Fence walking - cured by group turnout?

P

pixie27

Well-Known Member
Joined
18 August 2016
Messages
588
Visit site
So I moved my boy onto a new yard about three months ago. I'd had him at a different place for two months before that (when I bought him). Had to move as he was turning into a nightmare to ride and I was fast losing confidence, so moved to my RI's yard. At the first yard, he was out with three others in a huge field. He had new injuries every day (including one kick but was from barefoot pony so only superficial) and could be a rat to catch if he wanted to stay out for longer. Most of the time he was out happily 8am - 6pm ish.

At the new yard, he's been awful. It's all individual turn out, but he's got horses next to him and in front of him, and he can touch/scratch over the fence. I don't like it, but it was either move and get help from RI, or sell. He was fine for the first week, then another very stressy horse arrived and went in the field next to him. She fence walks a lot, and he picked it up from her. Now he'll start fence walking at around 2, and has to be in by 3 as he's trashing the field. He doesn't stop, and will do it relentlessly until he comes in. He's never last out, he's never on his own, can always see others.

So, is there anything I can do about it? I'm having to get him in by 3 every day which is crap for him (he then is very irritable in stable), and for my social life/bank balance (as I'm having to feed so much hay). Or is it a case of find a new yard with group turnout and hope he settles with company? He's young and a very sociable horse, and I just want him to be happy!
 
Could you turn him and the other stressy horse out together? They might benefit each other and if introduced properly, they're unlikely to fight. Your only problem then might be separating them!
 
Yes I thin you need to find a better turnout arrangement - likely in a bigger field or with more company.
 
Yes we both thought of putting them together, but they're stabled next to each other and are quite clingy already so think it would just be a nightmare! Sadly none of the others want to go in a group.

They got in together a while ago and were happy, and walk up together fine, but just get too attached when near each other (which is where/how the fence walking started).
 
He sounds quite stressed and insecure. It really isn't ideal to keep horses on individual turnout (although understandable why) but when they are distressed by it then it's erring towards a welfare issue.

I'd at least trial having the fieldmate as a companion. You will likely find they get very attached so the success will be whether you can ride them individually and leave the other behind. Otherwise it sounds like a case of find more suitable facilities
 
Individual turnout does not suit all horses. Even if they can touch etc over the fence. My last mare couldn't give a damn if she was kept alone or in company - just wasn't bothered at all.

My current girl would pace relentlessly in the type of setup you describe, if she were still in ridden work (she's retired) she'd be very spooky and generally upset/distressed and difficult to deal with.

If it were me I'd put the two upset ones in together and see what happens if you brought them in for the night then took one away to be ridden.
 
Just because they are clingy when they are together it doesn't mean it will interfere with ridden work, my two horses adore each other but both go away from the other and work happily. It sounds like you currently have an unhappy horse so it's worth trying, baring in mine it way get worse before it gets better, horses need a good amount of time to settle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top