Good Job: yep, agree 100 percent, this guy gets it - If you don't create this problem you don't have to fix it. Don't keep a horse alone and give them a buddy and you don't have these issues, then you get the selfish horse lovers that use the excuse if I let my horse with other horses, he gets buddy sour, he does not come to me, so he does not love - you can't fix stupid - Horses are NOT buddy sour, they are Herd Animals that find comfort and safety with groups. There are none so blind as those the do not want to see.

The sad truth. So many people think something is cute or love and it is an anxious behavior. Education is needed - thank you for shining a light on this.

A horse that I recently met and started to train, always greets me with a soft neigh or gentle snickering. She loves food, but she tends to raise her head from the hay and nicker when she spots me from a distance. She doesn't do that to other humans, for some reason. I am not the one feeding her either, so it could not be that. Anyway, she doesn't rush to the gate immediately but will walk to me, if I enter the pasture. I would not change that, for I love the feeling of seeing her relaxed like that and that seeing me does not cause any exaggerated feelings in her. She is happy and confident, without being over the top like this horse in the video.

I think seperation anxiety is bad, but having a good bond with a horse is not. My horse doesn't act like that but knows me and likes me, I think its hard to tell sometimes which is which but you make a really good point.

I kind of think of it as my horses see me as sort of an extended herd member. I don't feed them most of the time (I board them) so I'm not the food lady. But when I walk into the pasture, they'll always walk over to me to greet me. If I have a halter, that's when I put it on. If I don't and I'm just saying hi, they come over, let me rub on them a bit, see if I want them to follow, then go back to eating (or whatever they were doing before I came in) if I don't. It's impossible to know if horses are capable of love like humans think of it. But they are capable of affection, respect, and trust. If your horse shows that towards you, at least you know you're doing something right!

My daughters horse has separation issues. When she starts being anxious about walking away from her mate I walk her in different directions and move her feet so that she focuses on me. Same technique you show for leading a horse. She calms down and has a lot less worry. I wish I knew how to do that 20 years ago. Also as soon as I unload my horse from the float I walk them around so they follow and focus on me, they are then less concerned about being in a new place. Thank you so much it has changed the way I handle the horse and we are a lot better for it.

"you're not gonna reach over the fence and crack her over the head" . . . LOL! You are funny AND GENIUS, Warwick! Good on you!

I'm formulating a training method compiled solely from comments disagreeing with professional trainers.

There are soo many people that need to hear this!! Thank you for another awesome video!

Great video! I love how honest you are about things and how well you can get your point across!

Horses are herd animals, they need other horses for company whether they share a paddock with other horses, or they have other horses close by if they are in their own paddock. I had some separation anxiety issues with my mare when she was young, over me not other horses. She always had the company of other horses, so I simply let her basically get over it. Which she did very quickly. She's always glad to see me when I turn up,pays attention to me when I have her out of her paddock, but perfectly happy now when I leave. As long as you don't encourage or facilitate the unwanted behaviour, the behaviour will stop. Love your horses, but don't baby them. They need independence and confidence to be happy and balanced.

Great vid! I'd like to see Warwick expand a bit more on why separation anxiety is bad for the horse (eg. they lack confidence on their own, actually feel unhappy rather than happily 'in love' with their human, may have increased injuries due to panic etc) and bad for owners as horses are distracted with worry, cost more with injuries, can't be relied on in certain situations etc. Also it's a totally resolvable issue! :-) Love Warwick's vids!

I know a man whose horse would get so happy when he would see him and talk to his horse telling him little "goo..goo..gaa..gaa.." words and give kisses. Whether in or out of the field. He would come running to greet him. I feel it depends on the situation and how the owner or owners have interacted with the horse.

Your teaching really helps my understanding. I love to learn all this! Thanks so much (from America) ❤️

Thankyou Warwick, that is so interesting. Bless you.

thanks for showing me the difference. it's good to know

An excellent and throught-provoking video. The "around the corner" test is a good way to distinguish between "my horse loves me" and separation anxiety. I'm glad Mr. Schiller didn't give us the "answer" for how to fix it. It's much better to think about the idea and then go see your horse and ponder. Two other points: you may get the "follow along the fence" behavior if you hand-feed your horse treats. And I've rarely seen this kind of behavior in horses that are kept in a paddock with other horses. I'm not for or against either of these two things, just sayin' they are additional things to think about.

