HELP mare has turned into maniac bringing in from field !!

S

sievehead75

New User
Joined
25 October 2009
Messages
2
Visit site
I would love some suggestions, from the second half of last winter, and now this week since coming back in at night my mare has turned into an idiot ! Fine to ride etc and once in her stable, however once caught and she reaches the gate of her field and then supposed to walk down the 100 yard track to yard, she will start to throw her weight about untill it gets so dangerous we have to let her go. She then canters full speed straight into her stable. I put the lead rope under chin but once she decides to go thats it ! Im sure it is bad manners\hunger related but need to get on top of the sittuation as I need to rely on others to bring her in but cant risk anyone getting hurt. Any ideas welcome. <font color="black"> </font>
 
Have you tried leading her in her bridle to make her a bit more managable and to respect that she is to behave?
 
shocked.gif
oh dear... try leading her in a bridle maybe?
 
I don't know how convenient it would be faffing around to put it on, but is it worth bringing her in in a bridle? Maybe once you have that extra control she'll realise she can't get away with it and that she will get in eventually!

ETA Aaaah, triple post!
tongue.gif
 
you could try using a chiffney bit gives you more control over the headcollar i used one on work experiance on a horse that would tank you in from the feild or you could lead her in her bridle so you have more control

at the yard that i used to work at we put the rope through the horses mouth like a bit saved you using a bridle and it had a better effect
 
Yeah looks that way haha .I also had a cob that was rather bolshy when every he tried to get faster when leading i would always turn him around in a circle before he could get ahead of me and drag me along.He soon got the hang of this as he got bored of going round in circles .
 
Snap!! I have same problem, Grooms at my yard have been leading her in with a chifney, and I've been keen to top using that, so this weekend have invested in a stallion chain, You can use it in a number of ways, and I'm going to use it over the nose to begin with, tonight she was a star! long may it continue. Good luck
 
Rather than a bridle try making it into a slip, with just the cheek pieces/ throatlash. Much easier to pop over the top / take off. Or could you try to make an alternative gateway so that she knows that ones she's through the gate, its not a clean shot up to her stable
 
another one for the chiffney-quick and easy to put on. From time to time my boy thinks about getting a bit pushy coming in and he has a chain (he chews everything in sight) on his rope and I will loop that around his nose if he gets pushy.

However, you mention that you sometimes get other people to bring her in? are you in a DIY? I had a mare on loan who soon worked out she could take the mick with certain others taking her in, so ended up having to have her in a seperate field just for me to get her in and out!
 
My boy used to awful to bring in before i bought a Monty Roberts dually halter. When he tries to be bolshy I make him back up so it takes him longer to get to his stable... it's working at the mo but it has to be correctly fitted.
 
thanks everyone, was thinking about the chiffney myself, she fine to catch so I think I will be ok to get it on etc. its soo furstrating as its quite random, some days ok then all of a sudden the devel takes hold, you never have any warning !! Would a week or so with the chifney be enough and then try without ?I have the offer of a strong man to assit also which may give her more respect, not that Im a weak girl.!!
The circling is a bit tricky as track is only 10 ft wide and she often throws you and herself up againt the fence if you restrict her.
 
I would sugest trying either a chifney or a Dually halter - I lead my boy over an open commonland today with alsorts going on and was able to keep a hold of him - he's 16hh 2y/o cleveland bay and VERY strong... I'm 5ft10 and 10 stone...
 
Any rope halter needs to be looked at carefully. I have always used a horsemans halter on all my horses they work brilliantly.

You do need to give the horse a choice to run into them or stay walking beside you if you keep the pressure on all the time with a short lead rein they are useless the the horse is likely to rebel even more.

Do take time to learn the principles as they are very powerful tools.
 

Personally, if others are going to be bringing her in, I'd start to use a chifney and if it works, stick with it through the winter. If she's anything like mine she'll really take the P if someone new handles her and she's not sure they know what they're doing, so better to be safe than sorry, you don't want her injuring anyone.

Also, what are her manners like in general? If they are less than perfect it may be worth doing some groundwork to put her in her place. I don't mean that she's bargy and rude generally as it doesn't sound like she is, just subtle little things like stepping into your personal space, taking one step forwards as you mount, are all ways of getting 'one over' on you and testing where the boundaries lie - if you can correct the little things and make sure she knows where she stands at all times, the big things may well improve in time as well. Good luck
smile.gif
 
The dually halter worked wonders with Geni! Quite a few girls swear by it at the yard. Whatever you try I hope she settles down soon! xx
 
I have one very similar. He gets worse when other people bring him in as he sizes them up straight away and walks all over them. I found putting rope over his nose works well with mine. I used to carry a schooling whip with me and used it to keep him moving and to keep him out of my space. Whenever he tries barging (as he has a habit of cutting infront of people) I just make him walk backwards/sideways until he gives in. That usually works best.

The only problem I would have with a chifney/bridle is that if you let go and she runs off then the rope is going to be trailing and if she stands on it... ouch!!! Also with mine, he has the habit of tucking his chin into his chest and bouncing with a bridle on.
 
Why is she so starving hungry coming in? Not ideal for trickle feeders. If you're looking for a quick solution while you work on her manners, couldn't you take a few handfuls of her feed with you and give it to her outside the gate? Take the edge off her hunger? Then only bring her the rest when she's safely boxed - don't have it waiting there on the floor of the stable.
 
A Dually might help but personally I would use a halter (I have one I was lent by friend, it came from Richard Maxwell) so the pull is over the nose and gives you good control. Or a chiffney - but be careful and get someone to show you how to fit and how to use effectively, they are very severe.
 
Could you try bringing her in earlier? my girl can be like this, if I am later than usual and her mates have been brought in, she will seem fine then play up on the way to the stable. I would say do some groundwork with her as well, it may help.
Good luck
 
[ QUOTE ]
Any rope halter needs to be looked at carefully. I have always used a horsemans halter on all my horses they work brilliantly.


[/ QUOTE ]

Curious as to what you call a horsemans halter please.

There are so many styles about with different labels.



 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top