[Horselover2080]

I have a three year old Palomino (this might explain it). Love him to death but ever since we got him he has started to act really strange. When we bought him, he was quite quiet (we took many unepected trips to the barn he was at), well that is until we got him home. Now he paces back and forth in his stall until he breaks a sweat. And he has gotten very attached to our arab. When we take the arab out of the barn he paces so fast that he slams his own head into the sides of the stall. Another thing is that when I ride him he has no problems having a fleet of harleys go by but if a bicycle goes down the street watch out.. he goes nuts. Anyone have any behavior advice. I think he's nuts. Its kind of funny though. He is such a big lug!

[Blistering Winds]

Youth has something to do with it. He sounds like he's never been off his old property.

Time will hopefully calm him down at your place. You might think of not riding him until he adjusts to the property. probably take a week or so.

As far as the bike, AFTER he's happily calm in his stall and turnout....get a bike and put it next to the fence. Try not to have it in the fence cause a lot of horses will get stuck and hurt themselves being too curious. (head between bars and such)

[Horselover2080]

Thanks for the response...I will definitely try the bike thing...we got him about 5 weeks ago, actually maybe four. We thought it was a combination of the feed he was on, it was exactly what his previous owner was feeding him, (too many oats), and how new the place was. We changed his feed which has helped him improve a little but he still gets out of control. Sometimes I get really worried about his safety since he will really slam his head into the side of the stall. I guess I should give it a couple of more weeks to see if he calms down.

[Blistering Winds]

Sounds like he's already "buddy sour" as someone else put it. If he's hurting his head, might want to put either bumpers up or a head guard when you take your other horse out until he gets the idea. though unless he actually hurts himself, he won't know he's hitting so hard.

[hOrSeCrAzEeE120]

Has he ever been off the property? it sounds like he is very attached to that horse. i would slowly, maybe move then from the stalls so they cant see each other. And with the spooking thing, make him pay attention to you, give him a little squeeze or kick, or bend him. My old mare was the exact same way or she would rear, if she saw something scary.

[Blistering Winds]

My horse is trained that when something scary comes, turn and look at it first. Gets him in a mind set, and me in a mind set to hold on tight if it's something really bad. He'll turn so sharply sometimes, it can get pretty scary, but in most situations after he sees it, he calms down.

[Sandra-A1]

I would keep changing who is stalled next to him if at all possible.
Also I might try putting a halter on him and tying him in his stall when you see him start to stall pace. Have someone, or you, stay nearby (but out of his sight) in case your needed.
He has a lot to learn so hang in there with him. He is not that independant a horse and you are going to have to teach him that he will be fine on his own at times. His stall pacing is, as you know, him being fustrated with wanting to stay with his friend. I would tie him to a good spot in his stall and then take his buddy out. Keep an eye on him because he is sure to protest. Do tell him to "WHOA-Stand" if you think he knows what that means...and if he doesn't it's time you taught him that whoa means just that! Stop and stand still. Tieing him will keep him from pacing and help him to learn to be patient, which he is not! wink
As for the fear of bicycles...you will have to get one and make sure he sees a lot of it. (Parked around your place as well as being ridden.) Looks like you are going to be riding a bike up and down you barn hallway and around your place a lot for the next several months!

[bay_blnd jmpr07]

i personally wouldnt tie him up in his stall when the horse is taken out of sight. even if u r there he would still start pulling and might not let u near him(or it could be too dangerous to get near him) and he could seriously hurt himself

[Horselover2080]

Well he has never left the property since we only got him five weeks ago. Although in two weeks we are going to be taking him to a more equiped training facility for the winter (needed and indoor arena), so then he will be in a new place with a lot of different horses. I know his age has a lot to do with it also. I don't know how comfortable I am with tying him in his stall unless I shank him. I would fear that he would keep pulling until he broke loose. We usually do keep him in by himself for a while when we put AZ out. I like to lunge him in the morning before I put him in the pasture, just so he knows that he needs to work before he gets rewarded with seeing AZ. Funny thing is that as soon as I put him in the round pen and we start working he is fine. He doesn't scream or throw his head or grunt like he does in the stall. He does this a lot too just for a jealousy reason to. If we are in the barn and are nowhere near his stall. He just paces....he works up more of a sweat in his stall then he does if I lunge him or ride him for an hour. I guess i am going to try the whole seperation thing. See how that works. I'll keep you updated.

[Horsebrat20]

I just noticed your from RI. I'm from Exeter RI! I think thats pretty cool considering there are people from all over the world on this forum and 2 people happen to be from the smallest state in the US.