Does anyone else dread bringing in time?

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Speedyfluff

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Every year I seem to feel more and more apprehensive about bringing the horses in. It may have been made worse due to a friend of mine getting mown over by her horse and breaking her leg a few weeks ago. But I absolutely dread bringing the horses in for the night now. I have a 3 and a 4 year old, one of which is very new to me and an oldie and another younger retired horse. They all stay out 24/7 over summer and some of the autumn, then we have a transitioning period where sometimes they stay out, and sometimes they come in. All of this time I have no trouble. But as soon as they start coming in every night, ALL of them want to come in from about 3 pm. They are out in two pairs and I dread wading through the mud, trying to get head collars on with them jostling to be the first one in. Then the one left behind frets and neighs which sets off the others. I try to bring them in in the same order each time, but occasionally it's made impossible due to who is there first and due to the slippery mud. I just hate it! Anyone else?
 
I put hay out for them so they aren't desperate to come in. Winter grass is pretty rubbish and you can't blame them for wanting in. I find if they have several big piles of hay they don't hang out by the gate. Also the less hanging out by the gate, the less mud
 
EQUIDAE said:
I put hay out for them so they aren't desperate to come in. Winter grass is pretty rubbish and you can't blame them for wanting in. I find if they have several big piles of hay they don't hang out by the gate. Also the less hanging out by the gate, the less mud
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There is more grass this year than ever before but they usually have haylage in the field. Not quite so much this year as the grass really is still growing and lush. I think it's just that they hate being the one left behind and this makes them want to come in early. I also take fresh haylage with me when bringing in, so I can leave some for the horse that is left behind.
 
Yep.
Spring and summer is a breeze, but my boy is in a mixed herd, luckily none are particularly dominant. He normally comes in at 4.30/5ish, but since the clocks have changed come 3pm all of them start to loiter.
Touch wood there has never been any accidents, very lucky to be a very well behaved group, but that doesn't stop the simpletons (mines one of them) blocking the gate and being too dense to move out of the way. And all the mud.
Here's hoping after a few weeks they'll get the hang of the the extra hour!
 
If mine are out in pairs I always bring in two at a time, I expect them to learn to be led from both sides so it is easy to do although there is always one who cannot fathom it out and has to be on my right, I have to bring in 8 every evening and want to make as few trips as possible, turning out is much the same most go in pairs, I would probably be less inclined to do this if my yard was not secure or I had to walk down a road.
 
Bav said:
Yep.
Spring and summer is a breeze, but my boy is in a mixed herd, luckily none are particularly dominant. He normally comes in at 4.30/5ish, but since the clocks have changed come 3pm all of them start to loiter.
Touch wood there has never been any accidents, very lucky to be a very well behaved group, but that doesn't stop the simpletons (mines one of them) blocking the gate and being too dense to move out of the way. And all the mud.
Here's hoping after a few weeks they'll get the hang of the the extra hour!
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Glad it's not just me. I think it's the mud which really makes me feel so vulnerable as so easy to fall over or get stuck!

be positive said:
If mine are out in pairs I always bring in two at a time, I expect them to learn to be led from both sides so it is easy to do although there is always one who cannot fathom it out and has to be on my right, I have to bring in 8 every evening and want to make as few trips as possible, turning out is much the same most go in pairs, I would probably be less inclined to do this if my yard was not secure or I had to walk down a road.
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When I just had three, I'd bring in the youngster, and then the older two as a pair. I haven't dared try with the two youngsters together. One is over 17hands and like a daft giraffe. I think I might give it a go and see what happens tomorrow.
 
Speedyfluff said:
Glad it's not just me. I think it's the mud which really makes me feel so vulnerable as so easy to fall over or get stuck!



When I just had three, I'd bring in the youngster, and then the older two as a pair. I haven't dared try with the two youngsters together. One is over 17hands and like a daft giraffe. I think I might give it a go and see what happens tomorrow.
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You may find the "daft giraffe" behaves better coming in with another one, I tend to find they stick together and just want to get in for tea but none of mine are over 16.2 and they are all grown ups or supposed to be.
 
Yes the horses at our yard all start to hang about the gates then if they think they are waiting too long all start to get fretful, if you wait too long you risk them all going bonkers and galloping around like idiots.

I got there by 3.30pm today to poo pick before getting in but my horse stopped grazing then started pacing up and down. So I had to get him in as then I have to get my friends big cob in and he can be a handful once he is upset. Then by the time I'd done that the rest in other paddocks all started kicking off. They're better when the weather isn't so wet and windy.
 
