Does your horse ever give you the "cold shoulder"

[Kim~Crayonboxminiatures]

I have a mare who is very routine oriented, she gets upset when things change for example: going to the barn at night instead of staying out, if I'm late to bring them in from pasture, etc. I've had her for almost 2 years now, and I've only gone away for short weekends since I got her because of other circumstances. Last week my family and I all went away Thursday to Sunday, and I swear this mare is trying to make me feel bad for leaving her! My good friend and old room-mate stayed to care for the animals, and Frosty Chip knows her, but doesn't see her as frequently. When I got home on Sunday and went out to feed, Frosty Chip hid around the bend of the fence, and wouldn't come when I called her for grain. I finally went over to pull her over to her grain bucket, but she didn't want to come with me. Then she ate really slowly, and was acting "off" so I did the usual check list: checked her temp, gut sounds, gums, etc and everything checked out fine.

I'm keeping an eye on her just in case something is really wrong, I'm thinking maybe some left over "stress" feelings, and I did tell her I was sorry for leaving her, and while I was talking to her, she was literally holding her head away from me. After a bit of my groveling she did finally turned back to me. She is giving me the "cold shoulder" big time! Next time I will be sure to explain more when I am going and when I will be back. I know I told the horses I was leaving, but I must not have been specific enough for her!

Anyone else have a horse that acts like this??

 

[Shari]

Maggie will, specially if she feels everyone else is getting more attention than she is.

In fact she has been doing that too me the last couple of days. But she has always done this..pouting, so it is normal with her.

 

[backwoodsnanny]

Yes yes and yes We have a mare who we sold this Spring who would get so upset when we werent the ones to feed her that she even coliced once. Most of the time though she would just turn her back to you and act like she didnt hear you no matter what you would do. She too wanted you to grovel and say how sorry you were to have left her. Now we have other family membets help in the barn and we all take turns so they never are sure who will be there, We also mix up the time that we might arrive so if we have to be late its not an issue. And never mind how insulted my dogs are if we are gone.

 

[~Dan]

If I were you, I would have strangers handle her, or people like your friend take care of her in advande during the afternoon that way shes used to her. I think Ive herd of goats doing this too in some book. Sounds like spunky mare syndrom, my mare has sassy mare syndrome. they could be BFFS

and their both appys.

 

[Kim~Crayonboxminiatures]

She is fine with another family member here feeding when I am away, and we all rarely go away, so it's not very often that she has to endure a "stranger". She was back to normal tonight, so I guess I'm forgiven!

 

[susanne]

Does a bear poop in the woods?

His royal bay-ness (Mingus) turns his back and pouts if I dare to go anywhere or am so inconsiderate as to get sick -- and heaven forbid I should [gasp!] work with another horse! He truly does pout -- he actually sticks his lower lip out...

Fortunately he doesn't stay mad very long -- he eventually gives in and comes over for cuddles...

I'm glad your girl is back to normal -- now you can just laugh and not worry...

 

[Robin1]

Secret isn't too bad if I am working with babies or mares but God forbid I work with another stallion.

Of course, the other stallions feel the same way about him so I can't win.

Robin

 

[squeaky]

I keep my mare at a friend's house, and they feed her and turn her out and such. When she first went there, she didn't like my friend's husband, but grew out of that, and they were best buddies. Last Christmas, my friend got her husband his own mini to play with and oh boy was my mare MAD!! She would not let my friend's husband catch her (really not like her) and would only let my friend catch her (really not like my mare). When my friends' husband was handling her, she wouldn't turn her head in his direction at all. Finally after two weeks she started coming up to him, but she doesn't like him paying attention to hs mini.

My mare, Fancy, also hates it when I don't visit for more than a week. She normally nickers when she sees me get out of the car, and will keep nickering till I go down and say "hi" to her. I can always tell when she is mad as she won't even acknowledge me when I go to her pasture gate. She also hates t whn I pay attention to the other horses before saying "hi" to her first. Today, I was getting the cart out and such, and kept disappearing into the barn, and everytime I was out of sight, she would do a loud nicker to get my attention. On saturday, I put her back out in her pasture after working her, and she stood at the gate watching my every move. When I was done and was getting ready to leave, my boy friend commented "She looks like she is so disappointed that you are leaving her again." It was pretty cute.

Fancy is a very independant mare, and to have her treat me like her best friend makes me feel so special. I just love it when you bond with a horse like this where you can read their emotions and they make you beg for forgiveness.

Amanda

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Yes and yes Kim horses and dogs. I have found it's best to set before leaving and eye eye tell em, "I have to go away but I'll be back real soon and so and so will be taking really good care of you. I'll bring you a present. Love you"

Course when I get back there is the usual cold shoulders and nose in the air but I say "I brought a present like I promised!" and it could be an apple or cookie and all's forgiven.

Anyone who says they don't think or feel is crazy!

The doberchild will actually begin her sadness before I leave once I tell her. Now she has a blast at the kennel with her friends but I must suffer for it. Needless to say I don't go far very often. Like with horses I am still tethered close to home, but I love it.

Now I have orphan Andrew so I won't be leaving anytime soon.

Glad she forgives you Kim.

 

[lilmiraclesfarm]

Yes and yes Kim horses and dogs. I have found it's best to set before leaving and eye eye tell em, "I have to go away but I'll be back real soon and so and so will be taking really good care of you. I'll bring you a present. Love you"
Course when I get back there is the usual cold shoulders and nose in the air but I say "I brought a present like I promised!" and it could be an apple or cookie and all's forgiven.

Anyone who says they don't think or feel is crazy!

The doberchild will actually begin her sadness before I leave once I tell her. Now she has a blast at the kennel with her friends but I must suffer for it. Needless to say I don't go far very often. Like with horses I am still tethered close to home, but I love it.

Now I have orphan Andrew so I won't be leaving anytime soon.

Glad she forgives you Kim.

Ah yes the doberman! I have one at home and he is the same way. You can not leave him or oh boy does he get mad. If there is even another dog scent on you, you have to hide the cloths or he will pee on them when your not looking, and don't think about playing or saying hi to another dog. He will push you and if he doesn't get his way he starts a tantrum knocking things off tables and grabbing squeek toys and squeeking them very loudly.

Besides the dobie I have my new filly who throws tantrums. This girl has really turned into quite the angel, until I leave. lol Talk about a bond! The only people who care for her when I'm gone live on the property. They always feed them and love them. But the minute someone else takes care of her she won't walk through gates she hides from them and throws herself on the ground. I come home its all back to normal. lol

 

[RobinRTrueJoy]

I have a sweet friendly tiny yearling filly. Next spring, I will have the vet out to give her vaccines. I gave them this year, and I swear she didn't want anything to do with me for almost 2 weeks, she really holds a grudge! She got over it and is my buddy again.

Robin