horse troubles?

Question

ok,
my horse has come from a stable with 50 or more horses. she is now a only horse sence 2 weeks ago she moved to my house. She will no longer load in her trailer and is having a lot of touble with triing to bolt as she bolts almost every time we put a lead rope on. this is a very new bhavior. What is wrong with my horse who was so well behaved 2 whole weeks ago. (i boarded her for 3 months before i took her home)

Answer 1

Horses are herd animals, they are not happy with out another equine companion (although sometimes goats can be good companions). It is borderline cruelty to keep a horse alone. Human companionship is not enough, get your horse another horse, a donkey or pony. Even a goat if worst comes to worst. Your horse's bad behavior could be in large part due to being stressed out from being away from her herd.

Also, since now your horse is at home, and you are likely the only person handling her, she could be acting up because she isn't getting the same handling she was at your old barn. You may be letting her walk all over you unintentionally. While she was boarded she was most likely getting handled daily by very experienced horse people that would not allow her to get badly behaved, when you handled her she would maintain her manners because she realized she wasn't the boss. Now that she is only handled by you she is most likely figuring out that she can get away with a lot more. You need to teach her that she still can't get away with bad behavior, work on her ground manners, don't let her pull you around, you need to be the 'alpha mare'.

Answer 2

It sound like she a little insecure having been around so many other horses and now a little skittish. You could try a friend for her. Many people I know have a goat or donkey. I had a Stud Horse and when I first brought him home (As a Colt) I had a Pig. It was funny, he curl up his tail and snort, as he had never seen a pig. Horse thought he was a pig, the pig thought she was a horse and my dog was confused what to think. In time they became good friends. The horse and pig would lay together and play. It was funny to watch the pig running and bucking with the horse. Oh, well, it was strange, but, interesting.