Help - Lack of confidence with gradual turn out

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Mantha Pink Pantha

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Hi
I'm new here and have only recently got my first horse about 4 weeks ago, basic background is that she has been on box rest with me due to a severe worm infestation plus her health & condition when she arrived at her new stables from the previous owner was extremely poor to say the least. (this a matter that still makes me seethe with anger but is another story for another time)
On a positive note she has been gaining weight and her EWC has come back with great results which now means I can take her out in hand for a little bit each day.
My problem stems from my a) losing my nerve walking her in hand and into the field as last few times I've taken her out she's gone a bit crazy biscuits due to her confinement and seeing open space!!! :D and b) the help I was offered at the yard hasnt been forthcoming, and although I have received help from other people I've now made friends at this yard and this has been a total lifeline for me, I now really need some guidance on how to master my fears and get my little girl out so she doesnt get depressed or worse!
I feel like I'm struggling to stay afloat at the moment.

Any helpful tips really gratefully received. (Have started to write positive mantra down in vain hope it does some good lol)

Thanks x
 
Thanks Amymay

I've considered that, owner of yard thinks a very gradual intro to grass may be better, she was stabled 24/7 before I bought her for a few months so I think the worry is colic. But I think she needs to burn off some beans! So may let her go out for an hour or two and get it off her chest.

x
 
Mantha Pink Pantha said:
Thanks Amymay

I've considered that, owner of yard thinks a very gradual intro to grass may be better, she was stabled 24/7 before I bought her for a few months so I think the worry is colic. But I think she needs to burn off some beans! So may let her go out for an hour or two and get it off her chest.

x
Click to expand...

Would be great.
 
You say your not confident leading her to the field, what are you currently leading her in? A short time in something stronger untill she is used to going out again and you are happy leading her might help. Do you have an arena? if so could she go out for a bit in there if your worried about colic.
 
amymay said:
Turn her out - and leave her out for several hours.
Click to expand...

This.
My horse was supposed to have inhand excersise then light ridden (still from the box) after a fracture. I did try as did other people but it was absolutely lethal. I doped him up and turned him out in a small area (do you have a school?)
He still went mental but only for half hour then he ate.....problem over!
 
I do feel for you as leading out a horse that has been on boxrest can be very frightening & dangerous, even the most placid horse can turn into a total monster.

As others have said, turnout would be great for her, maybe an hour in an arena with a haynet followed by a couple of hours out at grass? I would have thought that you could build up over a period of 10 days to her going out for 6-7 hours.

Do you have someone experienced that could lead her out for you for these first few times? Make sure that if you are leading you wear good boots, gloves & a hat.

Hopefully the weather will warm up soon & she will settle into her new routine & you will be able to enjoy her.

Good luck.
 
I am gathering the issue is time on grass rather than an injury which means she has to be prevented from having a loopy moment? If so use a lunge line in the field rather than a lead rope. You don't need to have them right next to you to hand graze, so long as you don't have to try and catch them when time is up and you can ensure they don't go mad whilst eating - a little leap and a circle on the line is really not going to hurt. Mine starts every year on gradual turnout 20min to half day over a period of 10 days then on full turnout. The first few times I turnout on the menage first to reduce the petrol in the tank. Also I find he is better when handgrazed with another horse in the field who is also handgrazing.
 
Thanks everyone,

I'm going to try some 'burn off' time in the arena/menage tonight with someone there to keep an eye on us both as she was bucking last time we took her out. I need her to chill a bit. I've been using a lunge line but I think I'm just so nervous I'm jumping at everything expecting her to explode. To her credit once she gets the extra energy off her chest she does calm down but then I'm a bag of nerves and so bad I forget to breathe! not helpful!

Yeah her health isnt an issue any longer as we have spent some weeks building her immune and ensuring she is better, its just really to get her out and eventually to a good turnout routine without her shooting for the moon with me still attached to rope! x

Doesn't help that she is a TB bred for flat racing so wen she goes, she really does!!!! (eeeek!) Falsely adveertised as a nervous/novice ride! Pah!
 
Firstly lead her out in a control headcollar / slip or bridle with gloves and a lunge line. This will make you feel a bit safer and more in control. Any horse will be a bit fresh after box rest so dont feel that you are failing or are being silly for being cautious - they're big animals when they're prancing about being idiots! :)

Then like the others have said i'd turn her out for a few hours at a time. Is there fields with less grass you could use? Maybe ones used for the winter that have been eaten down a little?

She can then have a bit of a hooley and eat without hurting herself or you. If you have to graze in hand i'd use a lunge line so shes got space to be a bit of an idiot whilst not bouncing on top of you. If need be take a crop or such with you to keep her off you. She sound slike shes fallen on her feet with you and I'm sure pretty soon this will be a distant memory! Dont be scared to ask questions though, buying your first hrose is a big enough step without the health issues you've obviously had to deal with as well.

good luck x
 
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