WWYD? Try it alone, or not?

[ayrabz]

Major excitement, cheers, jubilation, etc, etc....The 'farmette' on my mom's property (less than 2 hours away) is now finished!! All fencing (Ramm, black, three flex 'board' and black hot coat...gates, and 2 stall barn, attached 12x24 run in, and attached outdoor washrack. DONE!!! OMG, if anyone is in VA, and wants an estimate on Ramm fencing and / or barn work...you HAVE to pm me. I had the most honest, patient, 'stick to his estimate, add all your additions' professional around...who came in under ANYONE I spoke with. And I mean BY FAR.
Anyway....back to the issue. Now, I board my one gelding here where I live, and the farmette will function for 'visits' for now, but will be 'homeplace' upon hubby's retirement down the road. The best part is that it is less than 2 miles from the entrance to the State Park that has the best best best trails I've ridden. However (!) life being what it is, so often, I cannot count on always being able to have a friend and their horse come with me. So! With a horse who is nervous when alone, like mine is...if it were you, would you haul down and turn him out 'alone' and get him used to it over weekend visits, or would you (especially the first time?) wait for him to have a friend along? I can 'park' myself fenceside and just 'be' there for him...but didn't know your opinions on if I would have a real concern for 'stress colic' or not...I mean, I"d have to go inside and go to bed sometime! :lol: OH..and an important side note: My guy has never been behind electric. This will be new to him, but there was NO WAY I was going to invest that in fencing and not 'protect it'....so, there is THAT 'new' issue for him as well.
Its something I've struggled with, because such a part of me is 'I'll NEVER get to go if I always wait for a partner for him!'....and 'he just needs to deal with it'----but I don't want to be ignorant, either.
ANXIOUS to be there with him(! ) but no one to come with me.... Please share your opinions....

TIA

[gloriginger]

Hey there-

I think you should go for it. Arabs, as you know, are smart smart smart. I think one touch of the electric and he will know to stay away! Ms.Glori figured it out pretty darn quick ;)!

Also, about the alone part, I think as long as he has enough space to move around you will be fine. Glori was the ultimate herd bound mare, but the last place I had her she was 1 of 2- and the other owner would take her horse out for drives and rides in the woods. She would walk and call a bit, but nothing to the extent that I thought she would. Just tell him what's going on-and he might surprise you.

Happy trails.

[arabhorse2]

Ayrabz, when I moved into my place Casper had to come with me for the first week alone, because Conny was coming on someone else's trailer.

As spooky and reactive as he is, he did VERY well alone. Arabians are smart and as long as their people are with them, they can deal with being alone for awhile.

I would recommend getting him a companion though, because horses shouldn't be alone. A goat, sheep, or even a donkey would do for him. You don't necessarily need another horse.

I'd love to know who your Ramm representative is. I'm planning the rest of my fencing, and need someone honest. :)

[ayrabz]

Glori...so good to hear from you! Do you see Glori often? I know you were so pleased with her new home.
AH2...I'll pm you with his info. I truly CANNOT say enough good about him and his work and his work ETHIC. Really a breath of fresh air in the contractor saga. (thought I had his cell phone number right here, but I'll have to find that..then I'll pm you)
I have roll of pix, but need to get them developed, and will also get a disc..that will take a few days, and then, while I don't have any online photo hosting, if anyone will post them here, I'll email them to them for posting!
I hope others will chime in here...it helps to have input from others with horses like my guy who are fretful without their 'buddies'....I am pretty convinced I'll try this over the Columbus day weekend. But he's a true worry wart, and I'll watch him carefully! In re: a companion...I've set up my fencing to be 'mini safe'...so that when I live there permanently, I can get a mini for his company---but right now, I have to still pay board here, and cannot afford that for two, so visits for him will most likely be 'solo'.

[arabhorse2]

Ayrabz, there's no horse on the planet more worried and fretful than Casper, so I was pleasantly surprised when he didn't lose his mind by being alone.

He didn't even have the company of neighboring horses, since I was the first horse person to buy acreage in the area. My next door neighbor (10 acres over) has horses, but she and her critters didn't move in until more than a year after I did.

Thanks for the info, whenever you can get it to me. :)

[gloriginger]

I have seen her a few times, she is in horse heaven and her new owner loves, loves, loves her. I couldn't have asked for a better situation, sometimes life just works out! thanks for asking!

[nightsong]

Depends on the HORSE. Some are emotionally mature to handle isolation in a brand new place, with unfamiliar boindaries; many aren't. This doesn't mean your horse is bad or stupid; just that horses are HERD animals, and that being alone is unnatural (and sometimes HARD) for them.

[ayrabz]

AH2..you have a pm!:)
Glori..I am so glad for her! I know finding that kind of home is really difficult.
nightsong...thanks for the reply---Believe me (!) I know what you're saying. My guy IS insecure. Lots I have 'done' anyway...like trailering alone, riding alone, etc...but I've never paddocked/stalled him alone. It should be noted here that he is indeed a nervous horse, and my interest was in people's opinions on that exact scenario. Nervous 'needy' horse---new farmette you're dying to go and enjoy for visits---but would have to be solo on those visits. Would you let it 'sit' and not be enjoyed, or go and get through it?
Its been a LOOOONG summer of work on this project (started in June) and I'm of course excited and anxious to give it a try. The reality is, I try often to invite friends (even when this wasn't built...just to go to the area and trail ride) but of course they usually have their own agendas and can't just pick up and haul with me each and every time. I've come to face that, and it would never be my choice to 'go alone' if I could help it---but I don't want to 'not go' after all this investment, either.
Therefore, I do (!) appreciate the feedback like AH2 gave---she had this kind of horse, and found it to be a positive experience, not him totally falling apart as she anticipated.
Its tough---I was 'sitting' in my new little makeshift barn...enjoying the 'new smell' of the wood and the new stall mats....just acheing to give it a 'maiden voyage!":D