Stressed horse on big yard

[InigoJollifant]

Just a moan I think as I don’t really have a question except that I don’t know what to do!

Bought a pony 3 months ago and moved her from her small private yard (3 of them IIRC) to a yard of 24 horses, lots of coming & going etc. Been having some issues with her, and vet indicated that she thought she may be stressed being on a bigger yard. Just had her scoped & ulcers been confirmed, and vet strongly recommends we move from to a smaller yard. Easier said than done!! Have got an option of a stable/field but she’d been totally alone there so that’s not ideal either…

There are always smaller yards (I have one myself). Go on your local FB and ask for recommendations. Talk to your YO, I'm sure they will understand why you are looking to move. Make sure you give adequate notice.

I’ve already tried 7 smaller yards locally which don’t have space, thats why it’s so easier said than done.

Sorry you are in this situation. It might be worth asking for recommendations on Facebook, but also for a stressy horse finding a yard that has a routine of some sort, like horses turned out and brought in at the same time etc. routine can make a world of difference. Also for a stressy mare I highly recommend magnesium oxide. You can buy it on amazon for £6. I hope you don’t mind me asking, but can I ask which issues you have had with her?

She’s always been rude on the ground but increasingly grumpy & had a big explosion when her field mates were brought in… that’s why we had her checked. Loss of topline & head shaking in trot.

Good point about the routine on a big yard - ours is very much lots of horses doing different schedules.

I just don’t know whether our vet has a personal bee in her bonnet about big yards or whether she really would be better off in a field on her own - vet wants us to move her to start treatment in new environment, but the only place available she would be on her own…