Did I do the right thing?

[Keira 8888]

Hi guys!

Hope you’re all well and roasting yourselves in the sun!

I just wanted to share something that happened yesterday to see if you think I did the right thing. Please don’t worry about offending me if you think I did wrong - I can take it!

I went to feed Prince at 6pm yesterday (I bring him in from the field to his stable as I want to get him used to a routine in the new yard and associating his stable with positive things - we groom him after his feed and pick out his feet etc..)

All went well, he was very relaxed and I even managed to give the old sheath area a good inspection as he dropped it right down.

So! All going well at this point... Les him back to the field and all the other horses were clustered around the gate. Now I HAVE posted about this before and have taken advice on board. I am awaiting approval to fence off a holding area so I can get him in/out more easily) and know that I need to be confident and assertive when encouraging the horses to move back. Sadly my futile (scared!!) efforts didn’t result in much backwards movement and it was approaching twighlight so I thought stuff it - I’m not going to put him or I in a dangerous position so we headed back to the stable and I put him in for the night - for the first time in his new yard. There was one other horse in the stable (it’s an American barn set up) so he had company.
Went home feeling thoroughly defeated (why aren’t these other horses at the gate respectful of me??! I puff myself up like a toad and make threatening growls but they just roll their eyes at me ?)

Had a fitful nights sleep and arise at 7am to go check on him. Well, he looked as happy as a clam. He obviously slept well and was bright as a button. I had given myself a good talking to and was armed with a schooling whip with plastic bag attached to the end, to try and encourage the other horses to move back) but as luck would have it they were nowhere near the gate so I happily plopped him back inside with no stress and he promptly had a lovely dust bath infront of me!!

So my question basically is - Is it ok that I decided to bring him back in for the night because I was pretty sure a gate cluster could result in injury to Prince or myself?

They hardly raised their heads when I brought him back in this morning and I just want to let the next few weeks roll by with no drama as he finds his feet and position in the herd.
Any opinion much appreciated!
thank you guys x

 

[FFAQ]

Yes, I think that safety is paramount so i think you did the right thing ?

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Last night those other ponies wanted in out of heat/flies etc and or to greet their fieldmate. I swing a lead rope in a circle in front and to left of me and horse to get others to step back.after a few nights the others will get the gist. Taking a whip maybe viewed negatively by other owners....

 

[Chinchilla]

You did fine. I hate field setups which allow 'gate clusters'....they are so dangerous imho

 

[splashgirl45]

yes quite right. it is very difficult to negotiate the gate and your horse and as he is still new to you it was best to not have a problem. its good that he settled in the stable ok so at least you know you could do that again if he had another horse in there. glad you are coping ok after your last post sounds very positive so far..

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

You did exactly the right thing. We ask each other, when there has been a problem, 'Did we get every-one to the end of the day, alive and uninjured?' If the answer is 'yes', it's been a good day!

I would take a lunge whip to clear a space at the gateway - and wouldn't care about what other owners think, tbh. I wouldn't be touching a horse with the lunge-whip but I would move them out of my way.

 

[Winters100]

Yes, you did the right thing. Nothing wrong with avoiding dramas, especially when handling horses that you don't know well.

 

[Red-1]

I think you did the right thing. Apart from anything else, dusk is the worst time for flies. I bet he was a lot more comfortable in his stable, the others were well jealous, I bet

I would ask someone to come snd show you how to assert yourself at the field entrance. I admit, as an owner, if I found someone had been thrashing a lunge whip towards my horse I would be furious. I would expect them to walk in and ask my horse to move back, my horse would do so. If they had simply thrashed a whip around, I would expect a very good explanation. Not an issue though, I am not at a livery yard.

When I was coaching people, I was called for lessons that were very similar to what you need. I gave lessons on catching and bringing a horse in. Lessons on how to hold a horse (and I mean put the horse in a metaphorical box, so they would stand without someone hanging onto the halter). Lessons on manoeuvring a horse without physically putting them into position. Lessons in how to ask a horse to be still wen tied up, how to co-operatively groom, how to pick feet without them weighing anything in your hand. These are all important lessons, and someone will be out there who can help you with the nuances of body language and breath. Less is more. But someone needs to show you how.

 

[FlyingCircus]

Nothing worse than having to deal with other people's horses that have no manners! It's the reason I have only mine together in a field.

 

[Shay]

Echo the others - completely the right thing.

 

[babymare]

I think you totally made the right decision. Safety is important and sounds like he was happy in his stable ?

 

[Muddywellies]

Most important thing here is your own safety.

 

[Baywonder]

Yes, I would have done exactly the same as you. Safety is paramount, and you definitely made the right call.

