Getting a horse out the field?

[Natashajade]

Hi I'm only 12 and I find that when I'm leading my horse out the field , all the other 11 horses follow me and try to squeeze through the gate with me and my horse! I'm now nervous to lead my horse out the field! Is there a way to so this with confidence and without the others trying to get out? Please help!

 

[Pinkvboots]

No wonder your nervous must be scary can you get an adult to help you, I really think its quite dangerous for a 12 year old to have to do this alone you could really get hurt, can you get the yard to bring your horse in for you? Ask an adult for some help please dont try it alone.

 

[Natashajade]

Hello my mom is petrified of horses so its normally me who does it alone I have started to ask for people to help bring my horse in with me but when I go up, there not always there to help so I'm trying to find a way to do it myself! But I find it really scary! I know it sounds daft but its quite intimidating! And the thing scares me the most is its normally the 4yo 18hh shire that's first to try and escape! An this is what I find even more intimidating x

 

[suffolkmare]

Agree that you have good reason to seek help with bringing in your horse. Mine only has one field mate but he is sometimes rude, trying to eat my pockets, bite the headcollar, etc. and can put himself between me and the gate so I can imagine how
difficult 11 other animals would be! Because of there are so many this could become dangerous for you, just too many to check who might decide to bite or kick you or your horse, so no easy solution for you I'm afraid. Maybe someone else has a good trick to help

 

[Natashajade]

I'm considering asking if I can move him fields to one with less horses in maybe? X

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It is ridiculous that you are left to get your horse out of a field of 11. YO should arrange for your horse to be in a field with a few amenable companions that you can get your horse out of easily, or be prepared to at least go with you every time you get him out of the field.
This is a problem with livery yards, our horses live at home and we ALWAYS bring them in in their hierarchical order and then put back any that we don't want.

 

[flirtygerty]

That sounds really dangerous, I would ask your YO to fence the gate area off with electric fencing, giving you a chance to get your pony into a safe area, you could also use your lead rope to chase the others back, once you are safe, please let us know the outcome

 

[Natashajade]

There is 11 in our field and only 5 in the mares field! And about 6 of the ones in my boys field are mares!

 

[Joandripple]

Natashajade, I sympathise with u. I, too, had to contend with many other horses when getting my boy in, so I took a whip me. I never had to u it on any of the horses but just had tap my boot or flick it abit and that did the trick normally. I must stress that my boy also seemed to know that it was not in any way directed at him and seemed, to me, quite pleased that i had it and then was to not be bullied by the gate by the others and also when the gateway was a knee deep quog mire! I am sure someone else will come along with other ideas for u to try, but having someone else with u has to be a must especially as u are only 12. Let us know how it goes.

 

[brightmount]

I sympathise with you, I used to be on a yard with big herds in the field. Please wear a hat in these situations, it might not be cool, but it's better to be sensible and stay safe. Your yard ought to have a duty of care to make the situation easier for all liveries, because if I owned one of the other horses in the field, I wouldn't want it escaping any more than you would want to be responsible for a breakout. The best way to manage gateways with large herds is to set up a holding pen at the gate, either with electric tape or a proper wooden one. Could you get support for that idea amongst other liveries and persuade the YO to set one up? That way, if your horse is safely in the holding pen you can open the gate without the others breaking through. Likewise when turning back out, you can close the gate before leading him out of the holding pen back into the field.

 

[Natashajade]

I have tried a whip but my horse gets skittish about it! And it is in no way directed at him and I have tried soothing him while using it to warn the others of but he just freaks! And yes I always wear my hat and my body protecter!! And I think a holding pen Is a brilliant Idea! Ill definately try and gather people together to get the YO to do one of those as it would be really helpful! X

 

[Pearlsasinger]

OP please don't go into field with an 18hh 4 yr old Shire and 10 others waving a whip about., that is just asking for trouble!
Ask your mum to insist that YO makes some arrangement to keep you safe. I hope you always wear a hard hat, gloves and good boots when handling your horse.

 

[amandap]

Good advice to ask for help. It sounds a potentially dangerous situation and you shouldn't be left to cope alone. I expect some adults will have problems as well. The yard really needs to look at this seriously.