Gate manners, other horse barging through at the gate.

[Penks]

I was wondering what tips anyone had for stopping other horses trying to barge through the gate when bringing in.

Basically there are 3 horses in the field, one of the horses is a companion horse and when the other 2 are brought into ride, or even just one of them is brought in, he crowds you at the gate and tries to barge through (often successfully, forcefully and dangerously) he is 16hh and does not shoo away. The problem seems to be getting worse these past few weeks, but all 3 seem alot more excitable recently.

He seems settled and not distressed on his own once the others are actually away being ridden out of sight, but trying to get either one of them out the field at the moment even to ride one at a time is a nightmare. Obviously he is anxious about being left alone in the field or he wouldn't be doing it but I was hoping there was a way to improve his behaviour.

 

[L&M]

If he is food motivated, could you put out some haylage or a bucket feed of chaff as a distraction whilst you get the others in/out?

We have a similiar set up and find this works. Also I have electric tape with a gate handle about 10ft in from the gateway which adds an additional barrier.

 

[Morgan123]

Real nightmare isn't it! I feel your pain. Would it be possible to feed hay during bringing-in time to distract him? If not, maybe the 'plastic bag on stick' option.

My friends horse does this and he's massive, and also not afraid of anything, so I'll be interested to see other peoples replies.....the above are the only things I've come up with so far and haven't tried the bag on stick option yet!

 

[AmyMay]

3 can be really difficult to manage. Does he have hay in the field?

Or perhaps bring him in for some whilst ypu ride.

 

[Iced_coffee]

Any horse coming over the top of me through the gate would get belted in the head with the headcollar. They are to big for that s***! **runs and hides**

 

[Tiddlypom]

I hate a barger, it's rude and dangerous.

I bring my 3 horses in one at a time. I have a rigid stick, about 4 feet long, which I use as a third hand to ward off anyone who tries to crowd the gate. Tbf, this only happens if it is dark, cold and windy and I am late, but it is a handy trick to have up my sleeve if they are mucking about like loons.

I practiced individually in hand with them to give them the idea, pressing it on the chest or tapping them to ask them to move back. I've only had to use the stick seriously on a handful of occasions, and I only use it on the chest, never near the head. Just carrying it is quite sufficient to instil some discipline if required.

 

[Brightbay]

My horse is currently in a field of three and we do ride two out. On those occasions, the one left behind has a bucket and a pile of hay. We also have a holding pen around the gate with electric tape, so that one horse at a time can be brought out. It is also a safety option in case the gate is blown out of my hand and swings open (it's windy here!). After the first few times, the horses quickly realise what's happening. The ones to come in stand and wait their turn, the one left behind goes and stands where the hay/feed is placed.