Bringing in three

[Patiencepending]

Looking for ideas please.
I have 3 - 2xandalusians and 1xShetland. All are good to lead individually. I can lead two together comfortably. I usually have my partner to help me take the third in so I take 2, they take one and we all go in or out together.
When they are not around, I want to be able to get them in easily. At the moment I have someone to help every day really so it’s not a problem, and will be rare in the future but I’d really like the security of knowing if I need to I can just get on with it.

On the odd occasion where I have been trying to experiment I had been allowing the Shetland to go in ‘free range’ while leading the other two, and this had been ok until the last time I did it where the two Andalusians wanted to canter in after him - with me attached! oops.

I could lead individually I think except that leaves one to panic in the stables or in the field. The Shetland is naughty leading on his own but is pretty good really and is likely to be the most patient in the stable alone but this leaves me with the two Andalusians and the dominant mare will be concerned if she can’t see the shettie and likely to want to rush.

One yard I worked at they used to just free range them all in and out but one time one wouldn’t come, so I had to catch them. On seeing that the others had gone and deciding he did want to go in, he spun and kicked me to get in faster! I worry that teaching them to run in and out without
being lead is not a good lesson. But perhaps I am overthinking it.

looking for ideas and experience please or perhaps I need to just keep with the one at a time and work really hard on them getting used to it!

I realise I’m probably overthinking it but here we go. Please be nice ?

 

[Marigold4]

I lead two and third goes free range until we get to the gate. I leave a couple of piles of haylage near the gate, take one in to stable where haylage is waiting, then go back for the other two. This works well for mine.

 

[MissTyc]

I semi free range - all headcollars on, then we all walk together to the gate - usually I lead from behind. I have a secondary gate in front of main yard, so we also walk free together from field gate to that second gate. If yard is empty, I open up and they can find their own stables. If it isn't, I hang a high value haylage net on the gate and get them in one by one from there.

 

[Peglo]

Old Peggy goes free range coming in. Their feed is all ready so she goes in and tucks into her feed. Other 2 aren’t so reliable, might go in the wrong stable etc so they get led. Going out, OH usually helps but if he’s not there Peggy will be let out of her stable while I lead the other 2 and she potters about the shed until I come back for her.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

If they are too keen then perhaps:
Let Shetland follow last unless going to upset others.
Or, tie Shetland to gatepost while bringing in big ones then return, perhaps leaving a handful of nuts on the ground for him?
Mine walk on the yard loose but it takes some work to get them used to it. If I'm not there for any reason then I advise which order they come in on halters.

 

[ihatework]

It’s probably good for them to learn not to be attached at the hip every nanosecond.

I’d do 2 trips and get them used to each being the solo one!

 

[Patiencepending]

It’s probably good for them to learn not to be attached at the hip every nanosecond.

I’d do 2 trips and get them used to each being the solo one!

The two Andalusians are both ridden and sometimes go out together or just one so the Shettie is used to being on his own in that situation and the gelding is good left with the Shettie but the mare is unhappy whoever is missing. They are in their stables when one gets taken out. So perhaps I just need to get them used to it in this different context like you say! Practice it more

 

[Melody Grey]

I lead three together with no problems. Horse in each hand and then the pony behind one of them on a long rope. I always have the same configuration so everyone literally knows where they stand. I have a 15hh, a 14hh cob and the pony is 12hh though, so your sizes might be different. Also helps that although they have their quirks, none are kickers.

 

[maya2008]

Put the two best behaved in one hand and the other in the other hand, then off you go! Practise as needed in the yard/school if they are misbehaving. I can happily lead 4/5 at once, but they are all well behaved and know the drill!

 

[HashRouge]

I used to lead two and let my old Arab bring herself in when I had three to bring in. I could have brought one in first, then gone back for the other two, but it's a bit of a trek and it was just easier to let her come in loose as it was perfectly safe and there was nowhere she could go that wasn't an enclosed field. In your shoes OP I would bring one in individually, then go back for the other two. I know you say that your dominant mare will rush, but I think unfortunately it is the best alterative. You could rotate who gets brought in first. I know it can look very dramatic when you have a horse having a bit of a paddy because it can't see its friends, but they are safe in their stables, so unless you think you've got one that might try and jump out, I'd just leave them to get on with it. It's only for five minutes or so!

ETA I have just seen some people recommending you lead all three at once. I would never have been able to do this with the ones I had, as my old Arab kicks and the only horse she can be led with is my Welsh gelding (her BFF). The three I had to lead are also all quite lively and it would have been quite hard work managing them together safely!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I used to have three, only two now but even so I mix things up-single, double, one first and then the other.

 

[Peglo]

ETA I have just seen some people recommending you lead all three at once. I would never have been able to do this with the ones I had, as my old Arab kicks and the only horse she can be led with is my Welsh gelding (her BFF). The three I had to lead are also all quite lively and it would have been quite hard work managing them together safely!

I also couldn’t lead all 3 of mine. None of them could not bicker for a minute or so while coming in. They need their own space.

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

You've all missed the obvious answer.

Buy another horse. That way you dont have to leave one in on it's own while you take the other two out.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I always lead 3 together. The strongest in my right hand, TB left hand very short rope as he bites, old boy left hand long rope so if he uses his brain he can keep out of TB’s reach.

