# alternate alternate IFRAME : https://w.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-NRZJZTJ The Horse Forum banner The Horse Forum Search "" across the entire site Search "" in this forum Search "" in this discussion Advanced Search Cancel Login / Join ( BUTTON ) * What ' s New * Forum Listing * Showcase * Gallery * Advanced Search * Members * FAQ * Dark Mode Menu Log in Register * Home Forums Training Horses Horse Training Nervous Breakdown Jump to Latest Follow JavaScript is disabled . For a better experience , please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding . Status Not open for further replies . 1 - 12 of 12 Posts animallove animallove · Registered Joined Sep 12 , 2012 · 51 Posts Discussion Starter • # 1 • Nov 3 , 2012 I got my gelding a week ago and boy is he nervous :( he gets really shaky everytime I put his halter on and lead him around , and then is really jumpy when the train goes by ( I live near train tracks ) . I gave him some time to settle in ... But then the rain came . And when it rains , it pours . So here I have a nervous , wet and miserable horse who does NOT like the shelter I built for him . Everytime I put him in his barn he shakes all over and then when I let him go , he gallops away . I have tried numerous times but each time I am unsuccessful . I ' ve put hay in there , forcing him to eat , but he just runs away . I ' ve tried luring him in with a snack which brought me some progress but I need to speed up the process because he could be getting really sick in the rain . Any suggestions ? Posted via Mobile Device Save Share Reply Sharpie Sharpie · Registered Joined May 24 , 2009 · 2,519 Posts # 2 • Nov 3 , 2012 Horses get rained on and do just fine . Unless he is so thin that he can ' t spare the extra calories , I doubt you really have anything to be concerned about , in fact , he ' s pretty normal ! It seems like the vast majority of horses will stand out in the rain rather than use a shelter humans have provided them . So long as he has plenty of hay to munch on , he ' ll keep warm enough unless you live somewhere where the temps are usually in the negative double digits , and even then most horses don ' t have a problem . Is he your first horse ? It ' s only been a week ? Take a deep breath - you will both settle down with time . :) * Like Reactions : loveduffy and Ian McDonald Save Share Reply S Saddlebag · Registered Joined Jan 17 , 2011 · 17,293 Posts # 3 • Nov 3 , 2012 He may feel trapped in the barn or is sensitive to noise when inside . My barn has a metal roof that ' s pretty noisy in a hail storm . The horses , who go in at their option , scoot out the door and stand in the hail , butts to the wind . About all you can do is continue to place feed in there but do it in such as way that he can easily look out the doorway or opening . If it ' s raining and windy place his hay next to the sheltered side of the barn , outside . At least he ' s out of the wind . They prefer that they can keep an eye out for predators which can ' t be done when inside and they don ' t know if one is lurking around outside . During inclement weather a horse ' s senses are muddled by the weather which often makes them flightly - self preservation . Save Share Reply corgi corgi · Registered Joined Nov 3 , 2009 · 1,612 Posts # 4 • Nov 3 , 2012 Is he your only horse ? He may be nervous because some horses do not like to be alone and feel calmer withna companion . Save Share Reply animallove animallove · Registered Joined Sep 12 , 2012 · 51 Posts Discussion Starter • # 5 • Nov 4 , 2012 Sharpie said : Horses get rained on and do just fine . Unless he is so thin that he can ' t spare the extra calories , I doubt you really have anything to be concerned about , in fact , he ' s pretty normal ! It seems like the vast majority of horses will stand out in the rain rather than use a shelter humans have provided them . So long as he has plenty of hay to munch on , he ' ll keep warm enough unless you live somewhere where the temps are usually in the negative double digits , and even then most horses don ' t have a problem . Is he your first horse ? It ' s only been a week ? Take a deep breath - you will both settle down with time . :) Click to expand ... He is not my first horse , the only reason I became aware of the problem was because he shivers and does not like the rain . My property is split into two fields - they are connected with an opening of barbed wire . He does not like to go on the side the shelter is located , because of the train and road are closer . The grass is going to run out and snow is on it ' s way so I wanted him to be used to going into the shelter before then . It is not because he likes standing in the rain - he comes from a stable where he was inside and loved it - it is