fence walking making keeping my horse impossible, what to do???

[learn2horse]

We have imposed certain conditions on horses due to domestication - just remember in nature a horse does not fence walk (no fences!). However, it is impossible in most circumstances to be able to keep horses how nature truly intended, but by doing the best you can to reduce stress and allow her as much freedom as is possible within domestic confines, she can 'unlearn' this habit. Keep out 24/7 as others have suggested with a companion or 2, have her tested for ulcers, keep to a reasonable routine and don't overfeed. On the subject of feeding, always feed plenty of forage above and beyond everything else! Most horses do not need more than hay or hayalge and grass, depending on work load - we often think they are working harder than they actually are! I have a free online feeding course that goes into all the basics - ask me for link if interested - but overfeeding concentrates can be a cause of many an issue. It's hard when you have a horse at livery in this situation, but it is possible to solve it, keep the hope.

 

[MagicMelon]

Find grass livery in a stable herd and leave her out. You don't mention whether she's on individual turnout but I'd guess she is from her behaviour.

I'd do this too definately. I wouldn't hang around to watch her, leave her to it. She might do it to begin with but should settle when she sees the other horses are calmly off eating etc. Give her plenty of hay to keep her amused as well. But definately out with company, that isn't then taken away from her so she's left on her own as that won't help obviously.

I took on a horse who had been stabled permanently for years bar the odd 20 mins off individual turnout very occassionally "because he gallops around and hates it". I began by turning him out into a 6ft high mesh fenced stable sized grass area for short periods, then slowly increasing the size of it to eventually a large paddock (with extra high electric) and also the length of time out once he became calm (he did mess about a lot to begin with). After about 6 months, he was living out 24/7 and loves it. He's so much more chilled than when he first arrived. I bet his previous owners would have told you it couldn't be done.