4 yr old banished to a pen, now fence walking

[springtime1331]

Just thought someone might have some good ideas! My 4 year old got into a kicking match with the head girls horse a few weeks ago. My girl was seriously kicked and the vet feared a fracture. After cross tying and nearly 3 weeks box rest, we are 99% sure she does not have one. Anyway, she was turned out this weekend into a pen initially because the vet didn't want her to get up too much speed in case the leg does break down.

Anyway, it also transpires that she will have to stay in the pen full time because the head girl has decided that my mare is obviously big trouble as he horse has never kicked anything else and she can't risk her kicking or being kicked again. Sadly, though my youngster is refusing to settle charging up and down screaming and has fence walked so much in the last two days her pen is now very slippy. There are no other fields to move her to, and quite frankly I think that the groom has said slated my mare so much I don't think they'd want to turn out with her now anyway.

Is she likely to settle now? It is difficult as the other mares go to the other side of the field and she can't see them. She does have a couple of horses in pens adjacent to hers but she does not seem to find any comfort in them. Really worried they will tell me to keep her in or that she will slip and really hurt herself.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

In this situation, I think the only option is to find another livery yard.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Poor horse. She must be very stressed. Move her to another (more knowledgeable) yard asp.

 

[reddie]

I too would move her asap

 

[springtime1331]

Thank you both for replying. I fear moving might be my only option, as generally, at the yard I'm on, if a horse has been branded a problem attitudes don't change. Just seems unfair that my girl had to be in for weeks, three vets visits and yet it's her who gets banished not the other horse. All sorts of gossiping going about how 'unsocialised' she must be and that because I bought her from a pro yard she didn't learn herd dynamics. I'm the first to say she must have been being a bolshy madam to kick back at the herd leader, but sadly the herd leader is in her twenties and stiffening up a bit, so I guess horses will be horses and have a pop.

 

[twiggy2]

move yards ASAP

 

[babymare]

Move her asap. permanent life in a pen is no life in my eyes.

 

[springtime1331]

Thanks all, I too agree. I don't like individual turnout, especially for a youngster. I know it has it's place for some horses but I hate to she her so upset and lonely.

 

[monkeybum13]

You need to move. Must be stressful for the pair of you (you and the horse that is!).

 

[cambrica]

I have to agree that moving her is the only viable option unless you can alternate turnout. A 4 yo needs to be with others, especially if she is stressing now. She is really still a baby and needs some mentoring. If she's not settling on her own there's the potential of more psychological problems.