New Problem -- She Won't Come In The Barn

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Permalink Reply by Jackie Cochran on January 9, 2011 at 5:27pm

Is the floor a different color inside the door she won't enter?

Was it real dark going in that door?  Sometimes it takes a horse a while for its eyes to adjust from brightness to dark.

Could she have slipped there, or hit her hip-bone against the door?

Is there a different horse in the stall by that door?

Ah, horses.  I have scratched my head so many times trying to figure the beasties out that it is a wonder that I have any hair left!

Permalink Reply by Ashley on January 9, 2011 at 9:54pm

Awesome that you got the join-up ;)

 

I second Jackie's ideas; are there any new circumstances inside? Or perhaps has the weather been causing noise on the roof? (ie rain, wind causing branches to scratch, etc). It could be that her eyes need time to adjust, too. Horses are funny creatures. If you find that there is nothing different, I would suggest a bit of approach and retreat. So for example: lead her up to the door, if she doesn't go in, immediately back her up 10 or 12 steps and try again. If she still won't go in, back her up again. Eventually curiosity will kick in and she'll wonder why it is you don't want her to go in there. This is a common and very effective way to teach things like trailer loading which also involves going into a small dark area through a doorway. Though if she was having no problems entering through this door before this, I'm not sure why she would be refusing now... ? :) Best of luck!

Permalink Reply by Jocelyn on January 12, 2011 at 4:06pm

Alright, I'll try that.

And she didn't have any problem before, so I think she's just testing me.

 

Thanks again.