Helping a horse with separation anxiety
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 23 июн 2022
- Here are some things you can do to help a horse with separation anxiety. Filmed at a clinic in Corvallis, Montana.
If you like these short RUclips videos, then you will LOVE the online video library where all of the full-length training videos are housed. Warwick has hundreds of full-length training videos filmed with REAL horses, REAL people, REAL problems in REAL time with no edits or ads. The online video library is the best way to follow along with Warwick's process!
Get a free 7-day trial here: videos.warwickschiller.com/7-...
Check out our Facebook page here: / warwickschillerfanpage
Instagram: warwickschiller
Listen to The Journey On Podcast with Warwick Schiller, a conversation about horse training and personal development and the journeys that life takes us on. Listen on:
www.warwickschiller.com/podcast/ 
Животные
![NOSFERATU - Official Teaser Trailer [HD] - Only In Theaters December 25](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/b59rxDB_JRg/mqdefault.jpg)
I look at Mary, with this horse she clearly loves, and see myself, so trying to handle my horse according to my values of good horsemanship - and not quite getting it yet. it’s such a steep learning curve. I hope Mary went home with loads more confidence, and a renewed connection with her lovely palomino. I’ve learnt loads just watching, thank you Warwick.
Hello 👋 MsDormy, how are you doing? I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
The difference between a good trainer and a great one is that they can teach patiently and effectively communicate with others, not just animals. Warwick is a great trainer.
Stepping backwards also communicates to the horse that you're allowing him to make the decisions for both of you, because he moved you. So in his mind, if he's scared and uncertain, you are pretty much saying "I'm also scared and uncertain". What he needs and is looking for is someone to centre him and tell him "you do what you want, but I'm perfectly certain and safe". Like the chill horse in the paddock who stands there unfazed when the others run around, and doesn't allow the other horse's anxiety to move it
I call that being "with me".
I have a double-bred Hancock mare that was everywhere but with me when I got her. She had come from a stable that didn't feed her enough. She was underweight almost 200 pounds. So, we had some severe issues to deal with before she was willingly with me.
I put her in the company of my old gelding who has "been there, done that".
Food is always a motivator for the horse and she could be aggressive about it.
Over the course of 6 months, I simply asked her to soften and be "with me" before I let her eat. As you could probably imagine, that was met with some aggressive behavior in the beginning. She was pushy, aggressive and dismissive. So, we worked on my bubble, softness, who is the leader and just being willing in general. I never let her walk away from me either, I would send her away at the end of our time together. I was sure to communicate to her that I was the leader and that I wanted her full attention while we were together.
She is amazingly intelligent. I really believe that she understands the entire english language. One night I couldn't see our alpaca "Bubba". It was a bit snowy and windy and he kinda blends into the snow. I asked my 2 horses, "where's Bubba?". My Hancock mare lifter her head, looked me square in the eyes, looked over her shoulder, turned and walked about 30 yards to where the alpaca was laying, nudged him with her nose and walked directly back to me and looked me square in the eyes again. As if to say, "he's right there". There was no hesitation at any portion of that. I've also had numerous occasions when she has answered my questions with a nod or shake of her head. I know, it sounds improbable and I had a tough time coming to terms with it myself. I've owned horses for the better part of 60 years and never had one do anything remotely similar.
Anyway, 6 months later, I have an entirely different mare. She mirrors me while I am out in the yard. She gives me space when I walk in with her grain. She is very willing to try. In the beginning, I walked into the corral with a stick. I haven't needed to take that with me for a couple months now.
We still have some small fear issues that we are working on, under saddle, but she has made great leaps in the right direction. Every so often I need to remind her of boundaries. Generally all that is needed now is a verbal cue.
I probably took it slower than any trainer might have but I wanted to be sure that I was getting the exact behavior that I was looking for before I moved onto the next step. Oh, and she is slightly overweight now!
