Despairing - horse won't stay in field. Any suggestions?

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Pepito

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I can't get my horse to stay in the field. He's been fine for six months in his paddock. He was separated from the mare he was with as he was covering her and injuring her, but can still touch the other horses and ponies over the divide. He has a field of gelding ponies on one side and the mare on the other. He was about to be introduced to the field of geldings just before he started jumping out, as he was so well behaved and quiet.


Suddenly in the last week he's started to jump over the fence, go under the fence and through the fence. I've spent a fortune on fencing, buying higher posts and more electric tape. It now resembles fort knox with two lines of electric tape.

It was hooked up to an energiser which I think was too weak and he learned that he can just walk through it. Yesterday I hooked it up to the mains and put him in. He was fine for 5 hours then got really agitated by the fact that the fence was on, ran up and down the perimeter then jumped through the fence in a blind panic, taking it with him.


He doesn't go to the other horses, or to anything in particular. It's different every time - sometimes he goes to eat grass, sometimes he goes in with the other ponies, but then jumps out again later. It's like he's worked out he doesn't have to be there so just does it for the sake of it. He's lusitano and ridiculously intelligent - I always have to be one step ahead of him but this time he's definitely got the better of me.

He's being regularly exercised and there is grass in the field.

Yard manager is now saying he might have to stay in all winter, which makes me very sad but I can completely understand why as we can't put other horses at risk from mine doing this.

I'm so sad and fed up. Does anyone have any suggestions?
 
I feel for you. I have a Holsteiner with awesome jumping ability and he has spent nine years dictating which field he goes in. I used to turn up in the evenings never knowing which field I would find him in. He did settle with a large group in a 10 acre field eventually, although he is now on box rest having done a check ligament. I'm dreading the prospect of restricted turnout as there is no fence high enough to stop him going if he wants to. I think stallion fencing is the only answer for you- although this would be expensive. Or one of those Guardian rugs which are meant to prevent horses walking through electric fencing.
 
amymay said:
Give him the company of some equine friends.
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I agree with AM. Did you import him? He may not have been turned out before and now you are asking him to live on his own and cope with all potential threats on his own, it isn't natural. Bet you dollars to doughnuts he would stop doing it if he could go out with the geldings.
 
Hi,

He does it even when he's got friends unfortunately! I've done some research and other spanish horse owners have said that their horses seem to do the same - they like to go out for a few hours but then jump out.

I might have to just turn him out for short bursts. I will reiterate though to yard owner about putting him in with others as I don't like keeping him alone at all.
 
He's always been turned out - he was bought in France and kept out 24/7 for years. Over here he's been both 24/7 and kept in at night out during day.

He's lived with herds and still jumps out after a while. He doesn't jump to join other horses which has the yard manager thinking it's not company.

I'll put in another plea for him to go in with others today, but last time I asked I was told not until he stops jumping out.
 
how good is the fencing?

I always think it is a bit unfair to get grumpy about escapees when fencing is poor, badly charged if electric, or not high enough. I'd be looking at putting up a 6ft strand before I kept him in all winter.
 
Clodagh said:
I agree with AM. Did you import him? He may not have been turned out before and now you are asking him to live on his own and cope with all potential threats on his own, it isn't natural. Bet you dollars to doughnuts he would stop doing it if he could go out with the geldings.
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She said he's been fine in the paddock for the last 6 months so he should be used to the whole being out thing by now. But I would also say try him with the geldings? Perhaps he is just bored on his own and craving company. He may be less inclined to leave his new buddies too.
 
I had one mare who kept jumping out till the fence was just under 6'2 she never went anywhere had grass and company-I just kept raising the fence.

my daughters 18yr old Irish sports horse jumps out if there is not enough grass for her liking (she is fat so restricted grazing is an issue), she can walk up to 3'6 and hop over despite the fact she is an insurance write of due to both hind suspensories being thought to be irreparably damaged 8yrs ago.

my mare just walks through the fence if it is not powerful enough, recently she has started jumping the short posts as the fence is permanently 'HOT'.

all have company and grass (although as mentioned fattie is often restricted), solution = keep making fence taller, tape short and long posts together if needed, 4 strands of tape ALL live with good power to them, no rugs till they get a few shocks (he may be a bit more respectful now he has had a shock running through it) never use necks with rugs (my mare is like a rhino she edges up to the fence puts her head down and charges), am thinking I will hog mine if needed when they are back in the summer fields and grazing is more restricted.

I would put him in with the others as he may have more to occupy his mind in a shared field.

I have even resorted to clipping out the chest on one at work to stop her walking through a fence but rugs are really not your friend.
 
My late cut appy used to be a nightmare for the exact same reason. He would jump the fence to get in with neighbours, batter anything that wasnt a mare then back into his own paddock. he'd open gates and bring himself in at a flat out gallop screaming his head off, ploughing through anyone or anything that got in his way, and kicking walls or doors with a passion because (i think) he was just so frustrated by the hormones that told him he was still a stallion. I put him on rig calm and he quieted down within a week, becoming the placid quiet gelding he is now. We later switched to agnus castus which seems to do the same job and have used oestraban by gold label when ebay delivery didnt arrive.

