I was on here before with a mare that I bought with a broken hip, and she has turned out wonderfully, we even ride her lightly.

But she's always been a spooky baby, she out of my mare, that even plastic bags whipping in the wind doesn't even bat a eye, and from a very quiet disposition stud. When I would go and play with the foals while they were still on the mares, she was always skittish, and trying to flee away from me, and tried to crawl under the mare to get away from me. We started them on creep feed before weaning them, so they would eat grain, and gradually kept them away from the mares. She never went off her feed, and wasn't really upset. She was born in April, and we didn't wean until October. Is that to old? The breeder said they wean at 4 months of age but I thought that was to young? I've been working with them since October.

We have two other yearling buddies with her, and they were her pasture mates too. I read that foals should have buddies so they learn how to socialize.

We had the hay tested in the fall, I'll have to ask to see the report and see about the Lysine.

They were just at the vet's for shots last month, and I asked the vet about her eyesight and spookiness, and he looked at her eyes, and thought that it was just her disposition. She does show a little white when she is scared. Is it true that horses that show white in there eyes are spookier or is that a old wives tail?

I'm interested in starting her on the Quiessence. Can I give it to her while still on the Safe Choice?

She's terrified of the hot pink brush, and I mean terrified, like snorts and tries to pull away from it, and won't even let me brush her with it. She doesn't like the feel of the rubber curry comb, it doesn't have teeth but round numbs. She will let me brush her with the very soft brush, it's like a fake horse hair. She doesn't tolerate me scratching her but will tolerate me rubbing her gently. The minute I quit she steps away from me.

I've trained spooky horses before but never to this degree. I was told to really reassure her when she does get scared, and panics.

Where are you from? nebraska

How did you locate this forum? google

Hi Kris,

I like to wean as late as possible and there is plenty of evidence that shows how horses who are weaned younger than 6 months of age, grow up to have all sorts of behavioral issues as an adult. So, 6 months in the youngest I would wean a foal. I prefer to let it occur naturally, which generally happens at 9 to 12 months. This way, the horse has a chance to develop into a much calmer adult.

Yes, you can give Quiessence with Safe Choice -- not a problem.

So, addressing your situation from a nutrition perspective will be helpful but also behavioral conditioning is also called for -- be patient -- it takes a lot of time to desensitize a horse toward everyday objects that cause fear. And, showing the whites of eyes, when the eyes are relaxed, is just the horse's physical characteristics, nothing more.

All the best,

Dr. Getty

Where are you from? Bayfield, CO