Did I do the right thing?

[tallyho!]

Most domesticated horses respond to the word “back”. I’ve moved to many yards in my time due to work and most horses respond to a calm confident request or a touch to the chest to say so. Indeed I can get four horses out of a gate at once on leadrops just by talking.

You can’t growl or whip horses you just get them all agitated and angry. Don’t rush and ask politely is what I would say. Having said all that doing it all with clods of flies isn’t ideal so you did the right thing. Best not to get agitated and wound up in the heat. Try on a cooler night.

 

[Lois Lame]

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.

This had me imagining you lot doing a role play. That could be fun. Some people could be the crowding, rude horses; other people could be the horses who just tend to stand about getting in the way.

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.

Rogue sheep! Yikes.

 

[doodle]

This had me imagining you lot doing a role play. That could be fun. Some people could be the crowding, rude horses; other people could be the horses who just tend to stand about getting in the way.



Rogue sheep! Yikes.

Sorry just trying to help

 

[Honey08]

I’d fence off the trail and put a sign on the fence that says
“When I asked some local horse riders to clear up some muck on my lawn they sneered and said deal with it. I have. Because of them the trail is sadly now closed.”

 

[Lois Lame]

Sorry just trying to help

No, I wasn't being facetious, I genuinely think this (role play) can be a good idea.

ETA: Oh, and sheep can be tricky individuals. I once agisted my horses on a private property which had a few sheep, and the ram used to share the dinner of one of my youngsters. I foolishly tried to tell the ram to sod off, one day, and he rammed me. Afterwards I wondered why I'd been so silly because it was kind of obvious when I thought about it. (I wasn't hurt, just shocked and scared at what might have happened.) Also, I think sheep in general would be very difficult to convince to do anything. (Unless it involves food.)

 

[Lois Lame]

I’d fence off the trail and put a sign on the fence that says
“When I asked some local horse riders to clear up some muck on my lawn they sneered and said deal with it. I have. Because of them the trail is sadly now closed.”

Wrong thread

 

[HazuraJane]

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

I am so sorry to hear about the woman you knew who was mortally injured. That's very sad, also tough to take in.

 

[tristar]

I am so sorry to hear about the woman you knew who was mortally injured. That's very sad, also tough to take in.

yes, unbelievable at the time, leaving young children

 

[SEL]

You've reminded me why I used to hate group turnout at one of my old yards....

My 3 have what we call 'the porch' just inside the gate. Our main gate is on the mains electric and i really don't want to negotiate it if anyone is being difficult so we have a small fenced off safety area just inside.

 

[Honey08]

Wrong thread

oops! Wondered why I couldn’t see it on the other thread!

 

[tallyho!]

Oh thats horrible to read... may she RIP

 

[Feral]

You did the right thing last night.

Believe me in a few weeks you will be wondering why you worried so much about this!

Nothing worse than rude horses at the gate that won't move, thankfully all of the ones in the mare herd on my yard know that I won't mess about and they move when they see me coming.

Use a lead rope, swish them with your hands, if they don't respect you then don't be afraid to use lead rope to give them a tap (just be careful they don't turn round and kick out)
We have wood chip at our gate entrance and I find kicking some up at them usually gets them moving out of the way too.

Also ask someone from the yard if they could help show you how to move them from the gate - I'm sure they would be glad of you asking this rather than trying to put your boy out and potentially causing accidents if flights start.

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Personally I wouldn't be impressed if someone was waving a whip with a paper bag on the end of it at my horse but purely because i use this method as a desensitizing tool and dont want my horse to move away from it. I would however have either a 12ft rope on my horse or an extra leadrope and spin that around flicking/ hitting anything that was still in my way as i walked forward asking everything to go 'back' ... manners dont cost anything and its a simple instruction all those horses should know off by heart!

I've not been a fan of your posts but you seem to really be putting the effort in and getting better and better so big congrats on that, you should be happy with yourself so no more giving yourself a hard time over it, it really just does come with experience and you are getting that so keep up the good work. He's a lucky horse to have you (I would have likely bought him off you cheaply when you first started posting btw, lol)

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

I've not been a fan of your posts but you seem to really be putting the effort in and getting better and better so big congrats on that, you should be happy with yourself so no more giving yourself a hard time over it, it really just does come with experience and you are getting that so keep up the good work.

Wow! Patronising much!

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Wow! Patronising much!

Always one who likes to stir! #tool

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Always one who likes to stir! #tool

Do you make a habit of it, then?

 

[Scotsbadboy]

Do you make a habit of it, then?

Oh and another one!

 

[Keira 8888]

You did the right thing last night.

Believe me in a few weeks you will be wondering why you worried so much about this!

Nothing worse than rude horses at the gate that won't move, thankfully all of the ones in the mare herd on my yard know that I won't mess about and they move when they see me coming.

Use a lead rope, swish them with your hands, if they don't respect you then don't be afraid to use lead rope to give them a tap (just be careful they don't turn round and kick out)
We have wood chip at our gate entrance and I find kicking some up at them usually gets them moving out of the way too.

Also ask someone from the yard if they could help show you how to move them from the gate - I'm sure they would be glad of you asking this rather than trying to put your boy out and potentially causing accidents if flights start.

Thanks Feral!
I’ve been very lucky lately and they have been away from the gate these past few days! Will be heading off to get him in at dusk so will practice my assertive stance in the mirror before I go! Luckily they’re all so hot at the moment they congregate under a tree in the far corner of the field ??

 

[Feral]

Thanks Feral!
I’ve been very lucky lately and they have been away from the gate these past few days! Will be heading off to get him in at dusk so will practice my assertive stance in the mirror before I go! Luckily they’re all so hot at the moment they congregate under a tree in the far corner of the field ??

Wait until winter hits when they all want to be in at the same time!! can become a nightmare so at least you have the rest of the summer to get used to them and know which ones to watch out for

 

[yhanni]

Can be a really dangerous situation - a good and extremely experienced friend of mine was kicked by one of her own horses when she was turning out another. Broke her pelvis and she is still crippled years later.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Can be a really dangerous situation - a good and extremely experienced friend of mine was kicked by one of her own horses when she was turning out another. Broke her pelvis and she is still crippled years later.

This is why ours, kept at home, always go in and out in the same order - although we only have 2 now, so it really doesn't take much organisation but it saves any problems. I really dislike herds with multiple owners on livery yards unless the fields are large and horses can graze over a large area, so don't really care when one owner appears at the gate. When ours were at livery we kept our 4 together, with no others in the same field.

 

[J&S]

I have kept my pony/ies in herds in the past and found in general that they do begin to realise who belongs to who, even recognising the sound of the right vehicle. I do have memories of one large and pushy Welshie though. TBH it was not his fault he had an extremely inconsistant owner and I don't think he ever knew what time of day she would come so was always on the look out!

 

[Kaylum]

I think your safety is what you should be looking at, it is mandatory at our yard to always wear a hat and gloves, when leading, grooming or working with any of the horses at are at the yard.
Always make sure your yard gates are closed so if they do get out they have nowhere to go.
They are probably nosey for food which why I dislike people feeding treats in the field it drives me mental, but they are horses and are having a look to see whats going on and who is coming in and out.
Hopefully you will get a field shoot sorted soon and it will be easier for you. You did great and managed.

 

[Pedantic]

Same as when out hacking, always take the safest option, so I reckon you did the right thing by sounds of it, you just need to work on getting the other horses too respect you and move out of the way, for "me" I would take a crop with me and insist they shift, I don't mean necessarily smacking them, but a bit of enthusiastic swishing and some authoritive shouting works for me.