Not saying this is a definitive solution but a supplement was all that was needed in Alfie's case.

Maybe if that worked for you your boy might be allowed some new playmates.
 
kellybee said:
My late cut appy used to be a nightmare for the exact same reason. He would jump the fence to get in with neighbours, batter anything that wasnt a mare then back into his own paddock. he'd open gates and bring himself in at a flat out gallop screaming his head off, ploughing through anyone or anything that got in his way, and kicking walls or doors with a passion because (i think) he was just so frustrated by the hormones that told him he was still a stallion. I put him on rig calm and he quieted down within a week, becoming the placid quiet gelding he is now. We later switched to agnus castus which seems to do the same job and have used oestraban by gold label when ebay delivery didnt arrive.

Not saying this is a definitive solution but a supplement was all that was needed in Alfie's case.

Maybe if that worked for you your boy might be allowed some new playmates.
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I'll look into that thank you!
 
Pepito said:
I'm not grumpy - I love him to bits and want to do the best for him. He's got a 6 ft strand already - I've just spent a fortune on new fencing with the tallest posts available, plus the cabling to get it hooked up to the mains rather than an energiser.
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do you mean the tallest electric posts?

if yes we have to tape these to the short electric posts to get the fence high enough to keep my daughters 14.3hh in and one of the 14.2hh at work (when she was on restricted turn out due to injury)
 
twiggy2 said:
I had one mare who kept jumping out till the fence was just under 6'2 she never went anywhere had grass and company-I just kept raising the fence.

my daughters 18yr old Irish sports horse jumps out if there is not enough grass for her liking (she is fat so restricted grazing is an issue), she can walk up to 3'6 and hop over despite the fact she is an insurance write of due to both hind suspensories being thought to be irreparably damaged 8yrs ago.

my mare just walks through the fence if it is not powerful enough, recently she has started jumping the short posts as the fence is permanently 'HOT'.

all have company and grass (although as mentioned fattie is often restricted), solution = keep making fence taller, tape short and long posts together if needed, 4 strands of tape ALL live with good power to them, no rugs till they get a few shocks (he may be a bit more respectful now he has had a shock running through it) never use necks with rugs (my mare is like a rhino she edges up to the fence puts her head down and charges), am thinking I will hog mine if needed when they are back in the summer fields and grazing is more restricted.

I would put him in with the others as he may have more to occupy his mind in a shared field.

I have even resorted to clipping out the chest on one at work to stop her walking through a fence but rugs are really not your friend.
Click to expand...


Thank you - it's really a relief to hear mine's not the only one who seems to be rhino-skinned :)

I've just been to speak to the yard manager and we're going to try him on a couple of hours at a time out with a friend, to see if we can't nip this in the bud.
 
ester said:
how good is the fencing?

I always think it is a bit unfair to get grumpy about escapees when fencing is poor, badly charged if electric, or not high enough. I'd be looking at putting up a 6ft strand before I kept him in all winter.
Click to expand...

I'm not grumpy - I love him to bits and want to do the best for him. He's got a 6 ft strand already - I've just spent a fortune on new fencing with the tallest posts available, plus the cabling to get it hooked up to the mains rather than an energiser.

I don't want to keep him in all winter hence the post as I'll exhaust all efforts before that happens.
 
twiggy2 said:
do you mean the tallest electric posts?

if yes we have to tape these to the short electric posts to get the fence high enough to keep my daughters 14.3hh in and one of the 14.2hh at work (when she was on restricted turn out due to injury)
Click to expand...

Yes - that's a good idea, thank you. I'll try that.
 
Hi mine a late cut spanish also from france for some reason if he out more than one hour in winter boy does he get the hump. He also lived out in france he wont do it now iv made him soft i think short spell out is the way to go he just dosent like our british weather.
 
puss said:
Hi mine a late cut spanish also from france for some reason if he out more than one hour in winter boy does he get the hump. He also lived out in france he wont do it now iv made him soft i think short spell out is the way to go he just dosent like our british weather.
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Thanks Puss - this is exactly what I'm thinking. How strange that we have the same! It's quite difficult sometimes as he's such a different horse to others on the yard - he's so placid and lovely to handle, but extremely sharp when ridden or (like in this situation) when he doesn't want to do something. Love him to bits though.
 
jenni999 said:
I feel for you. I have a Holsteiner with awesome jumping ability and he has spent nine years dictating which field he goes in. I used to turn up in the evenings never knowing which field I would find him in. He did settle with a large group in a 10 acre field eventually, although he is now on box rest having done a check ligament. I'm dreading the prospect of restricted turnout as there is no fence high enough to stop him going if he wants to. I think stallion fencing is the only answer for you- although this would be expensive. Or one of those Guardian rugs which are meant to prevent horses walking through electric fencing.
Click to expand...

