Right, I need help (please)

[spotti]

It's official. I have got no idea where to go from here. Not a clue. Not a bean, nor a sausage...(guess I should get to the point really...)

Faith is a git. She's being difficult to catch from the field (she sees me and walks off! Anyone else and she either stands still or goes over to them, but not me. Oh no, she's off!), she tries to bite me when I ask her to go forward (ears flat back to her head) and has been challenging me again - rearing and bucking at me and the likes...

I've tried being nice, I've tried being firm, I've tried pretty much everything I can think of yet none of it seems to be working - that's where you guys come in.

Only thing I can think of that would cause her to not want to come in (for me) is because she associates me with work. I know the way to solve that would be to not do as much work, have fun and make what we do varied, but I'm trying that except we HAVE to do something everyday to keep her hocks moving. Strange thing is that she's lovely once we're out of the field, its just leaving it that's the issue!

...oh what am I going to do?

[haffyfan]

Spotti...she probably dosen't want to leave her friends...she might be worried they will go away and leave her (like Blue and Asha did)

I would work with her as if it's seperaation anxiety and see how it goes....take her to gate then let her rejoin friends, take her just outside gate then rejoin, take her out feed her, rejoin and gradually move her away from friends a little more each time but always returning her.

[spotti]

Only downside to that plan is that she's not allowed to stay out all night, so she will have to leave her friends at some point...suppose I could bring her in when her friends are also coming in...that could work.

As for Blue and Asher, I never thought about it like that and how them leaving had affected her - she was on her own for a few weeks after. Maybe she didn't get the chance to grieve/say goodbye. Oh I feel really bad now. Poor Faith (I think lots of hugs and kisses are in order when I see her tomorrow).

[this is why I love you guys, and also why its good to get an outside view on things...sometimes an issue can be spotted from a distance that you just can't see when you're in the thick of it. Thanks Haffy Here, have a karma for being so helpful ;D)

So for separation anxiety, do I just take it in little steps and give her lots of praise for doing them?

[Blonde Donkey]

dainty and savvy have serious separatiin anxiety(sp?) just take it slowly so that she knows she will always go back to having horses around her. when boxer and radar left sunshine was upset for weeks until we put him in with savvy. he just wanted someone to play with a horsey bud rather than us lot who just cuddle him. also when you get her out of the field could you give her a small treat to say well done

[spotti]

Mmmmm....treats will be coming out tomorrow me thinks. Thanks guys!

Here, Sav, have a karma

*edited* Ok, it won't let me...I'll give you one in about an hour!

[duckles]

Don't worry about it Spotti, a horse being difficult coming in from the field is a very common problem. Whatever the reason, you will work it out but try and make it easy for yourself in the meantime. I would suggest trying to make all the horses come to the gate, shaking some nuts usually works and then bring in Faith and another one. Coming up with the other horses takes all the pressure off her and you. I prefer to get the horses to come up to me rather than following them around the field- it just gives them too many oppertunities to get away. JB always comes up to and has never given a bit of bother. COri used to me really difficult and that is what i did and now he comes running up when I call. Worked for me anyway. Good luck