Depression In horses

Question
We bought a 15 year old mare of mixed breeding 2 years ago from our local riding stables where she has lived, as far as I am aware for the majority of her life as a school horse. She has a sweet temperament, she would never bite or kick anybody, but she does seem  depressed. Her life now is a vast improvement of how it was, needless to says she is not worked 24/7 in the constant routine of plodding around a menage with novices on her back. She is now well looked after and loved, has fitted in well wih the herd and has had several boyfriends in this time. Yet after 2 years of this improved quality of life she is still institutionalized, unresponsive to affection and attention from the ground, and seems to have a instilled sense of self preservation. Obviously she is loved to bits, but it is frustrating and dis-heartening to see her still like this.

Are you able to provide any insight or advice as to how or why she is still unhappy? Is there anything that we can do to help her so that she is happy? We seem to be doing all we can!

Answer
HI NIki!

Hmmmm.  Yes I have seen this before.  I have come to realize that horses (dogs, cats, birds....etc.) all have varying personalities just like humans.  Some are just who they are.

I have owned and trained seemingly indifferent horses that view all humans equally and appear to never show any interest or affection to one in particular.

But, Then I saw the relationship between one of my boarders and her gelding evolve into something truly deep and meaningful.  I will call him "Carrot" and her "May" to protect the innocent.  LOL!!

Carrot was a longtime shcoolie who was pretty numb to life.  May was a first time horse owner and fell in love with him first for his safety and abilities (and good looks)but, she did not notice he was aloof.  She just got in his face and started with constant talking and grooming and of course, FOOD!  She would clean out her produce drawer at home and bring him everything in it!  From cauliflower to celery to watermelon!!  Now, no one had ever introduced these strange and yet tasty items to him before and he started to respond to her.  Sure, he got the normal treats but, he remembers the odd ones and asks her for them.  He will kiss and speak on command as well as bow. :-)

She taught him all these things through love and reward and attention.  I would have to say without doubt he was a hardcore case and she melted him like no one else ever could.  He now worships her and in my opinion, she never even knew how disinterested he was!  That to me is the funny part ~

So, add a wide variety of treats and activities to her life that she has never seen before, make sure you are the only person who introduces them and get ready for the love to flow!  It's worth a try!!

Good Luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange