Horse Behavoir

Question
Hi.

I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my neighbors horse. Yesterday I noticed he was pacing back and forth and vigorusly shaking his head. He paced in the same spot for so long that he wore a path. I worry about hom because the neighbors don't spend alot of time with him nor are they home often. Should I be worried?
Thanks in advance!

Answer
Jeannette,

I can think of a number of reasons for this behavior but the most obvious is that he's upset about something.  I've seen geldings display this sort of behavior when they are part of a group and one or more of the other horses is taken away.  It's a nervous behavior similar to stall walking.  If he's kept alone that could be part of the problem; he's lonely.  Horses are herd animals and if he's left totally alone then this could well be his unhappiness manifesting itself.  It's a shame that your neighbors have a horse and can not make time to spend with him and are away a lot.  If he's kept by himself then it's equivalent to putting a human in solitary confinement.  

I don't know what you can do about this unfortunately.  The horse probably needs a companion.  Another horse or pony would be the best but many times goats, sheep, even cats and dogs, have worked as companion animals.  Although the cats and dogs usually do it by choice since it's hard to convince cats to do anything .  You may tell them about his behavior and suggest that they get him a companion animal.  That's about all I can see that you can do unless you want to volunteer your own time to give him some company but that still wouldn't be all the time.  

I wish I could offer you more help but since it's not your horse you are limited in your choices of what you can do.  

Lyn