I got a new horse this week, if you can consider something 20-years-old to be new. He had been a teaching horse at the local university for the last 9 or so years, and the time had come for him to get a new career. Between my soft spot for old teaching horses and an open space in my pasture, I took him in.
Unfortunately, the steady old boy I knew is not who is in my barn at the moment. I wouldn't call it separation anxiety since he is not calling out for his old friends, but he certainly is not settling in at his new home. The mares are indifferent to his presence, so he spends his time on pasture frantically trotting in circles. He's also too nervous to eat; good thing he was a bit of a chunk when I brought him here on Monday.
Through this process I have learned that Prozac can be given to horses. Technically it's the generic form, but still, Prozac! So far it has translated to an hour of peaceful grazing before he wants back in the barn. And he is actually eating hay finally when he is in the stall.
The mares on the other hand are not too happy about being cooped up in the barn when there is plenty of green grass to graze. Luckily they are adapting, and I've been rotating their pony-sitting duties.
On the other hand, I am reminded what a pain it is to clean three stalls.
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