I really believe that just letting a horse learn to be a horse in the herd is valuable. Living their entire lives in a box stall in not a good thing for their mental and emotional development. There are many things that are easier for them to learn while in the company of other horses.
Great video. That beautiful Palomino sure had a lot to say! There was just no connection between the two. I'm sure Mary loves her, but that pretty mare could care less if Mary was in the arena, or not. It was like watching a bad human couple's relationship. Sincerely hope they can build a bond.
Great way of not moving away and being wholly present with the horse.
Being mentally and physically with her.
Mr. Schiller- I really love and appreciate your videos. I am a lifetime horse person, who is learning, like so many others, that there is a better way to communicate than how we were taught growing up. I was taught MAKE the horse do. But I always knew it was the connection that made the real difference.
I worked on letting my green horse find his own stop today and tried to channel all the other tips I've watched. We had a great ride! 👍
Seeing you in person is on my bucket list!
My mare just had a panic attack a couple weeks back when I left her in the round pen and went for a walk with my gelding. She was crying, so we went back over to her, and when we got there I was astounded. She was moving a lot and running, shaking, and breathing really weird. Her skin was hot. I started getting nervous cuz I'd never seen her like that. So I put him away and then took her for a walk, I was happy to see her eating grass as we walked. After a little bit she calmed back down and returned to normal. Even though he was back in their pen, she calmed down since I was there with her (since I'm part of the herd and their high horse) so I'm glad that worked out. First time that ever happened but now I'm aware of it.
As always, jam packed with practical advice that can be easily applied for solid results. Love your videos Warwick, heartfelt thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with these free online lessons
Being aware of self and redirecting my guy really helped us stand for the Farrier... he really would just stand there with no hold. All by changing me. Still so much for us to work on though
Your comment made me think of the saying "Be the change you want to see." I can't wait to apply this with my horse who could be better for the farrier.
Good explanations. The différence between the horse with Mary and the horse with you was obvious. Little details, big difference. 💕
I totally agree. And after just 5 seconds, it’s clear that she has no confidence, and she projects that very clearly in the video. Imagine how a sensible being, the horse, feels about this human…
@@fairdinkum9454 i don’t think this is grounds to diss mary and how she handles herself. she doesn’t do this on purpose, and she is an example of how most people handle their horses (defensive, on guard). she is doing what she knows, there is no need to insult her.
My new horse, when trying to get attention instead of yielding hindquarters runs in a circle. Is it because I haven’t taught to yield ? What am I missing ?
And a video that has Influenced Me? This one, it has given me encouragement. I have recovered from a long-term depression that prevented me from working with horses. After working hard on myself, I am back in the round pen daily... To discover myself as a different person.
Because the horses and mules respond totally differently to my presence. I had been struggling for a while to put the right words on it.
But when I saw your video, I had a sense of recognition.
Because I almost do nothing anymore and the horses and mules tune in so easily.
I've tried for so many years things like "less is better" and "if you think you're going slow, go slower"... when I saw you at work and... yeah, what can I say? Thank you, maybe.
Thank you very much for this video, Warwick!!! This is almost uncannily timely for me, working through your advice for creating connection and the flowchart with my yearling filly. This video is frame-for-frame identical to the scene on my farm when the filly and I leave the immediate presence of her barn mate - she's "obedient," but her mind is definitely trying so hard to be with her friend, whether she knows we're leaving him behind or are going to join him. I'm definitely doing that subtle and defensive "suck back" in my body language... I was even catching myself at it before I saw this vid, usually after it happened, and I'm sure not every time I did it, and I'm also certain that my mental monkey-brain monologue when I did catch it (along the lines of "you idiot, you've let her drive your feet again, you know better than to let that happen!") was not helpful energy to add to the situation.
