Bringing in a New Young Horse in the dark

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Joyous70

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I have just taken on a rising 3 year old mare, who at the moment is out in the field with my other pony. She has been led up and down the track in daylight only, I work full time and generally now the clocks have gone back most people have left when i get there at night, i am getting really worried about trying to bring her in when it is dark, they have a good half a mile of track lined with heges, makes even the sanest horses spook, and im really unsure how to tackle this. Any advice please :)
 
Can you pay someone to bring her in for you while it is light? Or perhaps do a swap and turn out for someone in the mornings in return for them bringing in?
Otherwise can you move to a field nearer the yard or even get the mare brought down to another field whilst light, so you don't have so far to come.
She might surprise you and not be spooky at all.
 
Joyous70 said:
I have just taken on a rising 3 year old mare, who at the moment is out in the field with my other pony. She has been led up and down the track in daylight only, I work full time and generally now the clocks have gone back most people have left when i get there at night, i am getting really worried about trying to bring her in when it is dark, they have a good half a mile of track lined with heges, makes even the sanest horses spook, and im really unsure how to tackle this. Any advice please :)
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Is there any way you can do it in half light first? My boy was just under a year when he first had to come in in the dark (so we had about 5 months together before having to do this) and I was like you, worried about how it would go. Luckily I never had anything like a half a mile to walk and I really do not envy you this and really have no advice to give other than say good luck. I did find with my boy that he was actually better behaved in the dark, I do not know why exactly but he has always been better walking in the dark than the light! Although I do have to bring him in tonight in the dark for the first time at his new yard! Again, hope all goes well.
 
how is she in daylight? the dark doesn't make horses any spookier IME (they see perfectly well in the dark provided you don't stick a torch in their face). Provided she's not antsy from the others already being in it shouldn't make any difference unless you are nervous.

Am guessing this isn't an actual road? (I have to bring mine up a country lane so plenty of hi viz and lights). If you are worried then some sort of controller headcollar (I have a be nice for my youngster) and a decent length lead rope (but not a lunge line), wear gloves and a hard hat.
 
I wouldn't worry at all. Wear a hat and gloves. My youngster spooked a little the first time she saw a torch but after I realised what was up with her (was trying to catch her :o) and I switched it off til I'd caught her, she was completely fine with it on after that.
 
:) Thanks for your replies

Unfortunately there are no fields closer to the yard i can use, and although i could pay someone to bring them in it would add quite a bit extra to my livery - at the moment im happy for them both to stay out but wanted to be able to bring them in at night if i wanted to.

I think maybe i should just man up put my hat and gloves on, and take her for a walk down the track (yes it is a grass track) in the half light as suggested, then take it from there, i think if i had 6 months of bringing her in and out in the light i wouldn't be so concerned, but ive only brought her in 3 times so far
 
I wouldn't worry about it, chances are she won't do anything. The track and route is familiar to her and horses can see perfectly well in the dark.. Don't make an issue of it..
 
If you are fine, your horse will be fine. :)

I find horses are no spookier in the dark. Keep your torch off while you catch her then switch it on when you set off walking.

I have to bring in 4 in the dark, 2 at a time. The 2 youngest are 15 months and 2 years. I lead then together, down a muddy cow track over a concrete pad bridge with no railings etc then up through the farm yard. They are fine, no different to how they are in the daylight.

Deep breath and be confident! You'll be fine. :)
 
echo starbar.

dress yourself for success - hat, gloves, boots, headtorch.

dress her for success the first few times - bridle or controller headcollar and long leadrope. You may well find it's fine with a normal headcollar and rope very soon.

have a titbit in your pocket.

have enough time to do it.
 
I wouldn't mind dark but would definitely not do it in half light. In my experience this is when they are at their spookiest. Mine are mainly at their calmest in dark.

I'd do it with her like normal in dark, but with people on site knowing what you're doing. Also what's she like with torchlight? One of mine is a bit jumpy and would be very careful with keeping the torch steady, others don't mind.
 
Get yourself a head torch rather than trying to hold a torch - you need both hands free. Practice using the head torch with her in the field so she is used to that first. My lad got used to the head torch very easily and quickly.
As others have said, if you are confident and think nothing of it, so will your horse.
 
hat, Gloves, lunge line. Go to the field and do exactly the same as you always have done in bringing him in. Be calm and confident and pretend nothing is different. Good luck :)
 
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