 

[FlyingCircus]

When I had 3 to bring in and put out I rode one and led the other 2.

 

[SEL]

I have an extra long rope because no one wants to walk next to the Appy. I tend to let the draft free rein to the gate (he meanders in) with his headcollar on, then he can either free rein to his stable or I clip the long rope on.

Fortunately the pony is a star and if the Appy and draft are being silly she'll usually put herself away if her door is open

 

[AmyMay]

Bring the Shetland in. Then go and get the other two In together.

 

[Tiddlypom]

I always bring my 3 in one at a time. In many ways it's simpler. I prefer to handle them 1:1 anyway - that is personal preference. I was badly kicked by crowding horses when I was young, which has made me very wary of being squished between horses.

They are expected to get on with it re being briefly (or longer term) the only horse stabled/the only one left out. All newbies soon cotton on, inc the rescue fosters.

 

[Starzaan]

I used to work in polo so always just lead as many as I can get my hands on. I normally turn out or bring in five at a time. It just takes practice and patience, and knowing the horses you're dealing with.

 

[Esmae]

I fetch in and turn out 3 together every day. It took them a day or 2 to get with the programme but they've cracked it now and it saves a lot of messing about.

 

[milliepops]

I always lead 3 together. The strongest in my right hand, TB left hand very short rope as he bites, old boy left hand long rope so if he uses his brain he can keep out of TB’s reach.

when i had to bring in 3 this is what i did, too. I had my 2 in my left hand as they were fairly trustworthy, and the tricky one on the right.

Bringing in one at a time depends on your set up i think. where i have stables now it's a long walk between yard and field and leaving one by itself is a bit of a gamble if the horse is the type to kick off about that... you'd be gone 5 mins. a lot can happen in 5 mins if the horse is a bit nutty. Fortunately only have 2 there so they go in and out together.

 

[Equi]

I free range my 5 minis. Mostly because I can’t be arsed catching the friggers lol they know the routine and oblige 99% of the time.

 

[Sleipnir]

I lead three together with no problems. Horse in each hand and then the pony behind one of them on a long rope. I always have the same configuration so everyone literally knows where they stand. I have a 15hh, a 14hh cob and the pony is 12hh though, so your sizes might be different. Also helps that although they have their quirks, none are kickers.

Was going to suggest this exactly! This is how I lead groups of three or more - those who stay in the rear part of group are lead in long (3.5m) ropes.

 

[tatty_v]

I bring my two horses and Shetland in together - two in one hand, one in the other. I leave all but the field gate wide open to make it easier. Otherwise Shetland waits at the gate and I come back for him. The other two might call on the yard for him but they cope just fine ?

 

[millitiger]

I lead my 3 together, I don't have time to be messing around with multiple trips.

Youngster in left hand, older boys in right hand with the herd boss in the middle of the others to help me keep the peace!
All works fine and they know the plan when we get to the stables and who goes in first etc.

 

[atropa]

It is doable to bring in three at once but you do run the risk of upsetting/inconveniencing other liveries if you're on a yard and it doesn't go quite right. I generally do three at once in summer then in winter I do a mix of who goes out first, going out in ones, twos, threes etc - two of my three are prone to extreme clinginess and my field is far from the stables but they are so much better settled and behaved now than when we started this routine. Generally bringing in my oldest, dominant mare comes first herself then I go back for the other two together.

 

[Annagain]

How far is it to the stables? I'm assuming it's a minute or two that they'd be in / out on their own? Even if they're stressing in that time, it's not long so they should calm down again pretty quickly and start to get used to it. I'd just bring them in one or two at a time and keep changing it up to make sure they're all ok with being in or out alone. I bring 4 in every night and other than M who insists on being first and keeps the others away from the gate just with an evil eye, they all mix and match. M will allow A (and only A) to come in with him but A's not always there in time. A, C and O will come in alone or in a pair (they would probably come as a three but I get in a tangle) and will happily wait by the gate if they're the last one. It's only by keeping it random that I've achieved this.

ETA - I'd get headcollars on them all before you take one in. That way, if you do have a stressy one at the gate, you can just grab the headcollar and attach a rope rather than faffing about trying to put it on.

 

[abbijay]

If I were in your shoes I would bring in the trickiest first (presume the mare) and go back for the other pair - unless the mare would be a real danger to herself being in alone for a couple of minutes in which case the other horse first and shettie and mare afterwards.
I'm like a number of the others though and while routine is good for horses mine need to cope with a bit of variety so I would look to change things about as much as possible to get them used to this simple variation in their day to day.

 

[fiwen30]

Take the mare first, presuming she gives off if one of the others is taken away from the herd, but she’s happy to be removed for working. Then bring the other 2 together.

 

[Hallo2012]

It’s probably good for them to learn not to be attached at the hip every nanosecond.

I’d do 2 trips and get them used to each being the solo one!

this!

i only have 2 so both have to get used to going solo.

the 4yo is a worrier, the 7yo couldn't give a toss so currently with wet/boggy/slippy ground to save the peace i have been turning out or bringing in 4yo first but once it dries up i will start alternating to build good habits.

 

[Charley657]

Its been a while since I brought horses in from the field but I guess the days of bringing in 5 or 6 at a time are over from a health & safety point of view?