Field walking/pacing

[madhector]

Anyone had any experience with a horse that does it? Any tips on getting them to relax in the field?

Is this technically a vice? (I know it is a vice in the sense it is annoying, but as far as selling etc)

Thanks

 

[rara007]

I'm not sure if this would be a total disaster or work, leaing the horse out 24/7 with company? Would depend on horse as it could make or break.

 

[piebaldsparkle]

My friends horse paces the fence line if in a field on it's own, but is fine in company. Does this horse have a field companion??

 

[_Libby_]

My mare did this when i moved yard, she eventually stopped but still does it when a horse leaves the field.

Is it a new thing the horse has started or has anything stressful happened?

 

[madhector]

yep, is always out with another, she is fine for a few hours, but the starts pacing around lunchtime, I like them out as much as possible, but have ended up getting her in early as she looks so stressed

 

[_Libby_]

is there enough grass in the field? perhaps she is hungry?

 

[madhector]

She is new to me so have no idea if she has done it all her life tbh, old owner said she called when in season and didnt settle well then, but otherwise was fine, so might be the move upset her, or we were misled slightly

 

[arwenplusone]

My mare does it when she goes into a new field - regardless of company. She only does it for a few days and then settles down until there is another change!

That said she is also a severe weaver so the field walking is less of a bother tbh!

Keeps her fit

 

[madhector]

there is still quite a bit, and I have started chucking out hay in case that helps, she has a feed before she goes out too

 

[madhector]

See this one is still a little underwieght for my liking so isnt helping her really, there is only so much I can feed her, and then she sends all afternoon walking it off

 

[_Libby_]

how long have you had her?

I wouldnt worry about it , sounds like a stress thing due to the move and hopefully it will just take time, it took my mare 3 months before she stopped

 

[pottamus]

My boy used to do this so much in the winter that he ploughed part of the field and would come in covered in thick mud up his legs and plastered along his stomach...it was awful and I started leaving him in more as did not want to be washing him in the cold.
I had not had him long and soon realised that he was cold and fed up with the weather. He was a transformed horse with a rug and field shelter to hide in. I also let him have access to more grazing and he has been fine ever since...he likes to be cosy I guess.

 

[madhector]

aww..that sounds like Hector was, he was such a wimp, only ever managed a few hours out in the winter.

She is rugged and in at night, and its been so mild so dont think she can be cold

 

[piebaldsparkle]

This is probably not practical, but my mare stands by the gate waiting to come in as soon as she sees any movement on the yard, even if she has only been out for a couple of hours, but happily stays out all night (which is her summer time routine).

 

[arwenplusone]

could be a boredom issue? perhaps turn her out a little later if you can??
Or is there a 'mate' on the yard she's looking for/missing?

 

[henryhorn]

Our stallion does it frequently, we feed him more because of it, and it does have some benefits, as we reckon he does the equivalent of many miles exercise in walk a day.. After a comp he loosens himself off that way too.
The bad things are he makes a track round every field, if it gets muddy he doesn't care just ploughs on, and we have to use electric fence to divert him.
You can make barriers with the tape but unless he is walking through mud we just let him walk, and keep him in when the weather gets bad.

 

[madhector]

Thanks for all your advice everyone, I have to turn her out early before work, but for now she can come in for the afternoon as she may as well be happy, maybe in a few weeks she will settle down a bit, she will just end up super fit I suppose

 

[JaneMBE]

I had big problems with Herbie when he came. He churned up two paddocks, wasn't settled at all.
Decided to get him to bond with one horse (Phantom) and they were separated from the others, this worked a treat and when he went back to the field, he didn't field walk.
Downside is, he is totally dependent on Phantom now and has major panics if apart!

 

[Paint it Lucky]

Does she get fed when she comes in? Prehaps she paces because she knows it is nearly time to come in and get fed? Then again she may just not like being out for very long.