My horses love their grub and each other. The best I can hope for is their trust and respect and I love them for giving me that.

i have the companie of a horse.he belongs to a friend who does not use him anymore.he lives on a mountainside by himself with some sheep. when i can i go and visit and we go for walks and play some games. i am very grateful..as i like to learn.althoug i would like to see him with other horses i am not in a position to change the situation as yet.the one that had to realy get over the separation anxiety was me.took me ages to relax and trust he was ok.after i left.typical isnt it.taking myself way too serious:)thanks for the videos.

Well if that's the case I'm glad the horse is with you. You work your magic resulting in soothing his anxiety. Can't be a good thing such anxiety. What a strong beautiful animal.

I'm so grateful for this vid! So many young girl riders think it's cute and love when their horses act this way because the horse "loves me".

this guy is on another level! brilliant

My horse has improved so much in everything now that he is living with 39 other horses on a very big property, it's magnificent

Another invaluable lesson :3 You're the best

I loved this video. It is so good. It is exactly like that. You put a bridle on and they d pretend they don't know who you are no longer. 🤣🤣🤣

HORSE: "Who is he talking to?? Is there someone out there?? Where??" LOL!

Warwick you always set me straight. I think one thing and then I watch one of your videos and I’m like wait a min, he makes sense and I’m wrong. My husband can never see this comment. 🤫 😂

Thanks heaps. Love them

Thanks for these Videos Warwick. Btw that is a beauutiful horse.

Very interesting demonstration!

Thanks for another excellent video.

She acts like one of my ex boyfriends.

I have not ridden for 14years and i am a 68 yr old woman. I was given a horse at a riding scool near me in France. It was a 15yr old arab. the first time it was all over the place but didn't blow; as other horses were around - but yesterday he exploded about three times - i asked the 'teacher' what was the problem and she said 'he feels afraid on his own in the school'!! I was not warned about this before hand. Added to that - horses were being fed in the stalls around one side of the arena and people were mucking out every time the horse bolted it was where the activity was - or near the gate. The trouble is that when i turn up at a riding school (with my worn boots on) they get 'the baddy out'! Everyone be warned. My French is not perfect either, so it's difficult to tell them what i think - but they have lost a customer.

Spot on Warwick!!!

El caballo es una animal magico ... disfruta nuestra compañia y detesta estar SOLO.A mi edad de 11añitos recuerdo el caballo que habia en casa de mamma vieja , no me dejaban ni acercarme al caballo; en ese verano la gente de campo duerme una siesta .yo ni con un palo me hacian dormir siempre tenia travesuras por hacer y una de ellas involucro al tostado y a este servidor , Bien :Estaba solo y se aburria de estar solo en el potrero . De cuando en cuando pegaba unos resoplidos y salia retozando y tirando s pedos y volvia apegarse al porton mientras se entretenia jugando con su badajo , y me miraba y relinchaba bajito y se miraba el lomo. Era la clara invitacion a la travesura , escale por las tablas del porton y me le sente encima!!! Que emocion!! Agarre un buen penacho de crin y esperando el corcovo, ya que sus orejas estaban chatas y quieto como una estatua de sal y para ponerle punto a la cosa espere que respirara e inchara bien de aire la panza . Mis talones descalzos eran como dos agujas y me afirme en un buen talonazo Pego un ronquido y un pedo y salio retozando conmigo encima derecho a al cerco de tunas Caballlo!! Para! ¡Nos espinamos todos y en una manta de trebol me eyecte; rode por el suelo y el dio la vuelta y me sono la nariz en la cara y se echo a mi lado ,cosa que aproveche para saltarle de nuevo encima Entonces si dimos la vuelta a todo dar al potrero adornado con patadas y mas pedos. Llego al porton y paro jadeante; la panza se hinchaba y desinchaba con el jadeo, me sudaban las manos y las piernas desnudas mezcladas con el sudor del caballo. me latia el corazon como para salirseme del pecho radiante de alegria De nuevo esa tarde dimos varias vueltas al potrero una mas rapida que la otra asi disfrutamos las siestas de todo un verano..