 

[Boulty]

You kept yourself & him safe, happy & calm & the overall experience positive. As you both settle in you'll get more confident around the other horses in the field as you learn what they're like. Totally fine to avoid situations you don't feel safe in. If yard will let you make a little box around the gate that would be ideal.

If not I like to spin my leadrope in a circle in front of me. If the horses move back then great. If not I keep walking towards them & if they get a bop on the nose or chest through choosing to stay where they are then they tend to take the hint (obv don't use the clip end as that would hurt & don't aim anywhere near the eyes & take the pressure off once they've done what you want)

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I think you did the right thing. Apart from anything else, dusk is the worst time for flies. I bet he was a lot more comfortable in his stable, the others were well jealous, I bet

I would ask someone to come snd show you how to assert yourself at the field entrance. I admit, as an owner, if I found someone had been thrashing a lunge whip towards my horse I would be furious. I would expect them to walk in and ask my horse to move back, my horse would do so. If they had simply thrashed a whip around, I would expect a very good explanation. Not an issue though, I am not at a livery yard.

When I was coaching people, I was called for lessons that were very similar to what you need. I gave lessons on catching and bringing a horse in. Lessons on how to hold a horse (and I mean put the horse in a metaphorical box, so they would stand without someone hanging onto the halter). Lessons on manoeuvring a horse without physically putting them into position. Lessons in how to ask a horse to be still wen tied up, how to co-operatively groom, how to pick feet without them weighing anything in your hand. These are all important lessons, and someone will be out there who can help you with the nuances of body language and breath. Less is more. But someone needs to show you how.

I wouldn't thrash the lunge whip around, I would use it as an extension of my arm, pointing at the horse's chest while saying, firmly 'back', or pointing at its flank while saying 'over'.

 

[HazuraJane]

In the pastures at a barn I've used, a lunge whip is left in a holder at every gate.

 

[dogatemysalad]

Thumps up from me too. You're a thoughtful and instinctive owner. You assessed the situation and avoided stress. Your horse had company and was settled in the stable. All was well.
Regarding the horses at the gate, I always use minimal pressure and only increase to the level required. So start off by asking quietly and clearly, possibly one thug might need a clearer message with pressure on the chest to move back. Next I'd use a swinging lead rope and as a final resort with hard core thugs, I'd use blue pipe whacked on the gate after initial nice asking was ignored.
I've never used a lunge whip or physically hit someone else's horse. The last thing you want is a panic which could result in injury as the pack try to get out of the way. I've seen inexperienced new owners do this and it's dangerous. What you're aiming for, is a calm and polite moving away from the gate.
Occasionally, you'll meet a horse that has no boundaries and will be prepared to trample anyone who tries to prevent them getting through the gate. This is a management issue for the YO who should ensure the horse is grazed elsewhere or is brought in before it starts hanging around at the field exit.

 

[paddy555]

you did the right thing. People get hurt in that situation.
Try going out with some of the other owners when they put their horses out. Watch what they do and how they deal with the situation. Learn from them which of the horses are just going to run off and which are going to be a real pain. Talk to them and learn how they deal with this situation then you will have a better idea. Also to your YO, see how they suggest you deal with it.

 

[Lammy]

You did the right thing in a situation where you didn’t feel confident.

My first move however would not be to take a lunge whip with a plastic bag on the end to the field, I think maybe that’s a bit overkill and as others have said could cause panic and injury to the horses in the field. Plus you’d have to also hold onto Prince who may also be worried about a whip monster flinging around.

You do need to practice being more assertive, they don’t sound like rude or bargy horses from your post. My lad sometimes needs a firm nudge to move away from the gate but only because he’s nosey, but he will move. And likewise the most I’ve ever had to do is wave my arms and growl at the mare who comes to meet my boy at the gate when she’s in season and wants to have a flirt.

Ask the owners if you could accompany them bringing in/turning out and get them to show you how they prefer their horses to be told to move away? I’m sure if they know you’re a bit nervous they’ll be happy to help.

 

[scats]

Think of it this way- imagine if you’d got into bed last night after a mishap at the gate that had caused either you or Prince to be injured or put in a dangerous situation/scared him, you or both of you... you’d have been cursing yourself for trying when you could have avoided it by putting him back.

So I think you did the right thing. I do think that you need to work on being being more assertive with the other horses, but late evening when you are on your own was not a time to do it. Is there anyone at the yard who can give you a bit of guidance about how to deal with the ‘gate cluster’?

