Cattle Grids V Ponies

[Fools Motto]

Had a bit of an accident a few days ago. Pony got lose, galloped home. Unfortunately there is a cattle grid between said lose pony and 'home'. Kind lady tried to stop pony by trying to stop her car on the grid to block its path.. determined pony didn't give a monkey's about that, and did in fact TROT across the grid... at least 3 of her LITTLE toes touched the grid 'bars'.

Amazingly, there is not a single scratch on the pony, nor on the car. However, both myself and this lady did have to have a strong cup of tea.

The pony is a fine 13h quick nippy thing, with attitude. I think it was her attitude that not only caused this in the first place, but got her through some sort of miracle.

This happened at work. The big boss can't do anything about 'blocking the cattle grids to save the ponies' (he isn't horsey, and is very money-tight). One pony has been lost some years ago in identical circumstances. The particular ride has now been banned, which is such a shame as it is wonderful hacking.

I don't know why I'm writing this really, but is there any sort of cattle grid safe for ponies contraption out there? I'm due to take my horse to this place, but having doubts now simply because of the damn grids!!!

 

[FfionWinnie]

Show the horse the grid so it knows it's there. I live beside a grid and no horse of mine has even considered crossing it. If this pony didn't know it was there it would be too late to stop herself by the time she did probably.

 

[Orca]

We always used to jump grids. I remember being instructed to for the first time and being absolutely certain that legs would be broken but it wasn't so. In my experience, ponies and horses will hop over without issue. At one place, we had several along the drive and no accidents occurred - although I'd agree that they aren't ideal! If the boss won't do anything then I'm not sure what you can do, other than maybe install gates at your own expense?

 

[Fools Motto]

Pony knew it was there - this is her home, and has been for some years. She did hesitate with the car there, but was so determined to go 'home' that it was clear it wasn't going to stop her. I'm not sure if she is dim or too clever?

 

[MotherOfChickens]

friend used to use lengths of rubber matting and would get someone to move them for her-the sort of quarry conveyor stuff.

 

[Tiddlypom]

We always used to jump grids. I remember being instructed to for the first time and being absolutely certain that legs would be broken but it wasn't so.

You were told to jump cattle grids by an instructor :eek3:? Sheesh.

They are lethal things. Not sure what to suggest to OP. Though I have accidentally jumped a horse over one whilst hunting on Dartmoor in heavy rain. Luckily the horse spotted it and jumped it cleanly.

 

[FfionWinnie]

I thought you were worried about your horse and the grid.

I don't believe most horses would try and walk over it if they knew it was there hence showing it to your horse who doesn't know it's there, would probably prevent him accidentally landing in it. Usually they find them highly frightening and it's a job even getting them to walk along the side of one on safe ground.

Sounds like the pony knew what she was doing. Or thought she did at least.

 

[Orca]

You were told to jump cattle grids by an instructor :eek3:? Sheesh.

They are lethal things. Not sure what to suggest to OP. Though I have accidentally jumped a horse over one whilst hunting on Dartmoor in heavy rain. Luckily the horse spotted it and jumped it cleanly.

Indeed I was! One of my parents was an instructor and this was part of our daily hack. To leave the premises, we had to jump either a fence or a cattle grid. I was instructed to jump the grid on numerous occasions.

I have to admit, I wouldn't now and probably wouldn't have then, had I had any choice.

I like the conveyor belt mat idea. Would that work for you, OP?

 

[Fools Motto]

The mat idea would be lovely, but it might also encourage the sheep into the wrong place in the park!?

FfionWinnie - Arghh, see what you mean. I like to think my mare is also a clever thing, who won't jump the grids even if you ask her too! But, every time I've fallen off (not many if I',m honest!) she doesn't like sticking around.. yet to manage to keep hold of her. I'll be showing her them for sure!

 

[smellsofhorse]

About 10 years ago.
I fell from my horse, she ran home went over a cattle grid and across a busy A road at rush hour.
God knows how she wasn't hurt or killed.

I now live in the New Forest, lots of cattle grids, in which the ponies respect.
I thinks it's only in a panic situation, like when a rider had fallen and the horse gallops off that they would try to go over one.
There are cattle grids that dont roll, (like the one my horse went over)
But in which case the gaps need to be far enough apart to stop animals going over them or it defeats the point!

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I now live in the New Forest, lots of cattle grids, in which the ponies respect.!

I've known and heard of a few not respect them though! Jumpers and rollers!!!

 

[Ladyinred]

I once rode my moped across one not realising it was icy, came off and fell into the grid. They now terrify me and I wouldn't dream of jumping one! All the ones I know have horse-friendly gates to one side.

 

[Peter7917]

I now live in the New Forest, lots of cattle grids, in which the ponies respect.!

I live in the new forest. A good friend who had ponies in cadnam used to have a little gelding walk over the grid into her property to eat the grass. She gave up chasing him back out and let him stay there eventually!! (Owner aware)

He would walk over it calm as anything. Must have crossed that grid about 30 times before she gave in!

 

[popsdosh]

The mat idea would be lovely, but it might also encourage the sheep into the wrong place in the park!?

FfionWinnie - Arghh, see what you mean. I like to think my mare is also a clever thing, who won't jump the grids even if you ask her too! But, every time I've fallen off (not many if I',m honest!) she doesn't like sticking around.. yet to manage to keep hold of her. I'll be showing her them for sure!

I suspect if the pony knew the grid was there the driver inadvertently made the situation worse by trying to block it ! Used to have a dairy cow who regularly used to go to the pub on a sunday lunchtime as the kids made a fuss of her she used to crawl across it was amusing but also a pain in the butt eventually she had to go. All our cattle grids are gated now when there are horses in the field.

 

[Sprout]

I live in the New Forest, and mostly they respect them, but there was a particular pony who just hopped over the grids to munch in people's gardens!