Dancing Mischief, my daughter's almost 7 yr old mare we've had over 5 years and I TRAINED, meets us at the gate between 4-7pm every day, even when we don't get to stop. It's TREEEAAAT time, petting time, messing with her ears and hooves and tail etc. The rest of the time(she's in a 40 acre pasture/woods/creek/ALABAMA FARM enclosure) I get to yell, " KE KE KE! MISS CHIEF! SHOW YOUR BLAZE!!" and even tho I often have to go get her, I know her favorite areas and she's ALWAYS looking in my direction, even if I come from a different direction. She was a yard pet almost always for around 3 years, and the first 9 months she was ALWAYS in the yard. Which is why I yell what I do-the KE KE KE is to get ALL my animals attention. Then I yell which animal. Since she was in the yard, and she's a lovely bay, I taught her to "show your blaze" to turn her face towards me in the house so I'd know she was there. She was stolen once, and this was how I discovered it early enough that she was home within 12 hours. She's a full quarter horse, NU CHEX TO CASH Granddaughter, 16 HANDS!!!(I'm 5'1"; good thing I ride bareback mostly), can spin on a dime, lovely gaits(not fun getting them there lol; trot trot terror trot engage your ankles witch; THERE'S A SPEED BETWEEN TROT AND RUN FOR THE ROSES you crazy equine hello it's called a Canter technically the people around here call it a Lope!!!!!) She misses us badly now the other horses are gone, so she pouts at me regularly. Thank goodness there's not a mean bone in her since she's VERY smart. I chose her myself, trained her myself, and she knows I mean business. My daughter is her human and she takes care of her human. Me-she loves me, but hates to admit it. She'd have followed me right out that gate, and wandered about grazing and pretending to ignore me, but I do NOTHING she doesn't notice. I can use any tack, or nothing more than a halter with the lead on one side of her neck, Lakota style. BUT YOU DA MAN AND I LOVE LISTENING AND WATCHING YOU!!!

Beautiful horse!!!

Thank you for the videos and all of your videos. Now my question is, how to solve this issue?

beautiful horse. great condition

Love your video!

My left ear loved this

Brilliant! Excellent explanation!

What a beauty of horse you have

EARTH ANGEL 😇 I just feel that when she gets up close to you she just feels comfortable and confident with you and she 's THEN ok with that and is inquisitive !🤔🐴😳

34 barn witches disliked video

You're amazing how much you can read horses, I know it's separation anxiety, but it's kind of adorable :3

My justice meets me at the stall or gate but it's mostly for food. We do play games, like chase alot and she loves it. But she never gets upset when I leave to continue my farm chores.

YES, I have NEVER flattered myself about my horse "loving" me when I leave and he starts pacing, running around and whinnying. To me, it's immature behavior and not particularly flattering. Another type of frantic behavior is looking for treats, which led me to drastically reducing the frequency of treats.

My horses couldn't care less about the horses left behind in the pasture when I take one out riding; it's the ones who get left behind that have a fit! The one I take out for a ride doesn't even look back at the others lol

Please could you put up a video of what we can do to fix this? Would be helpful! :) xx

Good gracious, that animal is magnificent.

my boy comes over and neighs at me, but when i leave the paddock with him he follows me he might want to nibble at some grass but as soon as i walk off he comes with me

To me it looks less like separation anxiety and more like "HEY! There's someone there who can open the gate for me and let me out of this boring paddock where I don't have anyone to hang out with! Hey guy, hey, guy, HEY DON'T WALK AWAY LET ME OUT OF HERE!" And just like the cat or dog that is your "best friend" before feeding or when they want you to open the door, DUH OF COURSE she is not as interested in him as soon as she gets what she wants: OUT of the boring paddock. I see this more as a bored / lonely horse than a horse with "separation anxiety". But hey, I'm no horse expert; I've just known a heck of a lot of animals in my time.

My horse doesn't do that he just always follows me wether I have a Halter or not, But he does get angry and anxious when it's are 6 cause he knows it's feeding time. but he does pace all the time but only once it hits 4(cause They used to feed him around 5) But if it's earlier and stuff he's fine but when I get there he does come running to the fence to see me so now I'm confused. I think it's cause I go where I board him everyday at the end to feed him and he thinks I'm gonna feed him or something but even when my friends ride him he'll try to follow me and refuse what he wants them to do cause he'd rather follow me. Would that be considered Separation Anxiety???

This is true but not all the time. My mare actually does love me! When I go to catch her up and take her out she doesn't pull away. She stands there patiently!

My horse does this off and on apart from he pays very attentive attention when i bring him out

Great video.

Haha u are great, how to explain love. thx

The horse I used to own, didn't have this problem. The horse I train now, has but only as far as I can tell with one horse. After he got separated from her he only has it if he gets to say hi to her. I love the change, unfortunately they will be put back together once the cold hits. Which i really dread. However, I remember having a discussion with my old horse, about who had to go through the mud xD. She did come after a bit though, and some encouragement xD, nothing like this. I don't know I learned to keep their brain busy eventually it becomes easier.

