Separation anxiety — can it be fixed?
A common mistake owners make when trying to prevent or cure separation anxiety is to keep their horse in an individual paddock or away from others to avoid him becoming too attached. In fact, this often exacerbates the problem as when he does finally meet other horses, he’ll be even more desperate to stay with them. In many cases, separation anxiety can be significantly improved, either by changes in management or with a retraining programme. Even horses who panic at the slightest separation can have their confidence restored with careful training and a sympathetic step-by-step approach.
It’s OK to be alone
The key to resolving separation anxiety is to retrain how the horse feels about being alone by boosting his confidence and rewarding him for being parted from others. Start by separating your horse and his friend for just a few seconds and very gradually build up the time and distance. With every separation, give each horse a small feed or pile of haylage to eat so that they associate periods of separation with something positive. Then immediately return the horses to each other. Repeat the process, adding a few more seconds’ time or distance (perhaps just one step further apart) to each subsequent separation. If your horse starts to worry, then go back a few steps and start again. Simple changes to your horse’s management, like moving stables, changing field mates or altering the order in which horses are brought in or turned out can ensure a horse need never become anxious. Eventually, the problem disappears.
Two’s company
If your horse is attached to a specific individual, try giving him the company of another calm, well-socialised horse and practise short separations. When only two horses live together, it can lead to problems when they’re separated. Having another horse as company when one is removed is always the ideal. But if this isn’t possible for some reason, then as a last resort a friend of a different species — such a donkey, sheep or goat — is better than nothing. In severe cases of anxiety, it’s advisable to consult a qualified equine behaviourist who can help to create a step-by-step programme to find a long-term solution.