I just don't get it...?

Question

I recently moved my mare to a different barn because we moved states. At our old barn she would pace the fence until you brought her in, trail riding she had no confidence, and riding in the arena she would just pull stupid stunts (like suddenly refusing to move forward or suddenly just flying off the wall). A lot of these problems stemmed from 1) being a lesson horse who was allowed to get away with everything. 2) I had no confidence in riding difficult horses when I got her so I encouraged the behavior (this is no longer an issue. Her stunts don't scare me. I've owned her for about 2 years now). 3) I suspect a guy got ahold of her at one point right before me owning her and screwed her up pretty badly to certain things, as he did with most horses (I can't prove this but it would make a lot of sense given the circumstances and timing of events). 

Anyways since moving she is a completely different horse! I can ride her on a trail no problem (still a few confidence issues but they are mostly related to water and they were 99% better than they have been), she never paces in turnout (in fact my barn owner has complained to me of her being hard to catch, which I kinda just have to tell her tough luck cause I can catch her in under 30 seconds), and while she isn't perfect in the arena she has yet (knock on wood) to pull any of her stunts! I even got her up into gait (she is a Paso Fino, so a corto) without much complaint from her and even got her listening almost completely off leg cues and even doing pole bending (sort of). This was all within a week of her being at this barn. No one else has ridden her and the only other person to handle her is for her to be turned out, brought in, and fed.

I just don't get it, why would a move like this cause such a change?

? · Accepted Answer

That's great! She must be happier.

? · Answer

My horse did the almost the exact same thing. He before lived in a barn where he was in a smaller stall, we weren't allowed to pet them, and show horses never got turned out. When we moved to our current barn, he was so much happier. They'd also found a lame leg that he'd apparently had years, but no one bothered to notice. They realized he wasn't a hunt seat but a Western horse. He's so much more fit and he just loves everyone. Due to his lack of socializing, he's not allowed with other horses outside and is put in the outdoor arena to run around, though. Horses can adapt to those changes quickly, and if they like it, they'll definitely show it. She sounds like she loves her new home, and she seems much more relaxed. A small change to us can be a huge change to an animal.

Becky S. · Answer

Some horses just do better in different environments.

My mare was pretty nervous with her old owner.  She was accomplished, but spooked a lot and was just nervous all the time.  She's been at my place with just my gelding for company (instead of at a boarding barn or in the company of many horses) and she has calmed down so much.  She still gives me a bit of a ride from time to time, but she is nearly a different horse.  I kind of attribute that to different riding styles between the old owner and I, but I think the change of environment was better for her as well.  She just seems to do better with less activity and a similar schedule from day to day.

Missy B · Answer

My first thought is diet / exercise. Perhaps the quality of feed is much better, so she isn't as hungry, or gassy. Or perhaps the feed has much lower sugar or protein. 

Maybe she just isn't buddy sour yet, because she hasn't connected to a certain horse back at the barn (yet?).

Don't forget the weather though. During summer, my horse is quiet as a lamb. 3 other seasons of the year he is a HANDFUL!

These are just some ideas that pop into my mind.

Fizzgig · Answer

It's true. Some places make a horse miserable. Like working at a job you hate.

Driver · Answer

Don't question it - just enjoy it!

Who knows why the sudden change.  It surely has to do with a whole new environment.  The behaviors she associated with the old place no longer apply in the new place in her mind.  Do what you can to keep it that way!

I just don't get it...?

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