Between a rock and a hard place -WWYD?

Klix

Well-Known Member
Joined
28 August 2012
Messages
254
Visit site
Nothing has changed, same field, same neighbour horses, same diet, same exercise regime, the only thing that has changed is the weather!

Now my mare is usually very good about going out, my YO are very understanding and appreciate that fields will get trashed when its wet, but said horse is taking liberties!

She goes out after everything else has been t/o so the scene is quiet everything is eating however within the past 2 weeks mine will go out for half an hour/hour and then she's had enough. She will gallop around and around and try to wind everything up (luckily they aren't bothered!) and it's driving me insane! None of the other liveries are down to bring her in - not that it their responsibility as they all work full time, but so do I. The only opertunity I have to bring her in is in my lunch hour. By which point she is white in sweat (she's fully clipped with full neck rug only l/w to med weight now I know she gallops) and in a right state. And I'm wondering wether I should just leave her in 24/7 and ride everyday which is possible.

She is ridden 6 out of 7 days anyway but maybe i should just turn her out for an hour at the weekends where I can keep an eye on her? What would you all do? It's not just the field getting trashed but also her injuring herself. She perfectly happy being stabled I just think its a shame.

I have tried leaving hay out there, feeding her breakfast out there, leaving treat balls and she has plenty of grass so I really needs some second thoughts!!

Thanks
 
Unfortunately we don't have that service, im only on a small yard and it is purely d.i.y, which wasn't an issue when she was happy to be out, it's only until very recently that she's started to do it. My lunch hours haven't changed an she still comes in and goes out at the same times. It just so frustrating!
 
She literally only gets a token feed of an evening for supplements, other than that rationed hay as she is quite a good doer, never gets treats ect other than attempting the treat ball in the field.

She may be coming into season, would be about right, but she has never done it before and I have known her for 3 years owned her for 1 .. I guess could always be a possibility, if so would there be anything to help her with it? I'm not too keen on calmers or a hormone based supplement as she's not Marish to handle or ride..
 
Chances are that there's probably less grass than before & she's hungry. Either way if she isn't happy, I'd just stick her out while I did my jobs am & pm during the week & ride, then wkends for however long she's happy to be out.
 
Chances are that there's probably less grass than before & she's hungry. Either way if she isn't happy, I'd just stick her out while I did my jobs am & pm during the week & ride, then wkends for however long she's happy to be out.

Ditto this.
 
Mm I wouldn't imagen she's overly hungry IMO, she's only just had another quarter of her field opened up which hasn't been grazed since last summer, so it's still quite long although maybe doesn't taste as nice or have any nutritional value! I may try just sticking her out for the hour whilst I muck her out and get the yard done and see how we go...
 
Mine started doing this for no real reason, used to live out all summer inc on her own overnight no probs then suddenly decided one winter se didn't want to stay out for v long at all and was doing what yours is doing. Ended up with ulcers because of this, had them treated and had no choice but to get someone to fetch in after a few hours or if weather bad leave in. Luckily got a routine with a friend fetching in so currently doing about 8-3 at the moment. Am lucky got friend to help or don't know what I'd do! Still no idea why she started not wanting to stay out, even now the minute she sees me or friend anytime of day she wants to come in NOW even if was happily grazing before!
 
Chances are that there's probably less grass than before & she's hungry. Either way if she isn't happy, I'd just stick her out while I did my jobs am & pm during the week & ride, then wkends for however long she's happy to be out.

Same here.
 
I feel your pain! I'm in the same position, but mine's getting out of his field! It's driving me nuts, no change in circumstances yet he's decided he won't stay with his best mate in his field. :( 10 minutes of rolling, playing then I turn out another horse, check and no pony in the field. :(
 
Last edited:
Goodness cinnamontoast! I'm not sure what I'd do if mine escaped.. I'm sure it would be carnage so not worth thinking about.. Claire, did your horse get ulcers as a result of stressing in the field or was that the cause of stress? Regardless did s/he show any other 'classic' ulcer symptoms?
 
Top