HELP! My mare won't settle

diva12

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1 January 2010
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My mare won't settle in the field, when trying to bring her in she either spins round in a circle as though being lunged or charges through the electric fencing in panic.

Anyone have any ideas?

My friends and I have tried bringing her in/out with other horses and in daylight and this doesn't seem to help.
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Questions:

Is it all electric fencing?
Are other horses trying to get out at the same time?
What headcollare are you using?
Has she always done this, or is it a new thing?
Is she okay in the field when you're not doing things with her?
What is she like to handle the rest of the time?
Is she hungry?
 
Not all electric, the side by the gate is wooden with a metal five bar.
No other horses trying to get out at the same time.
Tried a normal adjustable headcollar and a parelli halter and a bridle!
Not always done this, moved yards a couple of weeks ago and this started.
She stays mainly around the gate when I am not there.
Very calm and easy to handle the rest of the time and a pleasure to ride.
Always has a good supply of hay in the field and stable so not hungry.

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Yes mainly me with my friend occasionally.

I tried putting her in a different paddock, she seemed more settled with going to the field and ate the grass and wandered around, but then when it came to coming in I went to put the headcollar on and that was when she charged through the fence.

Tried the same paddock today and she cantered round and round the field until she was absolutely wet through and exhausted then went to the stable as though nothing had happened.

She always goes back to the stable if she gets loose, but it worries me that she gets into such a blind panic.

Any tips for calming?
 
What about giving her a feed in paddock so she has no reason to rush to stable.If it works then do it for few weeks until she settles back down again.
 
Just a thought...when she's in the isolation paddock have you ever gone out to the field to give her a bit of a fuss and not caught her? Maybe take a picnic chair, fifteen layers of clothing and a good book out to the field tomorrow. Will bring hot drinks.
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Some horses can take a long time to settle in to a new field/yard and routine. The really important thing is for you to establish a routine that she can rely on and keep to it. Ensure that she is brought in in the daylight - and that she is never the last horse left in the field.

You say that there is hay in the field, but are you sure she is able to get any? Until a herd is established, then the hay should be put down in more piles than horses to ensure that they all get some (rather than just feeding it from one place, which means that horses down the pecking order are unlikely to get any).
 
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