Train them to help support you as you go through tricky deep mud. I fall over easily (neurological issues) and it's surprisingly easy to teach them to go at your pace, pretty much step for step that you take and allow you to lean on them if required. I can take one in each hand and therefore have support both sides - great in ice/snow when going down a slope.
 
I am very lucky that I don't have to deal with this, I have a stone track / driveway between the field and stables that is open so they can come in and out as they please. They are always waiting for me in the yard at breakfast and dinner time unless they are sheltering from wind and rain behind the hedge but then I just go and get one and the other two follow.

Before I had this luxury I used to bring one in and then the other two together, I did try all 3 and whilst they were well behaved they all walked at different speeds or one always stopped for a poo or stopped to stare at something while the others carried on lol
 
I have opposite problem :')
Turning out my lad is prancing all over the place if you let him, as he wants out...Then in the evening he's at the very end of the field where I have to trek over to him, grab him and trek back to the dreaded gateway. Gateway is concrete (slippy!!) and around the concrete is deep mud which pony REALLY doesn't like. Battle of the wills ensues as he is adamant that he won't cross it EVERY DARN DAY. Sigh.
 
Wheels said:
I did try all 3 and whilst they were well behaved they all walked at different speeds or one always stopped for a poo or stopped to stare at something while the others carried on lol
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This is my problem! Then the one that lags behind gets spooked by something and shoots up someone else's bottom :o

Having 3 to do is a pain in the bum this time of year. None of them are much good left on their own and they are all in separate pens at the moment. Serious logistical planning required.
 
I bring in in twos but I have brought 4 at a time if it's raining. I have the lead rope attached to the outer horse and thread it through the headcollar of the inner horse. They get used to it :)
 
FlyingCircus said:
This makes me feel nervous even thinking about doing it haha!
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If you loop the leadrope through if anyone stops they pull against each other rather than you.

There's a polo yard near me that makes me nervous. There's a guy who ponies to hack and frequently rides one and leads 4 - on the road... That's scary!
 
Speedyfluff said:
Every year I seem to feel more and more apprehensive about bringing the horses in. It may have been made worse due to a friend of mine getting mown over by her horse and breaking her leg a few weeks ago. But I absolutely dread bringing the horses in for the night now. I have a 3 and a 4 year old, one of which is very new to me and an oldie and another younger retired horse. They all stay out 24/7 over summer and some of the autumn, then we have a transitioning period where sometimes they stay out, and sometimes they come in. All of this time I have no trouble. But as soon as they start coming in every night, ALL of them want to come in from about 3 pm. They are out in two pairs and I dread wading through the mud, trying to get head collars on with them jostling to be the first one in. Then the one left behind frets and neighs which sets off the others. I try to bring them in in the same order each time, but occasionally it's made impossible due to who is there first and due to the slippery mud. I just hate it! Anyone else?
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We are lucky most horses (except 2 come in on headcollars) we just open the gate and they walk in or trot in ( on the grass bit ) -then walk across the concrete on the back yard round into the court yard and straight into their boxes. Been doing it this way for years and only after a lot of initial training

All the horses except my new mare ( who has not learnt it ) turn themselves out too just open the doors they know where to go, just a small come on when they stop for longer grass near the gate and they go in.
 
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Reading this i am so glad i don't have problems.
I arrive, flash headlights and by the time i have popped feeds in stables they have arrived at the current gate (yard has 3 gates off it to paddocks). No mud yet, hoping it will stay like that, and too much grass tho.
 
FlyingCircus said:
I have opposite problem :')
in the evening he's at the very end of the field where I have to trek over to him, grab him and trek back to the dreaded gateway. .
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That's what the TBs do to me even today in driving rain. When I get to about 20 yards away they look up with a air of surprise as if I haven't been yelling their names across the field. Sometimes they are in different parts of the field and expect me to walk over to each in turn. Luckily Bay tb v2.0 doesn't like to left alone, so I grab Bay TB v1 trek up to the gate, take him through the gate just out of sight and wait for the sound of hooves and a anxious little whinny.
 
The Fuzzy Furry said:
Reading this i am so glad i don't have problems.
I arrive, flash headlights and by the time i have popped feeds in stables they have arrived at the current gate (yard has 3 gates off it to paddocks). No mud yet, hoping it will stay like that, and too much grass tho.
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My 2 come to call, the problem is I don't want them hooning down the slippery field to meet me ;) plus I only have pedestrian gates on my field so it's a bit of an art form to get them through and definitely easier when no one is excited!
 
I always walk over the fields with a thumb stick, ideal to lean on in slippery conditions and ideal to poke rude horses with !

I absolutely hate rude pushy horses, hungry or not they should be capable of having a collar on and walking politely at your side. Youngsters will test boundaries but they can be taught to be polite. My maxi cob came to me with appalling ground manners, I absailed and water skied behind her on numerous occasions, trampled on and crushed in gateways. We had to have words and she is fine now.

