Field Problems (warning - mini rant!)

S

Starlite

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Am I right in being annoyed by this?

When I moved to the yard I am currently on the field my new horse is now in had 1 large horse and 4 small ponies in it and the YM said it couldn’t hold anymore then that.

Over the years there has been natural turnover at the yard and my new horse went out in that field with 2 other big horses. A new horse (A) got introduced into the field and my horse unfortunately took an intense dislike to it and basically beat A up
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(run him into fences, tried to knock him on the floor etc) forcing him to be moved into a field with some ponies. The field stayed relatively quiet after that until the YM’s friend bought a new horse (B) and it was announced it was going out in our field.
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After a week of it being in the field behind it was then put out in our’s. My horse was in for shoeing the day B went out so it had a chance to meet the others before mine went out. Unfortunately another horse in the field gave it a nasty kick and obviously upset B enough that it spent an hour galloping up and down one side of the field until it was dripping with sweat.
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The YM then announced that the best idea is to split our (relatively small) field into two with electric fencing and have my horse and the original 2 field buddies in the back section and B in the front with another pony and the horse A.
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I am not happy that my horse is now in a very small field and also separated from a horse that he took an intense dislike to by some electric fencing. This morning when I turned my horse out I had to lead it through where A was turned out and A followed us – fortunately not close enough for my horse to take offence but what I am supposed to do if one day A does get too close?
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It just seems to be one rule for one and one for another as previously if a horse had got kicked badly in a field it was moved or the owner was told tough, they will settle down eventually. The actual YO said they thought the measure was only temporary until the other horses accepted B but when I spoke to the YM today she said that if my horse and A don’t get on then it will stay permanent.

I don’t want to move yards but when we have summer (24/7) turnout I can’t see how a small halved field will sustain 3 big horses who all live out for very long?
 
Unfortunately YO's do have to do what they think is best for the horses that are there at the time, and changes in horses often means difficulties in sorting out field groups.

How big is your field (or half a field?) and is there a way of getting into it without going through other horses?

Maybe have a chat with YO and express your concerns as she may not realise... ?
 
I am inclined to think the owner is being sensible about keeping animals separated when they seem to be unable to get along. I don't think any horse should just be plonked in a field with strangers, it is a very dangerous thing to do.

You don't say what size this field is ?
 
We have 12 horses in one field at our yard it is very large about 20 A .It is a nightmare as we dont have a proper manager its owed by a local authority. The farm manager lets us sort it out but with 10 owners we never can agree. When a new horse comes it just gets turns out, only about 3 of us complain so we just have to put up with it. I would love to leave but there is not any spaces near by that do DIY
 
Its not the seperation that I have a problem with, I understand the need for that til the horses get used to each other. Its the whole "it might become a permanent feature" and the need to try to reintroduce A into the field when he had been happy in his pony field.

The field is approx 2 acres I think.

No there is no way to lead my horse through without going through the front section where A and B are
 
I would definitely talk to YO/YM - both together if at all possible so you don't get half a story!

Tell them your concerns, particularly about walking through field with A in it.

My friends horse suffered an awful injury and nearly lost his eye by trying to be to friendly to a horse who was being led through his field.
 
So you have to lead your horse through one side of the paddock to get to your side of the paddock? Could you ask for your horse and his buddies to be kept in the front part of the paddock? Or ask them to put in another gate on your end?

That really sounds like an accident waiting to happen, if I am understanding this right.
 
That could be even worse though Tia, as the OP's horse is then free to attack horse A every time they come in through his field. I think the only way is to have a totally separate entrance. Would it be possible to split the field so that you can both use the gate and once through the gate the field is then split into two?
 
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