I watched this video yesterday morning, and reviewed the Beth Anstandig interview in the podcast, and took that wisdom out to the pasture with me. Another element that floated out of my own memory to join it all in the moment was a concept I'd previously heard of called "mindful walking," feeling with each step exactly where your foot is, how the ground feels coming up to meet it, how your weight shifts and the structure of your foot absorbs it, how your boot or shoe flexes with your movement, etc. The difference was an instant 180 - my filly walked as relaxed, chill, and present with me as I could have asked, every time we went anywhere on-line yesterday. Just wild, how such a simple (but not necessarily easy) and subtle shift in awareness can have such huge results and set a horse so much more at ease with what we're asking. Definitely carrying this lesson forward in my life with my little herd. I'm sure the horses thank you, too, for helping their journeying owner make things a little easier for them.
Energy is so important, animals live in the feel of the now, they aren't consumed by thinking.
Your energy, can change a horses behavior so much, I have ridden "spooky" horses, and they tend to be less and even doesn't spook, as I ride.
Then I have ridden nice, calm, childsafe horses, that suddenly acts all silly, because they don't have to "protect" me, and therefore can be their spiritual goofy self.
It's all about how I feel, the horses know, even if you don't... 😉
OMG- this is my horse to a T, head toss, I am invisible, doing what I ask but shut off, etc. WOW! (color and everything)
That flow chart is lovely! Thank You!
Thanks for another video!
Wow she’s so relaxed with you ❤️
Horses take many of their behavior cues from us; whether we're aware of them or not. 👍👍
Thanks for sharing, amazing work you do. Jørgen 😊
Hello 👋, how are you doing? I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
TY
Love the video & the turquoise bracelets (where would I find these?)
Great video.Thank you for sharing the free info for the horses.
Fascia lines in this horse look like he is not feeling well physically.
Excellent video.
_“The behavior is the communication, (and is also the relationship)”_ and that goes for both human and animal.
At any moment-basically with every breath-in every moment a dance leads to the next moment which is a) better, or b) not better.
For dogs, the dance’s desirable end will be “voluntary submission and sleep.” For horses, it looks like it’s “licks ’n’ chews,” “head lowered,” “hangin’ out.” I could be wrong, but I think I’m pretty close.
Her “backing away” is seen in the dance as a “backing away,” which won’t likely lead to licks ’n’ chews. Common sense says a human backing away leads to a disconnect from the horse, not the establishing or the strengthening of the relationship.
I welcome your comments, as always. Warm regards.
Respectfully submitted.
-The DOuGTrainer
I have a horse prone to separation anxiety. If the situation arises and I am with him... this is not a problem because he and I get to work on something... and he is a good boy. (A few times he has been extreme enough that I just hook a leg with the lead rope, and he knows, "ok, check mate Mom, you have my attention.") The problem I am having and stuck with how to solve is when I am not at his ranch and he is separated from the rest of the horses... he will run all day,,, and the next and the next. I know some would say, let him run for as many days as it takes or until he ties up and you need a vet? Make sure the ulcer guard gets in even if food and water don't... I have also heard that horses that don't know how to be by themselves are not very confident... and this can be true with my horse he is not very confident with putting his feet on or near new objects, but I can also get him to adjust to something new.. just takes a little time and patience... and I don't consider that a problem per se. And he and I go trail riding alone and that is no problem either. The separation anxiety becomes a problem traveling in the trailer alone. When he senses we are near home, he will paw and be washed out by time he is unloaded and when we are coming down the driveway of the destination of another ranch he will paw. So, I guess here is my question finally. If I were to create a set up where he would have to be completely alone and go through his days of being distraught... would the lesson stick? He is an OTTB and was cut late and probably weaned early. Are some horses just not able to overcome their lack of confidence because of their history?
Of course horses don't know how to be alone, it is a horses natural instinct to not be comfortable being alone. The species has been around for so long because a horse values its safety above all else and there is safety in numbers. Being in a herd (even just a herd of 2) is built into their DNA and you can't change that.
