HELP.......I am having Field traumas

Angua2

Angua2

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my mare is in a field with another mare, a big chunky 16.3hh of cob x shire Up until last week I didn't have any issues, and since last week I am having a total nightmare.

The other horse herds my mare away, and if I do get hold of my horse the other horse goes for me.... usually by turning her back end and double barrelling. Sometimes I can keep her away by waving a schooling whip at her as advised by the mares owner, but then she pins us at the gate and goes for us with her back end. This senario is not helped by my mare who is now absolutly terrified and tries to run. My mare now has a big hock!

The other mare now takes one look at me and is now going for pre-emptive strikes while keeping my mare well away from me.

I have already asked to move fields and the YM said If i can sort it with the other owners involved then she didn't have an issue. I got the agreement of 2 out of 3 other owners, the last refusing, therefore leaving me in the same position. I could split the field but would have to take the half furthest away from the gate leaving us still with the trouble at the gate.

Would you belive I also have similar problems if I try and return my mare to the field!!

I can't win!!!

Tonight it took me 10 minutes to get a head collar on my mare and then when all hell broke loose at the gate, I ended up letting go and diving out of the field. It took me another 15 minutes to get hold of her again and just as we got out of the gate the other mare went for us. I was left with two loose horses running up and down the walk way between fields. I managed to grab my horse and herd the other back into her field , but understandably I can't keep doing this.

I am totally at a loss. I have a wimpy TB that I need to catch to feed.... feeding in the field is a no no as even if I feed both together the other mare chases mine off her feed, and I have now been told no feed by the YM so where as I could bribe/distract the other mare away I don't even have that option. Other mare won't let me near her to catch her either as she is too busy keeping herself between me and mine

God this has turned into an essay......

Jelly tots/licorice alsorts/ Icecream and baileys if you have got this far without getting totally confused
 
I'm sorry this is going to be no help at all but I had exactly the same situation a few weeks ago. In the end I had to move field completely as it got ridiculously dangerous and my horse was behaving totally out of character through fear.

I hope you get it sorted!
 
Can you build a little corral out of electric fencing inside the gate? It will give you leyway to exit the field without the other mare escaping or you getting kicked on the way through.

I'd also be tempted to take a small bottle of stones over, and rattle the bottle at the other mare to keep her away.
 
itsme123 said:
Can you build a little corral out of electric fencing inside the gate? It will give you leyway to exit the field without the other mare escaping or you getting kicked on the way through.

I'd also be tempted to take a small bottle of stones over, and rattle the bottle at the other mare to keep her away.
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Sorry, it would be a lunge whip if it was me and I'd use it too.

All fields with multiple horses in should have catch pens inside the gateways, such an obvious solution to many problems.

In your case OP I sympathise, I would be moving, either fields, or yards. No way would I put up with that situation. It is, in my opinion, something that your YO should be acting upon.

Does the culprit do this to the other horses or just yours?

Yes, horses will be horses and they do have spats and there are unavoidable field accidents but if the trouble maker was on my yard I would put her in a separate paddock straight away, no messing. I don't let things get to that stage where it is actually dangerous and I don't tolerate bullying. If the owner didn't like my solution then they would be welcome to take their horse somewhere else.
 
You said about dividing field but would still have to walk through her bit to get out.

If the gate is in one corner, why not divide it diagonally, so you can both use the gate safely? Make a square with electric fence with the gate as one side. Put the diagonal fence across the field to the corner of the square and put leccy handles on the side into your field and the side into her field so you both have a gate to get out of your respective sides and then continue out through field gate. This keeps horses seperate and everyone safe. As long as they respect the fencing.

Hope this makes sense, I think I may have made it sounder harder than it is lol!!!!
 
enfys said:
Sorry, it would be a lunge whip if it was me and I'd use it too.

All fields with multiple horses in should have catch pens inside the gateways, such an obvious solution to many problems.

In your case OP I sympathise, I would be moving, either fields, or yards. No way would I put up with that situation. It is, in my opinion, something that your YO should be acting upon.

Does the culprit do this to the other horses or just yours?

Yes, horses will be horses and they do have spats and there are unavoidable field accidents but if the trouble maker was on my yard I would put her in a separate paddock straight away, no messing. I don't let things get to that stage where it is actually dangerous and I don't tolerate bullying. If the owner didn't like my solution then they would be welcome to take their horse somewhere else.
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Just mine, there is just two horses to a field/paddock. I have been at this yard for almost 7 years and any problems have been easily sorted. THis time this mare is not proving easily sortable, as while I could split the field off ( I would have to go in the section furthest from the gate), this other mare would just go for us as we cross to come out ot the field or would I suspect just plough though my electric fencing One of the other owners wants to swap fields as she currently shares with the ex partner of the ex owner of her horse (yes try and get your head round that one) and that was who was going to swap it was all sorted..... but it is the ex-partner that is causing problem.

