the rope will allow, running over me and anything else she contacts. She tosses her head in an attempt to free herself from whatever she is tied to. And when in the barn she poops repeatedly until only water comes out, which in my experience is perhaps the best indication of a nervous horse. I've had her now since March, and while her outdoor behavior has improved consistently with training, her indoor beh
> avior has only gotten worse. To the point where she kicked the farrier in her attempt to get away. She's had her feet done 
> several times now and has always been fine before. We finished her up outside, and she was fine for the remaining three feet.
>
> Is it possible that my filly is claustrophobic? Can anyone suggest a way to get her comfortable inside? She is outdoors 24/7, but I'd like her to be comfortable in a stall in case she gets injured and has to be confined. I've tried feeding her inside, and that hasn't helped. Having horses inside with her also doesn't help. After 8 months of trying, I am out of ideas.
>
> I really appreciate any help you can give me on this.
>
> Cristin
>
>
>
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