She is beautiful!

So what would you do to help the anxiety? I have a mare who does this. She isnt that bad when we bring her out though

So my horse comes up to me in the paddock and when I put her back she stands by the gate for about ten minutes and opens her mouth in a really weird way. She doesn't actually make sounds though but when I walk away she starts running down the fence line after me. I'm guessing that's separation anxiety?

That's what I was thinking too. Similar questions. Wondering how this Warmblood was raised too. Perhaps behavior may be same even with other horses around. Wondering if horse was raised away from a herd, so looks to humans for security vs even other horses perhaps. Mine were raised with other horses in herds through 5 years old. They looked to each other for security when first arrived with me not being part of their equation. Took awhile to change their view of world at new place here.

what a gorgeous mare...

Horses can love. They can get attached. My mare does not have separation anxiety. She won't meet me at the gate however she spots my truck and meets me with a soft expression. She'll use her upper lip to nuzzle me a lil then she'll be an angel to ride. She won't do this to anyone else. Know why? She loves me. She knows I'm mom and won't hurt her. its a completely different story when the horse has been hurt or neglected Just as my mare has

I feel like u pointed out a problem but did not give a solution... either way loved the video and I want to learn more.

Mine did that for each other when they first arrived and definitely didn't think I existed. Would go berzerk out of sight of each other. I wasn't on their radar. I did see them having each other as their security and safety, as a herd of two when arrived. Mine were raised in herds of horses. -- Would this warmblood behave this way towards you being focus, if another horse was around? Or are humans as her "herd" by how she was raised? She needs a human for security vs another horse? More please.

I wouldn't like to see the anxious behavior if I left my horse- but horses are not meant to be left alone (survival instincts kick in) and this is probably why she's anxious. If another horse was with her, and you left, what would her behavior be? I am wondering, when you put her halter/lead line on, and she "ignoring you" is she only "ignoring you" because now, she looks to you as the decision maker- and she's waiting for you to make all the decisions,now allowing her to look around?

My pony did this when we got her and even jumped out of her paddock but was fine when we got her a companion but she has no bother being ridden away from him

SEEMS NO MATTER HOW MANY HORSE PEOPLE I MEET, EVERY SINGLE ONE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION ON PRACTICALLY ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH HORSES. FROM WHAT KIND OF BIT TO USE TO HOW TO TRAIN YOUR HORSE. Its just funny to me. Some say of you walk into an arena and your horse comes up to you, he loves you or at least is curious about you and wants to be with you. Others say he is invading your personal space. I think horses are about as individual as people are. After a horse learns basics, its all about the horses personality and the bond between you and that horse.

Horses with separation anxiety have no leader, so they're constantly worried about things. You need to be that leader to your horse and show them that there's nothing to be worried about. For example, If your horse is just walking around on the end of the lead rope like that horse was, and you're just following them and letting them do whatever then nobody is the leader, if that makes sense. I would definitely advise to watch more of Warwick's videos he explains it better than me. :P

I understand that one of my horses may have social anxiety, but does that mean I should do something different? She is a very new addition and a baby, so I imagine it makes sense that she would feel this way. She is out 24/7 with 3 geldings. I stayed with her for days until she established herself within the herd a little more. She demonstrated very similar behaviours to this horse. I have done little horsemanship, but she will follow me when she is out of the field and when I wonder in the field. Is there anything I need to do, change, look out for? Or do I accept my horse may remain like this? : ) Appreciate anyone's feedback

My horse never walks away from me and he Kisses me all the time and cuddles me.🐴🐴🐴🐴

Normally the only way they got excited about you is when you give treats to them. Other times they just tolerate patiently everything which is done to them without any visible emotions (just relaxed). The separation anxiety makes them exited about you too, because you are the only way to calm them down, but the panic returns every time the horse is left alone. So, have a buddy for your horse, if you're not planning to stay with your horse 24/7. :)

I love that big chestnut horse

The horse doesn't give a shit about you, she wants to be by other horses. When she sees you, she thinks: "Oh! He's gonna bring me in!" So she follows him, wanting him to bring her where the rest of the horses are. Horses don't get love and comfort from you, they get it from the herd. Notice as he halters her and brings her back out, she couldn't care less about his presence. She is clearly waiting for him to bring some place, other than somewhere by herself.