I've never heard of a Guardian rug - generally he doesn't wear rugs as he's hardy but I'll look into that, thanks very much :)
 
Clodagh said:
I agree with AM. Did you import him? He may not have been turned out before and now you are asking him to live on his own and cope with all potential threats on his own, it isn't natural. Bet you dollars to doughnuts he would stop doing it if he could go out with the geldings.
Click to expand...

We did put him in with geldings but he still jumped out. I have just been to yard though and spoken to YM - we are going to try him out in short bursts with another, so hopefully this will fix it :)
 
MagicMelon said:
She said he's been fine in the paddock for the last 6 months so he should be used to the whole being out thing by now. But I would also say try him with the geldings? Perhaps he is just bored on his own and craving company. He may be less inclined to leave his new buddies too.
Click to expand...

Thank you - I agree, I think he's bored but it's hard to argue the case when people are worried he'll endanger other horses. I think we're sorted, we've decided to try him out for only an hour or two a day with another horse for company and see how we go. That way if it's lack of company that's the problem then problem solved, equally if he just doesn't want to be in a field long periods of time then he'll be happy.
 
One thing I have done in extreme need was put a gelding on regumate ( the stuff for mares ) it worked fabulously he was jumping out jumping huge fenced hedges to get to mares and then beating them senseless he was for the chop until a dealer friend suggested the regumate this was complete cure we weaned him off after awhile and he was fine.
He had been kept on his own for several years before coming to us.

Can you work twice a day to keep him busy ?
And would a pony companion ( gelding ) be a possibility .
 
I have been ready to put one of mine in a freezer many times as he wont stay in an electric fence, It is on the mains, is new tape has four strands and is about 5ft six high as it is electric posts on top of wooden ones and he still goes walk about. Especially if the grass starts to get a bit low He is in a small herd and doesnt wear a rug but when he does it doesnt make a difference So we are about to put a cattle wire onto the ring fence to see is a bigger shock will stop him. I hate him some days and adore him most of the time however on wet windy cold days with the rain coming horizontal across the field I could quite happily eat him as stew for my dinner when I am soaked to the skin and frozen to the marrow but till need to replace the bleeding fence yet again
Do they make small guardian rugs and do they exacerbate the shock or is it the same as it would be from a normal taped fence
Oh and a stable isnt an option as he just jumps over the door if you put a grid in he just jumps into it and bends it over Only real solution would be to put him in a shut all the doors not a position I will take with any horse so he will keep me on my toes for the time being
 
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I wasn't suggesting you were grumpy with him OP, just that often when these posts come up it is found that the fencing is lacking somewhat which doesn't help.

Re the rug I have helped up rig one with wide electric tape across the chest so that horse didn't think rug= no shock.

I hope you get him sorted and more settled. I know I am lucky that mine will stay behind whatever really, so when he was a little stressed about moving house recently fencing wasn't a problem.
 
windand rain said:
I have been ready to put one of mine in a freezer many times as he wont stay in an electric fence, It is on the mains, is new tape has four strands and is about 5ft six high as it is electric posts on top of wooden ones and he still goes walk about. Especially if the grass starts to get a bit low He is in a small herd and doesnt wear a rug but when he does it doesnt make a difference So we are about to put a cattle wire onto the ring fence to see is a bigger shock will stop him. I hate him some days and adore him most of the time however on wet windy cold days with the rain coming horizontal across the field I could quite happily eat him as stew for my dinner when I am soaked to the skin and frozen to the marrow but till need to replace the bleeding fence yet again
Do they make small guardian rugs and do they exacerbate the shock or is it the same as it would be from a normal taped fence
Oh and a stable isnt an option as he just jumps over the door if you put a grid in he just jumps into it and bends it over Only real solution would be to put him in a shut all the doors not a position I will take with any horse so he will keep me on my toes for the time being
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This made me smile - I totally know how you feel. Love mine to bits but some days I do sigh over him and wish he could be a bit more 'normal' but then I wouldn't get all the quirkiness that I love. He's such an affectionate animal but honestly some days I wish I could just hand him to someone else to deal with! :)
 
ester said:
I wasn't suggesting you were grumpy with him OP, just that often when these posts come up it is found that the fencing is lacking somewhat which doesn't help.

Re the rug I have helped up rig one with wide electric tape across the chest so that horse didn't think rug= no shock.

I hope you get him sorted and more settled. I know I am lucky that mine will stay behind whatever really, so when he was a little stressed about moving house recently fencing wasn't a problem.
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Thank you! I'll look into the rug.

Yes I do know what you mean, lots of people blame the horse when actually it's something else causing it. I will try the suggestions on here and also my yard manager has said we can give him a friend so hopefully sorted :)
 
puss said:
Hi mine a late cut spanish also from france for some reason if he out more than one hour in winter boy does he get the hump. He also lived out in france he wont do it now iv made him soft i think short spell out is the way to go he just dosent like our british weather.
Click to expand...

Hi
Would you mind me picking your brain as ours are so similar? I'd really appreciate it.
 
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