You hook his leg with the rope and he submits - flight is a horses main means of defense, are you sure he isn't buckling to learned helplessness? Not trying to be critical, just hoping you will consider the horse for what he is.
what i can see is that you are very good with yourself ( at least better than the average joe ), which in turn makes you better with horses than the average joe. what i am trying to say is that if the mind is a mess, the interaction with other sentient beings ( horses or others ) will be a mess. to properly interact with others, the self must be centered.
Where does personal space come in? The horse wants to come close for safety/security and that's great but is there a point where it can be smothering and how do you address it? (Asking for a friend 😁)
Same question!
My haflinger has ”company anxciety”, he gets so worried when theres other horses coming closer or in to the arena. When they leave he’s calming down and focusing on me instantly. I find that a bit strange and dont really know how to help him feel comfortable.
It’s sounds like he’s field shy. Equitation science has a good method for helping them with this
I had a mare like this, her space was about 20 feet, if horses came closer than that, she got worried. This horse is how I started into Dressage, as the mare could be by herself. Over time, going to shows and learning the other horses were not going to attack her, she got much better. Having someone ride circles away from her in the arena helped too, do the opposite of what is done for horses with separation anxiety, work slower even stand when they are near the other horse. IMO this is a "better" problem to have, as this mare was so attached to me, she preferred being with me,
I have a question though. The horse I'm working with is really scared of the flag. We have a dressage whip with a bag at the end. How should I do it if she's scared of the flag.
The exercise is to take their focus off something in the distance and bring it locally. So your horse is perfect. Have the flag behind you, when your horse gets to the end of the lead ropestart to bring the flag out, your horses focus will change to it, then put it back behind your leg.
So of this happens and you do not have a whip with a plastic bag?
I have it with me all the time when working with a horse I know may have some issues. Your question is like "what do you do when you go to the store without your wallet"? You know you were going to the store. Its the same with horses, you dont just suddenly notice theres a horse in front of you, you make a conscious decision to go near a horse
Do you believe in triggerstacking? In that point of view a horse could escalate when overloaded, for example on a bad day.. do horses have bad days? Or we could say, days that they do not behave like the 75 days prior? I get your point, but in those instances i would have needed this i did not have it, i could not foresee the situation. I have an issue with my ex trotter, when i am out hacking, she cannot tolerate other trotters who are out being driven, she throws her head and wants to go.. could the bag whip be helpful if done frome the ground in that situation?
Knowing that your ex trotter cannot thandle rotters who are out being driven, and then taking your ex trotter out there, is just asking for trouble. Why put your horse into a situation you know they cant handle?@@junegem4548
@@WarwickSchiller actually i rather wouldn't. The facility has trotters that are trained daily and the main hacking route is a gravel road with a oval trotting track halfway through it. Last year i passed there for the first time with my horse and there was someone on the track trotting and that is when i realized this was a huge issue. They normally are not out at evenings so i have walked her halfway to the track many times and then passed the track and then rode passed the track and she do not react with anything else than looking at the track but she copes fine. There is a outdoor arena at the stables and i can ride her there at day when she sees the trotters walk out and leave to the gravel road leading to the track. We had different issues at first with her leaving her friends in pasture so i rode beside the pasture for a long time and then went further away. My question stems from the thought of her someday coming to a point where she can be a bystander to the trotters but maybe that is not realistic? Does that make me a shitty owner for not "sorting" this out, that is probably other peoples thought. But i always try to make shure no one is at the track when i ride, i dread the day when i might miss that someone is at the track though.. and if i see activity i stay just at the outdoor arena at the stables. Before she had problems with other horses being in the arena at the same time but we are now at a point where we even have joined a riding lesson with her being fine. We have come a long way and i have been very careful with not pushing her. So hope this clarified my original question somewhat..
Can you have one of the trotters stand in the arena while you ride her, and go through the "16 steps with riding with other horses"?@@junegem4548
TY