 

[tristar]

a beautiful and very experienced lady riding instructor i knew years ago, was putting out horses and got kicked in the chest by a horse trying ti kick another horse at the gate, she was killed.

you are dead right to avoid any dangers, it is not always possible to do things when you wish, glad you have an instinct for doing the right thing, it could be you or the horse who gets kicked

 

[doodle]

How many horses are crowding the gate?

yes I think you did the right thing but you need to get over the issue. I would be really upset if someone started waving a lunge whip at my horse. But I would be equally upset at my horse if he didn’t step back when asked by anyone.
I don’t think an extra gateway will help as you would still have to get into/out of it to the actual field

you need to practise being more assertive with these horses. Make yourself big and loud and confident and be sure that they do move back when asked. If need be practise this without prince being in the picture.

And lastly this is partly why I don’t like turnout in large groups and I would perhaps be asking if there is an easier field that prince can go in.

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Totally the right thing - safety must always come first - and I read somewhere not so long back that the gateway to and from the field is the most common accident area for horse owners and carers. Unfortunate I recently had an accident myself like this.

I have owned and cared for horse for nearly 60 years now - a few weeks back I was knocked unconscious at the gateway on my own property bringing in one horse just after I had put his field companion out. I 'think' (cant remember exactly what happened )- that the mare int he field (my own horse too) turned suddenly and attacked his bum end and tried to come back out with him and in the resulting mayhem I got launched a good ten feet onto the concrete yard straight onto my head.

I was very, very lucky - and still not really quite right. All my gateways into fields now have electric taped off corals to allow me to put in and turn out more safely, I do hope your YO will agree to this sort of set up for everyone's safety. Your decision was 100 per cent correct IMHO.

 

[MrsMozartleto]

Hopping in to say yes, you did the right thing, and very well done you for giving it a go and realising it wasn't happening, so doing the safe and sane thing, i.e. popping Prince into his stable for the night.

I spin a lead rope if necessary where there's a pushy nosey horse or two. Just watch for body language and horses having a disagreement amongst themselves.

As an aside, may I say I love your refreshingly open and honest approach to all of this horse malarky. It's not an easy world and the only way is to keep asking and keep watching and keep learning, and you're well on the right track lass.

 

[Keira 8888]

Totally the right thing - safety must always come first - and I read somewhere not so long back that the gateway to and from the field is the most common accident area for horse owners and carers. Unfortunate I recently had an accident myself like this.

I have owned and cared for horse for nearly 60 years now - a few weeks back I was knocked unconscious at the gateway on my own property bringing in one horse just after I had put his field companion out. I 'think' (cant remember exactly what happened )- that the mare int he field (my own horse too) turned suddenly and attacked his bum end and tried to come back out with him and in the resulting mayhem I got launched a good ten feet onto the concrete yard straight onto my head.

I was very, very lucky - and still not really quite right. All my gateways into fields now have electric taped off corals to allow me to put in and turn out more safely, I do hope your YO will agree to this sort of set up for everyone's safety. Your decision was 100 per cent correct IMHO.

I’m so sorry to hear this - how awful. Thank you very much for your reply and I do hope you make a full recovery xx

 

[Keira 8888]

Hopping in to say yes, you did the right thing, and very well done you for giving it a go and realising it wasn't happening, so doing the safe and sane thing, i.e. popping Prince into his stable for the night.

I spin a lead rope if necessary where there's a pushy nosey horse or two. Just watch for body language and horses having a disagreement amongst themselves.

As an aside, may I say I love your refreshingly open and honest approach to all of this horse malarky. It's not an easy world and the only way is to keep asking and keep watching and keep learning, and you're well on the right track lass.

That’s very kind - thank you so much ? I am on the steepest learning curve of my life right now but enjoying every day! (Apart from gate cluster days ?)

 

[Keira 8888]

Thank you so much everyone for your replies - I appreciate it very much.

I have taken on board so much from what you have all said - the things that stand out to me are:

1. Safety for myself and Prince must come first at all times.

2. I must remember to respect the other horses and owners and not go in gun ho with methods that could stir up more panic at the gate

3. Holding pen will be a vital part of my management moving forwards

4. I must find a way to correctly and effectively assert myself with the other horses. I’m going to practice this tomorrow but without Prince on the end of a lead rope.

5. I will stay in open communication with the other owners and learn from their individual methods!

As always, you guys have lifted me up and reassured me. And I’ve learnt a great deal. Thank you very much xx

 

[paddy555]

this horse malarky.

love the expression.

 

[willowblack]

Definitely the decision I would have made. I hate turning out into group fields with that set up. It’s hard enough with one horse, a gate, electric fence and some rogue sheep let alone a herd of horses. If possible, I’d also be asking for a solution/alternative.

 

[claret09]

your boy is so lucky to have you. i really appreciate how much you are trying and being able to do the right thing. you were right not to turn him out. i with many, many years of having horses won't have. we all need to remember safety first. you are doing a great job