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Q&A: Avoiding separation anxiety
2 September, 2002
Q: My part-bred Arab gelding has been sharing a field with a mare for the past few months. When we take her out he panics, urinates, runs around in a very distressed state and even tries to bite. Are there any homeopathic remedies we can use to help him with his anxiety attacks?
Homeopathic vet Nick Thompson replies: It sounds like you have a case of loneliness with insecurity, or 'separation anxiety'.
The top three remedies for patients feeling lonely, forsaken and lacking in confidence are Pulsatilla, Argentum nitricum and Stramonium.
I would dose the appropriate remedy at a 200c potency daily for seven days, then dose as necessary when the effect of the remedy has worn off.
As these are not the only remedies available, I would advise you also see a complementaryveterinary practitioner.
Most horses like to be touched and patted but the Pulsatilla horse will rush to see you.
Other physical symptoms to look for include their dislike for being enclosed in stuffy boxes, much preferring a well-aired stable or being outside.
They do not like getting over-warm, either. They often don't drink much and any discharges will be yellow-greenish.
These animals tend to be spooky, are very emotional and love company for this reason.
Anticipatory anxiety - before a show or even of being left on their own - is very common in these types.
Generally the Arg nit animal is a little neurotic. Like Pulsatillas, they, too, dislike the heat and like cold bathing and cold applications.
We often see neurological problems with these animals - wobbling, and movement and co-ordination problems.
This can stem from an intense fear of being hurt or from being alone in the wilderness - these animals dread abandonment.
Specific fears for the Stramonium horse are reflections in still water or the sight and sound of running water.
Also, claustrophobia or a fear of tunnels can be seen. They sometimes have twitches or ticks.
At worst this can manifest as epilepsy and other fits. They are better for being in company and being warm. One bizarre feature of a Stramonium patient is that conditions, which are usually very painful, appear painless in these individuals.
All these types of animal hate being left alone, so you must work out into which group your horse fits, and treat him accordingly.
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