Feature: Separation anxiety

FEATURE

Separation anxiety

It’s almost time for your eagerly anticipated holiday, but have you made all the appropriate horse care arrangements? REBECCA NADGE has some suggestions.

Your tickets are booked, your bags are packed, and your work phone is switched off. It’s holiday time! But what happens to your horses while you’re away?

There’re plenty of things to organise if you’re planning a trip without your beloved equines, but that doesn’t mean you have to feel separation anxiety when you leave them behind! With a bit of forward planning you can put steps in place to ensure they’re as well cared for as possible so you can enjoy your wellearned break.

Feeding

The ideal scenario is to make as little change as possible to your horse’s routine while you’re away. If someone is coming to feed your horses, find out in advance what time of day they can visit. If you usually feed in the mornings but they can only travel to see your horses after work, it could pay to change your feed time prior to leaving so there isn’t so much disruption by the time you go.

Any changes to diet will need to be planned in advance and introduced gradually to reduce the risk of colic. If your horses have been in work but will be left unridden while you’re gone, you’ll need to revise the amount of grain they’re fed. Make certain there’s enough feed to cover the time you’re away, or ensure your horse-sitter knows where to source more. The same goes for making sure there’s plenty of hay or pasture in the paddock.

Leaving written instructions is a good idea regardless of the level of experience your horse-sitter has. It’s amazing how many details can be forgotten even if you do run through the process with them in person. Be very clear if certain feeds need to be soaked first or if horses should be fed in a particular place or

ABOVE: Ensure there’s plenty of feed in the paddock and that fences and watering troughs are in good order. FACING PAGE: With proper planning, you won’t feel separation anxiety when you leave them behind.

order - you owe it to your horses to be as thorough as possible.

Rugging

The time of year comes into play here, but planning ahead will work in your favour. Consider what’s possible for your horse-sitter. Rugging your horse may not be advisable if they’re only able to visit once a day. So if it isn’t possible for your horse to be rugged over winter it would be preferable to leave a rug off during the autumn months to allow them to acclimatise. The last thing you want is winter rugs left on during a warm day or cotton rugs getting soaking wet because no one was able to change them in time, and that means you need to make a call early. The same goes when deciding whether to clip your horse. Will you have someone available who’s dedicated to daily rugging?

Vet care and emergencies

unfortunately accidents happen and horses seem to be particularly prone to injuring themselves at unsuitable times. Depending on your relationship with your vet, it can pay to let them know you’re going away and to have a chat about the type of procedures you would authorise if a decision needed to be made quickly and no one could reach you. If you draw the line at expensive or risky surgery then communicate this in advance.

Remember, if something does go wrong there will be little you can do even if you can be contacted – so ask yourself if you trust your horse-sitter to make a judgement on your behalf, and be sure to leave them with your vet’s contact details so they don’t have to scramble to find them in an emergency.

In many situations it will be obvious when a vet is required. However, there are also plenty of scenarios when this isn’t as clear cut, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Reassure your sitter that you would rather they contact a vet if they’re in any doubt. This will save them the angst of trying to make a call on your behalf, and it will also help put your mind at ease.

If your horses are staying on your property, make sure the water supply and fences are in good order before you leave. You’ll be kicking yourself if a faulty tap or loose wire that should have been fixed ends up causing problems. If possible, leave the details of a friendly neighbour or someone handy who might be able to help if something unexpected happens. Just because your sitter is great with horses doesn’t mean they can turn their hand to fixing a broken pump or fence!

Natural disasters could also be a consideration depending on your area. Having a contingency plan doesn’t mean you’re paranoid – it always pays to be prepared. If you live in a bush fire prone area and you’ll be away in the height of summer, plan in advance what to do and who to call for help in case your horses are impacted.

Rugging will depend on the time of year, but plan ahead so your horse is adequately cared for in your absence.

Shoeing

The length of time you’ll be away is likely to be a main consideration here. If your horses will need shoeing while you’re gone, organise this in advance and make sure a suitable handler can be available. Pass on your farrier’s contact details so any loose or pulled shoes can be dealt with promptly. If you’re away for an extended period and your horse won’t be in work it may be easier to leave their shoes off, although this won’t always be possible.

Exercise

If you have a serious competition schedule your horse may not be able to enjoy a holiday while you do! Find a suitable rider even if this means making some sort of compromise. You may prefer to have them work your horse solely on the flat or hack out rather than trying to jump. Stay realistic about what you can achieve upon your return, too. Your horse’s fitness (and your own!) may have been impacted by a less vigorous schedule, or it may take a few rides for you to both get back in sync.

Training and handling

your horse is to handle, the safer they will be if someone else has to look after them. Bear this in mind even if you don’t have a trip planned in the near future: after all, what happens if you have to leave suddenly for an emergency? Horses that haven’t had the necessary training aren’t just a risk to the handler – they are also a risk to themselves. Suppose there is an evacuation order for your area and someone else needs to catch and float your horses. Could this be done and done safely?

Say thank you

Looking after someone else’s animals is a big responsibility - any fellow horse owner will know just how much your horse means to you! It’s important to recognise the time and energy your horse-sitter has put in and not take it for granted. Agree on a rate of pay prior to leaving, or at least purchase them a gift as a thank you. Having someone trustworthy to look after your horses will take a huge weight off your shoulders and allow you to relax and fully enjoy your break.