Am I assuming they are more clever than they are!!

[poiuytrewq]

Two fields, top one has been grazed to oblivion, bottom one rested.
Been trying to get them swapped for ages but OH is flat out farming and the water supply is broken.
Plan was to leave the gate open, figured they won’t graze the top any more because they have been so desperate to get into the bottom, but could still access the water in the top field.

So I’ve let them through but one got “stuck” the wrong side of the fence and didn’t understand the gate etc, I may have given a little too much credit here!
Can I assume they will understand do you think ?‍?

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

I was reading just the other day about how horses are spectacularly bad at maze type puzzles (this was in relation to track set ups, and how zigzagging, or strategic blocking off etc to try and provide "enrichment" is actually just frustrating for horses- they're happier with a straightforward track). Looks like your horses also read that same study!

 

[MereChristmas]

I was reading just the other day about how horses are spectacularly bad at maze type puzzles (this was in relation to track set ups, and how zigzagging, or strategic blocking off etc to try and provide "enrichment" is actually just frustrating for horses- they're happier with a straightforward track). Looks like your horses also read that same study!

Which explains why in my many years of riding I have been carted into a tree a few times.

 

[Gloi]

We often had two fields with a gate between and if they were in the far field they'd come to the part nearest to us when they saw us. If we put hay out in the other part they'd stand there looking confused that they couldn't reach it and run around in the corner until one reached the gateway and went through they'd all follow.

 

[EASTIE17]

Seen this before several times, one will go into another field with an open gate, the other is going bannas going up and down the fence line "how do i get to him, how do i get to him, how do i get to him" have to go down and throw a lead rope on the neck to bring them up and through the gate

 

[PapaverFollis]

I was reading just the other day about how horses are spectacularly bad at maze type puzzles (this was in relation to track set ups, and how zigzagging, or strategic blocking off etc to try and provide "enrichment" is actually just frustrating for horses- they're happier with a straightforward track). Looks like your horses also read that same study!

That explains my lot on their track this year. No idea. Really bad at navigating round it. I thought my lot were just a bit thick because other horses on tracks seem to be OK. Hmmm.

"Spectacularly bad" is very apt wording.

 

[julesjoy]

Oh dear. I've got a track this year and regularly have to change it to Graze it off. They seem to be managing in fairness. But yes they are usually prone to getting left behind a fence and panicking rather than following through the gate!

 

[poiuytrewq]

Isn’t it weird!
Funnily I was stood the other side of the gate waiting to film the hoolie. What I actually got was the old boy coming hesitantly through and then me saying “oh god, no please don’t be thick” as the other realises and has that look of pure panic ?

 

[poiuytrewq]

Tomorrow morning will be interesting actually. I wonder if they will come to the gateway where I always meet them or will they think they can’t get there ?
Pretty sure if any one works it out and leads the others through the open gate (as long as they are close enough to see him do it of course) it will be the Shetland

 

[spotty_pony]

Oh yes, my mare can be very quirky and if left somewhere she is not happy will just jump out! She jumped 1m20 in the dark once to get to her boyfriend ?

 

[HashRouge]

They'll be fine once they figure it out! My Arab always gets confused by this sort of thing - I don't think her cataracts help! But once she has been shown a few times then she manages perfectly

 

[poiuytrewq]

Oh yes, my mare can be very quirky and if left somewhere she is not happy will just jump out! She jumped 1m20 in the dark once to get to her boyfriend ?

I did go over last night and put hay out. Shitland galloped through from the bottom field straight through the fence to get his hay ? no flies on him

 

[poiuytrewq]

The good thing about this situ is that the pup graduated last Saturday from puppy school and the horses have grass, there fore no reason to rush and get up ??

 

[[153312]]

I was reading just the other day about how horses are spectacularly bad at maze type puzzles (this was in relation to track set ups, and how zigzagging, or strategic blocking off etc to try and provide "enrichment" is actually just frustrating for horses- they're happier with a straightforward track). Looks like your horses also read that same study!

Link please??

 

[teddypops]

Seen this before several times, one will go into another field with an open gate, the other is going bannas going up and down the fence line "how do i get to him, how do i get to him, how do i get to him" have to go down and throw a lead rope on the neck to bring them up and through the gate

Mine did this and the usually smart sec D though she was left behind and getting in a panic. My mini Shetland went back and rescued her!

 

[SEL]

You needy my Appy. Despite dodgy eyesight she can spot an open gate or moved fence line from 1/4 mile - & if that means more grass she's got it worked out at speed ? Doesn't give a damn if the others can't work it out - all the more for her!!

 

[Auslander]

My lot take the quickest route back to the yard when they are on the track, and if I have fenced off one of the top corners, and the quick route is blocked - they would run up and down like idiots all day, rather than turn round and do three sides of the track to get to the feeding end. I have a fence hopper here, who tends to compound the situation by jumping the blocked end and galloping home triumphantly, leaving the others in even more of a panic!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Link please??

I got the pdf direct from Google, so I can't seem to find the link, but Google "university of Liverpool the use of alternative grazing systems UK" or similar and you should find it. It's a really interesting read.

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

That explains my lot on their track this year. No idea. Really bad at navigating round it. I thought my lot were just a bit thick because other horses on tracks seem to be OK. Hmmm.

"Spectacularly bad" is very apt wording.

Turns out I misquoted. The wording was actually "notoriously bad" (but I'm not sure if that's better or worse!)

 

[[153312]]

I got the pdf direct from Google, so I can't seem to find the link, but Google "university of Liverpool the use of alternative grazing systems UK" or similar and you should find it. It's a really interesting read.
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Omg thank you so much!!

 

[spotty_pony]

Just to add - today we had had someone fenxing in the field and they have left the electric fence down into the main field - was in a rush so turned out (if they get in they get in as they can't get out) and came back this evening to find the two geldings still in the field having not dared to walk over the tape on the floor - it's not even electric ? and my old mare of course had done and was happily grazing alone by the lake ?

 

[tatty_v]

Seen this before several times, one will go into another field with an open gate, the other is going bannas going up and down the fence line "how do i get to him, how do i get to him, how do i get to him" have to go down and throw a lead rope on the neck to bring them up and through the gate

this is my horse 1000%. The Shetland nips into the other field and he loses it, despite the open gate ?

 

[J&S]

My lot take the quickest route back to the yard when they are on the track, and if I have fenced off one of the top corners, and the quick route is blocked - they would run up and down like idiots all day, rather than turn round and do three sides of the track to get to the feeding end. I have a fence hopper here, who tends to compound the situation by jumping the blocked end and galloping home triumphantly, leaving the others in even more of a panic!

Been there, seen it! My old mare gets it quite quickly but the companion pony will stand there knowing I will end up taking the wire down to let her through the quick way!