At 20:09:36 on 10.06.11, JaymeeLS wrote:
She's never had a problem until a neighbouring piece of land decided it was a good idea to ride their off-road motorbike up and down the field. The mare was in such a colic-like state, she was sweating and foaming, and had made such a mess in her stable being so terrified. I guess it's because it is enclosed and she panicked thinking she was trapped. But now, she won't settle in the stable and is looking out for them to arrive. At the minute it's not a problem to keep her out in the field, but if we can't break this fear then it will be a problem in the winter. Any ideas?

At 22:19:28 on 10.06.11, plodalong wrote:
some horses settle in the stable with a mirror,one that is especially made for stables.it could be worth a try.

At 13:44:29 on 13.06.11, bazz94 wrote:
Put her in the stable for 20seconds and let her out again, let her graze a bit (to help relax) then go back in for 20seconds, keep doing this until she walks in calmly. Then increase to maybe 40seconds or even a minute?? Depending how long it took for you to get her to relax after 20seconds and keep increasing until she's feeling good. Maybe at first stay with her for the first 20seconds and then leave her alone when she's more calm and come back say straight away at first (when she's calm) so she knows that you'll come back when she's calm. When you get to maybe 10mins go back to her staying in there for only a minute and then back to 10mins and then to 5 mins. I do not know if this will work but hey it's pressure and release. Just keep at it :) It may take 30mins or it may take all day, best do this on a saturday or sunday when you have plenty of time and do not need to rush anywhere. Like one of my fave quotes: 'When you have 30mins, it'll take all day, when you have all day, it'll take 30mins'- Monty Roberts

At 14:21:47 on 14.06.11, JaymeeLS wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions! I should have added a bit more detail really. (I'm rubbish at explaining things!) She does walk in calmly, but once she's in there she's on red-alert waiting for something to happen. I stayed in there with her and a few carrots, but the slightest noise she was back by the door looking out. She wasn't panicky, just unsettles, she gets panicky when she's on her own though. So I guess do what you said Bazz94 but in turn of leaving her in there on her own(where she can't see us) for 30 seconds, go back to her, then a bit longer, etc? :)

At 12:50:44 on 15.06.11, bazz94 wrote:
Glad I could help :) Have fun and good luck!!!

At 20:55:18 on 19.06.11, horsevid wrote:
When your neighbours are motorbiking, can you leave her out in the field, ideally with some other horses who are not concerned about the bikes? She will probably be better if she can run around and burn off soem adrenaline. Make sure your fencing is safe of course. If you're there, you need to walk around like nothing is happening, while you keep an eye on her. If you are watching her constantly and givign off anxious vibes, she will pick it up. Try sighing or yawning a lot - it really helps. As bazz says, getting her used to spending small amoutns of time in the stable will help. Ideally have another horse in the next door stable too. Make the stable a nice place to be, perhaps have some treats in there for her to eat when she goes in. Sounds like you are willing to practise, so I think you will be OK by winter - just stay calm around her so she picks up your confidence. Annabelle x

At 23:15:09 on 25.06.11, JaymeeLS wrote:
Thanks Annabelle. The problem with the 'neighbours' they're only renting the land so they don't really care what they do down there, nor do we know when they go, they don't do it at a certain day/time, it's just when they can, and no one can be down the stables all the time so when no ones there we have to leave her out. She's not panicky about it when she's in the open when he's there either. She's fine in the stables at the moment, but if she's in there when he next goes, it may be all back to square one. My aunt doesn't have any other horses either to be in the next stable along. She had Saffie as a companion for her TB youngster and circumstances saw her have to let him go. IF she had another (she was heartbroken over letting her TB go and has sworn she won't ride again) she'd have a youngster and that wouldn't do any good for Saffies stable problem, if anything the habit could rub off on the youngster possibly? It's very strange that she's taken a disliking to a motorbike, her previous owners said she's good in traffic, and my aunt had construction work down the stable the other week and the heavy machinery didn't bother her one bit! It's all weird! Thanks for the advice! She's always being spoilt with treats too haha x

At 10:18:17 on 26.06.11, Dazzle wrote:
What about leaving a radio playing when neither of you are there. If you start by playing it when you are there, hopefully she will link the sound of it playing to you being there and feel comforted when you are gone. Just an idea.

At 13:00:43 on 29.06.11, Thelwell wrote:
It could be the sudden noise when they rev the throttle that is making her hyper alert. I agree with Dazzle about using the radio, I have had success with it. It can be used as a background noise so that other sudden noises don't stand out as loud in the silence of a peace ful day. This is similar to using a radio on low with a baby so every little noise does not startle them. Good luck, we have some inconsiderate bike yobs moved in down the road, you have my sympathy.

At 16:45:35 on 30.06.11, 97ellabella wrote:
Hi there, I understand your problem as I have a problem with a lawnmower company next to my stables! What I did to calm the fear of my pony was to put a radio in the stables, so when you are gone, the radio is a comforting voice. Try to find a station with as little music as possible and more discussions! It helped my pony a lot, and a mirror could also help! XOXO hope this helped! X