Foal jumping out of arena

[Annette C]

Our 5 month old foal is jumping out of our ménage . The first time he did it, he was at 2 months old and turned out with his mum, and we found him happily grazing the field adjacent to it, leaving his mum in the arena. After that , they were turned out together in a field with Tornado fencing and electrified top rail, and we had no problems. However, now they’re stabled at night and turned out into the ménage for a couple of hours a day, (because the fields are too muddy and wet ) and he keeps jumping out over the 1.30m fencing despite having ad lib haylage in the arena . He isn’t panicking about anything - ( he does it when we’re in the arena with him ) and is still suckling off his mum. Obviously he needs to be exercised daily - does anyone have any advice or experience with foals if similar temperament?

 

[twiggy2]

He will be bored witless, foals need other youngsters and plenty of space, they need to be living out at grass.
Look for a more suitable place to keep them before he injures himself

 

[Hormonal Filly]

He’s 5 months old and gets 2 hours turnout a day in a ménage

It’s not surprised he’s jumping out.

 

[MissTyc]

To be honest, I'd select one of my paddocks and agree with myself that I will ignore the mud and water and make it a sacrifice field for the rest of the winter with piles of hay. You can still bring them in overnight, but you'd know he was able to move and learn his legs.

 

[ihatework]

This is a disaster waiting to happen
If you don’t have adequate facilities at home please send them somewhere set up for foals.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Our 5 month old foal is jumping out of our ménage . The first time he did it, he was at 2 months old and turned out with his mum, and we found him happily grazing the field adjacent to it, leaving his mum in the arena. After that , they were turned out together in a field with Tornado fencing and electrified top rail, and we had no problems. However, now they’re stabled at night and turned out into the ménage for a couple of hours a day, (because the fields are too muddy and wet ) and he keeps jumping out over the 1.30m fencing despite having ad lib haylage in the arena . He isn’t panicking about anything - ( he does it when we’re in the arena with him ) and is still suckling off his mum. Obviously he needs to be exercised daily - does anyone have any advice or experience with foals if similar temperament?

Hello Annette, welcome to the forum.
From your wording it sounds as if you keep the mare and foal at your home and I'm guessing this is a first foal for you? You must have had an exciting year!
I agree with the other posters- he isn't likely to be panicking or hungry, just trying to burn off spare energy & look for entertainment.
What you do about it depends on the logistics of your situation but I would do something soon so he doesn't hurt himself.
If more turnout at home isn't a possibility, can you move them both somewhere - If you say roughly where you live someone might be able to suggest a place.

 

[ycbm]

Please do not turn him out there again. The most likely scenario is that he will one day misjudge the height, get his front leg(s) stuck between the top rail and the next one down, rotate over the top and either break or severely damage one or both of his front legs. Next most likely is that he will misjudge the landing, faceplant and break his neck.

I'm not exaggerating, I know of young horses which have done both of those.
.

 

[SEL]

Gulp. A friend has a 4yo who will never be ridden as the result of trying to jump a fence as a foal and getting it wrong. A few hours in an arena isn't enough stimulation for a foal - are your fields totally unusable? Mine are saturated bog but fine for a buck & canter. I can deal with the poached bits in spring.

 

[AmyMay]

You’re going to have no option but to turn him and mum out.