Sometimes my horses walk out to the gate sometimes they don't they're always there to greet me when I get home from work they get a little padding and then they walk away when I asked him to do they have separation anxiety or do they just care to see me

I've seen this before myself. Dogs will do the same thing. My cat has done something similar. She loves me, but there are days where she could care less. If they love you, they listen to everything you "say."

This is very true. However, is this not a managment issue, not behavioural? Horses are herd animals, individual, isolated turnout like this would not help help reduce anxiety. My horse is turned out with all 15 mares and geldings on the yard all year round. When she was turned out in isolated, small groups she was stressed and showed behaviour like that mare. Does this mare still do this when turned out in company? Something to think about. Love your videos Warick, keep them coming

So my horse does these stuff but when i walk away he doesnt go kind of mad like this mare does he just looks at me and when im holding the rope he follows me when i moove or if i dont he will stay next to me or eat Has he got anxiety? (Sorry for my English im french)

my horse is exactly the same as that horse but only with other horses not humans if i leave him in stable over night he will end up in a state sweating an tha neighing constantly aswell !! so in the morning i went to give him his breakfast an he was more interested in charging at the stable door so i brought him out tyed him up he was not having an of it he was pawing at the ground an rearing up only had him 6 months

Mine is a Good horse then, lol he just stands still when I go to catch him, and when I leave he goes to the other horses and eats. haha

My mare will run up and nicker and everything, but thats only when I call her which I've done as a cue for its time to work and interact. She doesn't pace at the fence or freak out when I leave though. She's just happy to go yeah ok now I can go graze, and then when i call "Ohh work time" or "Play time" whatever I'm doing with her. Whether its just some ground work with the ball and having her stay respectfully by my side without being jerked around or riding. Is this a positive thing? She will come up and nicker and ask for pats, but she isn't freaked about me leaving, I can go in without calling her to clean the paddock and she doesn't give a damn. She also remains responsive to me. Will walk beside me on a loose leadrope while the stallions are calling out and prancing.

100% get it!

Nice mare!!!

I have 5 horses and they all do that my herd includes 2 mares 2 geldings (both senior one blind) and a stallion. Live in a mixed herd. They all act like this mare. Its it still separation anxiety?

my horse follows me like she did at the start I put his halter on him I open the gate and he backs up with the gate like I showed him then we walk threw and he turns around and faces the gate with me then we back up and close it then I put the lead rope over his back and he follows me where ever I go around the farm and stops when I stop and all that is that anxiety or just good training? cuz now im worried ):

Ok Warwick, what is the fix?

It looked somewhat like that horse was looking to get out of the fence and go home. Just similar to a dog at a kennel, except it's obviously not the exact same thing.

Excellent :)

She is a beautiful horse. An Arabian? She looks like a female version of my gelding (in his prime). So, what can be done for horse's with separation anxiety? It looks like you have to have at least 2 horses? I had 2 horses - husband and wife. The wife passed away, but the husband never appeared to have separation anxiety in the years that he lived after she died.

I had a mare ,that Richard Shrake had said quote, “ In all my life of judging horses & working with horses & their owners, I had never seen a horse who loves their owner as much as this mare loves you. What’s your secret?” My reply was “ when you start paying me $1500 a day to learn under me I will tell you, but I am the student you are the teacher.”

My horse nickers and runs up to the gate when he sees me, but he's still very good when I catch and lead him, he still focuses on me. Maybe he sees me as a leader? But I do believe horses can love us :)

Nice looking mare:-)

My horse is a only like this in storms or when she's not with her friends

I appreciate you showing this but what do I do about it? Thank you!

Hi Warwick, In regards to your reply to Maisie Rhodes. I have the same issues with my son's pony. He is alright if he is with my daughters pony but seperate them and he has a meltdown. Yesterday at Pony Club, fancy dress parade, all good until my daughters pony had her costume put on - sheep ( full hood & rug covered in pillow stuffing) when he realised he couldn't see her he lost it, neighing, jumping around, pawing, you could say he was getting very distressed. We eventually put him the round yard to try & calm down , no such luck, pacing, neighing, we even tied another horse to round yard but that didn't even work. He did not care, he only wanted to get to Patch. Please help I do not know what to do. We bought him from a riding school & is 16 yrs if you need to know. Thanks, Tracey Mackay

Good people amen

My horse comes to the gate when he hears my car because he knows I’m there to feed him 😭

sometimes my own horse comes to me. sometimes he does not. the buddy he has in the paddock (who is the dominant one) always comes first and then my horse 2nd. even so i know my horse loves me anyway/