because he is scared and nervous . Posted via Mobile Device Save Share Reply Peppy Barrel Racing Peppy Barrel Racing · Registered Joined Aug 16 , 2011 · 2,486 Posts # 6 • Nov 4 , 2012 Feed him something more enticing then hay try feeding him with sweet feed . Put it in a place where he can still look around and get out easily if he needs to . Maybe put it fairly close to the entrance the first day where maybe he has to stick his head in there then each day move it back a little further . Until you can get his whole body in there just leave him be and show him where the food is . It may take him awhile to think about it but I bet he will go for it . I do something similar to trailer train my colts . I put their food for the night and show then its in there eventually hunger wins every time . Posted via Mobile Device Noey ' s Herd ​ [SIGPIC]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/catnoles/C4B3846B-0C4B - 47DE - 9615-9 EF8D20471CB - 1457-0 C51514425D - 1 zpsf6857fd7 - 1 zps705476 ca . jpg [/ SIGPIC ] ​ * Like Reactions : loveduffy Save Share Reply loveduffy loveduffy · Registered Joined Dec 22 , 2011 · 1,725 Posts # 7 • Nov 4 , 2012 some time it just take time put a blanket on him and that will help keep him warm ride a draft and see the world differently Save Share Reply D Darrin · Registered Joined Jul 11 , 2011 · 5,500 Posts # 8 • Nov 4 , 2012 Did you know it can take upwards of a year for horses to settle into new places ? Give him time and food , he ' ll get used to his new digs and calm down . Save Share Reply Mochachino Mochachino · Registered Joined Aug 14 , 2012 · 722 Posts # 9 • Nov 4 , 2012 Is he the only horse on your property ? I would put a sheet on him to keep him dry and just give him some time . * Like Reactions : PunksTank Save Share Reply Palomine Palomine · Registered Joined Oct 30 , 2010 · 3,860 Posts # 10 • Nov 4 , 2012 Put the hay where you want him to end up , which is the stall / shelter . Leave him a trail and let him figure it out . You may be making this worse by trying to make him go in . The more you fuss over this , the worse he will get . Ignore him . I have never yet seen a dead horse from refusing to go in a stall and eat when good food and hay is available . Horses make me a better person . * Like Reactions : Darrin and loosie Save Share Reply loosie loosie · Super Moderator Joined Jun 19 , 2008 · 23,196 Posts # 11 • Nov 5 , 2012 Agree with others . You need to give him time to settle in this new place & a week is far from it , esp if he ' s got to get used to trains , being alone , being outside , a new & untrusted human ... sounds like a very stressful change for him . Giving him some ' rescue remedy ' or such to help him could be a good idea too , so long as your giving it doesn ' t stress him more . Agree that you ' re not helping him with either the environment or building trust in you if you try to force him into stuff he ' s frightened of . Horses also do tend to be less stressed - & happier & healthier - when part of a herd , so if getting another horse or pony is out of the question , a goat , sheep , cow or such should help him . Horses generally cope fine with a bit of rain & cold , but if he is acclimatised to being kept in a cushy barn & it ' s midwinter or such , put a rug on him when the weather ' s bad . Some info I ' ve found helpful ; w.horseforum.com/horse-health/hoof-lameness-info-horse-owners-89836/ For taking critique pics ; https://w.horseforum.com/members/4160/album/chestnut-5339/pictures-12 8437 . jpg * Like Reactions : PunksTank Save Share Reply Peppy Barrel Racing Peppy Barrel Racing · Registered Joined Aug 16 , 2011 · 2,486 Posts # 12 • Nov 5 , 2012 ( Edited ) Yeah if it ' s possible a companion could really help . Around 10 years ago when I moved away from Tulsa pepper went from being with a bunch of horses at a barn to a 15 acre pasture by himself . And he was scared and had a hard time adjusting so we bought a mini mule and it made a huge difference . He just needed a friend :) Posted via Mobile Device Noey ' s Herd ​ [SIGPIC]http://i208.photobucket.com/albums/bb119/catnoles/C4B3846B-0C4B - 47DE - 9615-9 EF8D20471CB - 1457-0 C51514425D - 1 zpsf6857fd7 - 1 zps705476 ca . jpg [/ SIGPIC ] ​ * Like Reactions : PunksTank Save Share Reply 1 - 12 of 12 Posts Status Not open for further replies . Join the discussion Continue with Facebook Continue with Google button Continue with Google or sign up with email About this Discussion 11 Replies 10 Participants Last post : Peppy Barrel Racing Nov 5 , 2012 The Horse Forum A forum community dedicated to horse owners and enthusiasts . Come join the discussion about breeding , grooming , reviews , health , behavior , housing , adopting , care , classifieds , and more ! 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