I can certainly sympathise with the OP, a pitch black field, deep mud, a gateway and a couple of rude horses really is no fun and very dangerous.
 
My 4 come in pairs. I find they're much more relaxed & easier to handle this way.
One of mine can be a little rude, it's not that he's naughty but he gets impatient & will jog & pull a bit. I lead him with a stallion chain
 
Yes. One of the reasons I went from DIY to assisted livery is that I couldn't get to the yard before 6pm, by which time my horse was more than ready to be in! It got scary at times when she was really on one and it was pitch dark!
Now, the yard brings all the assisted livery horses in together while it is still light - far safer for everyone.
 
And mine don't go out at all. No mud, no lost shoes, no hairy yaks covered in mud. No pulled muscles, no trashed fields, no knackered rugs, no kicked horses.

They work very hard all winter, and have the summer off, to be horses and chill out.
 
Speedyfluff said:
Every year I seem to feel more and more apprehensive about bringing the horses in. It may have been made worse due to a friend of mine getting mown over by her horse and breaking her leg a few weeks ago. But I absolutely dread bringing the horses in for the night now. I have a 3 and a 4 year old, one of which is very new to me and an oldie and another younger retired horse. They all stay out 24/7 over summer and some of the autumn, then we have a transitioning period where sometimes they stay out, and sometimes they come in. All of this time I have no trouble. But as soon as they start coming in every night, ALL of them want to come in from about 3 pm. They are out in two pairs and I dread wading through the mud, trying to get head collars on with them jostling to be the first one in. Then the one left behind frets and neighs which sets off the others. I try to bring them in in the same order each time, but occasionally it's made impossible due to who is there first and due to the slippery mud. I just hate it! Anyone else?
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I find a titbit helps. The system is titbit, headcollar on, through the gate and in. They all know if they didn't get the titbit they're not coming in this time. Stops one jostling another whilst I'm trying to get the headcollar on. If they try they'll get smacked with the headcollar and told to sod off. They soon learn.

Anything a bit too keen to come in will have a dually headcollar so I'm not at risk of being pulled over in the mud or pulled away from the gate before its properly shut.

I just accept the rest neighing and running around getting mud splattered because they weren't first in.

If you're going to fetch in in a fixed order, learn the ranks so the most dominant automatically keeps those below them away from the gate. Then the horse you want next is always the closest one.
 
I found it tricky bringing in mine and his best mate, they were fine, other horses were a PITA. I've had a couple of real panic attacks. Mine comes to call in the winter and has already started hanging round the gate, usefully. I have to wait til certain other horses are in, mine won't barge past them and I won't go in, mine is trained to come out and turn to face me, even before the accident.

Sorry to mention it, but my big accident was at the gate catching in, so now I'm extremely anxious if there's a crowd at the gate. Could you take someone with you, OP?
 
When I worked in a polo yard we would bring in 9 each at a time. Ride one and have 4 tied to each other either side! Never had any problems because the older ponies taught the youngsters how it was done. When we got back to the yard we used untie them and let them go and they all went in their own stables, they were brilliant!.

I now being my 4 in together, they are no problem but then I'm lucky to be in my own yard so no one else's horses have been got in before mine and wound them up.
 
spacefaer said:
And mine don't go out at all. No mud, no lost shoes, no hairy yaks covered in mud. No pulled muscles, no trashed fields, no knackered rugs, no kicked horses.

They work very hard all winter, and have the summer off, to be horses and chill out.
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I did this one winter because of horrendous mud and ended up with 2 cases of Equine Grass Sickness, one fatal, after they were turned out in spring. NEVER again. Mud doesn't usually kill.
My 2 horses stable themselves when the gate is opened. When turning out I lead one and we follow the oldie. I am lucky I suppose because they are kept at home and the way to the field is fenced.
I know that when I kept my pony with lots of others at a farm turning out and fetching in could be dangerous.
 
In winter I usually bring in two at a time and I catch and lead one and the other comes loose (obviously it depends on your set up as to if this would be safe for you to do). The loose one is usually very good, we have to go through cattle and through a silage pit where there is usually machinery working and they are both trained to stop at the edge until the driver has seen us before going past. It didn't take them long to pick it up at all. I do lead both out together so they will walk side by side, just coming in it is very steep downhill in deep slippery clay and it is easier to hold on to just one if they are sliding about. I've also taught both of mine to let me hang on to the mane and let them pull me down the hill, like skating.

Their summer turnout I never lead either of them, I just open all the gates and they put themselves in the correct stables.
 
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