YM is keeping out of it all.

I did have a chat with my OH about it this evening, and we have decided to make a list of requirements and dip the toe in the water and see what is out there, as after this evening ( topped up with a row with BT) I just felt like selling!

eta........ diagonal..... mmmmmm now that is a thought.
 
i would split the field in two and have a walkway going to gate. wouldnt put up with that, you and the horse will get injured soon. and thats a big animal to get kicked by, take a lunge whip in with you if you mare isnt to bother by it and wave it at the horse to keep it away.
 
This might be a bit uncomfortable but your YM needs to know that, if there are any further injuries either to your horse or yourself, then they may be wholly liable for all costs.....and if your injury is serious then the costs would be astronimical.

It's a difficult situation and, maybe, the best answer is to try and move to another yard, but the YM has a duty of care and that's the way it is....
 
miss_buffay said:
i would split the field in two and have a walkway going to gate. wouldnt put up with that, you and the horse will get injured soon. and thats a big animal to get kicked by, take a lunge whip in with you if you mare isnt to bother by it and wave it at the horse to keep it away.
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I am going to get the electric fencing back from a friend and split the field. Since the OH and myself do not live together, I am the only earner in the household and cannot afford to be broken. Unfortunatly my mare is terrified by lunge whips/ whips persay, so that is asking for trouble.

Perhaps a move is due. I am not sure that pointing out that she would be responsible for costs would do anything TBH.
 
its a shame that you should have to move after 7 years over something that YO and YM could easily solve.
 
Angua2 said:
I am going to get the electric fencing back from a friend and split the field. Since the OH and myself do not live together, I am the only earner in the household and cannot afford to be broken. Unfortunatly my mare is terrified by lunge whips/ whips persay, so that is asking for trouble.

Perhaps a move is due. I am not sure that pointing out that she would be responsible for costs would do anything TBH.
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I feel sure that she would not take any responsibility seriously - they hardly ever do - but she has no right to put you at risk like this and, after all, you are a paying customer.....would you put up with poor service in any other form of business??
 
Can you try going up, being unable to catch your horse, and having to go and get the YM to come and get the other one out the road? If you did that 2 or 3 times she might get so fed up she would be more inclined to sort this out?
 
I would point out out the "Health & Safety" aspect of all to your YO. She is putting you in a dangerous position and if youare kicked now you would be able to sue to her. Not much help I'm afraid.
 
Keep Trying said:
I feel sure that she would not take any responsibility seriously - they hardly ever do -
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;) You have just been at the wrong yards by the sounds of things, there are a lot of very obliging YOs who go ot of their way for their Boarders about.
Any trouble making horses on my yard and they get sorted, pronto. Problem solved.
 
Yep definatly convinced I am at the wrong yard now!...... while in some aspects YM is very supportive there are other aspects such as this where it needs resolving now and no solution is immediatly forthcoming. YO is of no use as he is a senile 80 yr old who relies on his "staff" and no one is willing to take responsibility for anything. They are very fond of taking your money and then spouting "at your own risk"!!
 
your YO/YM are putting you in a dangerous situation. The risk for injury is great both for you and for your horse. I would be laying down the line strongly I'm afraid and let them know that you will have to move your horse if a suitable solution can't be found.
I had problems at a previous yard where my horse was being bullied.The YO immediately agreed to let me keep my horse away from the culprits of the bullying and within a month he was able to be successfully reintegrated into the herd without further issues.
At the very least they should offer an alternative field to keep your horse in,if this is possible or allow you to electric fence a section away from the bully so that you can bring your horse safely in and out of the field.
 
If you can seperate the field in two parts, have the bully away from the gate. That way she is only ever in your half when someone is holding her ie bringing in/out. If your mare is injured speak to the owner of the other mare, I would be mortified if one of my horses kicked someone elses! The other owner should be trying to sort this too.
If all else fails, move yards.
 
Lots to think about.

As an interim measure I am getting my electric fencing back from a friend and will be splitting the field off in such a way that I don't have to run the gauntlet. It is such a shame that it has come to this, as the YM will percieve this as the solution, whereas in reality it is only a sticking plaster.

Well my mare will enjoy it as I have decided to give her a "holiday" until the fencing arrives.... it is just not worth the risk to either of us.
 
I would move yards as quickly as possible so as to avoid an injury to eaither you or your horse Electric fencing can fail so please be aware of this as the other horse may get in by either jumping it or barging through or if it breaks or becomes earthed or the battery fails.
 
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