Help- pony breaking out!

[Pinkcheshirecat]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me. A bit of background, we have 2 acres, with 4 paddocks a ménage and a stable block. We had 2 mini shetlands who get on well, we have recently added a cob pony (4yr old mare) and another mini. All the minis are gelded. The minis had initial disagreements but are now fine, we were advised to separate the mare so she sees us as her herd, in order that we can back her more easily. Also advised to restrict her grazing as she is over ideal condition score. So.... we’ve followed that advice, but it has meant that the mare has crashed through 2 fences to get to the minis, has broken the chain on the gate. We have let them into the paddock together last night in an effort to prevent this, but stabled her again this morning to restrict grazing and she’s going bonkers while being lunged and is now kicking out in the stable.... suggestions please? We’re at our wits end! Thanks if you got this far!!

 

[Pinkvboots]

I wouldn't turn her out alone it's not normal for horses to live alone hence why she is breaking out, and she probably is not keen on coming in on her own either, can't you bring one of the minis in as well to keep her company while she is stabled and being worked?

 

[HeyMich]

Who gave you the advice to keep her separate?

I'd much rather be working with a calm, settled, secure horse than a nervous and agitated one, simply due to turn-out arrangements. She's screaming at you that she's not happy! Put her back in with the herd (restrict grazing with a companion if needed) and then you will have a far easier, calmer, more confident horse to deal with.

Work with her calmly and consistently. If she's agitated coming in away from the herd then go right back to basics - bring her in, stand and groom for 5 mins then praise and let her back out again. Repeat and increase the time slowly. Only teach her new things (lunging etc) when she's calm, happy and responsive, otherwise she'll not learn a thing!

Good luck and let us know how you get on x

 

[be positive]

People do have some odd ideas, I have backed numerous equines over the years and have never kept them alone to make it easier and as you are finding it has really upset her, I cannot imagine she requires any more restricting than the minis who must be on limited grass to keep them slim so leave her with them and gradually start again once they are really settled.

You probably need some professional help to start her properly so find someone, not the "expert" who told you to put her alone, who will come out and assist with the whole process without resorting to dubious methods.

 

[Pinkcheshirecat]

Thanks- it was actually the riding instructor who is helping us to back her. It was initially because she has such a strong bond with the new mini that every time we tried to work her she’d be trying to get to him. So she’s not settled whether she’s with him in the field or not..... when he was 2 paddocks away and the other 2 minis were next to her was the only time she was happy to work... We’ve put her in with them for the moment as I’d rather she didn’t injure herself, but longer term, we need her in work.

 

[JillA]

Doing groundwork with the mare will reinforce your relationship with her, not keeping her on her own. On a simple practical level just now others' tails are vital to get rid of flies - let the herd take care of her and do the groundwork.
Kelly Marks has written a couple of useful books, and be prepared to get professional help for the final stages (riding instructor is a riding instructor, not a professional horse trainer - very different things). Too many misfits around these days because those doing the training didn't fully understand how to break and train - and you will inevitably need an experienced other pair of hands

 

[WandaMare]

How long has she been with you? Her stressing might also be because she is still feeling unsettled in the new environment. Some of them can be extra clingy to others when they first move. I would leave her with the others at least till she settles in and feels secure in her new home. After a few weeks she might just be calmer about moving away from the others anyway, then she will be in a better frame of mind to start work.

 

[Pinkcheshirecat]

We are using a very experienced instructor, with lots of experience backing and this has all gone on since the last time the instructor was here. In fairness, they can see each other wherever they are, so she can see them at all times. We’ll take on board your suggestions, I think we’ve probably asked a bit too much of her, and will need to ease off a bit and build back up as suggested. There’s a lot for us to learn, but we are committed to doing the best for them- thank you all so much for the advice!

 

[HeyMich]

In fairness, they can see each other wherever they are, so she can see them at all times.

It's not just about being able to see each other - horses need physical contact (to groom, reassure and communicate) and move in and around each other as the herd dynamics change. You risk making her anxious and needy by not giving her the natural interactions of a companion/herd at such a young age. I would seriously question your instructor over this advice.

 

[Pinkcheshirecat]

We’ll keep them together from now on. It all sounds like common sense and what we’d intuitively have done, we bought more so they could live as a herd, so just need to reassure her. Thanks all!

 

[be positive]

We’ll keep them together from now on. It all sounds like common sense and what we’d intuitively have done, we bought more so they could live as a herd, so just need to reassure her. Thanks all!

She will gradually get used to leaving them, start to accept the work you want to do with her and most likely given time become more independent and happy to spend time alone, mares generally are less clingy once they know what is going on in their life but when they are stressed everyone knows about it as you have found, she will probably get fed up with the little ones once they are less of a novelty and she finds her place in the herd.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

She will gradually get used to leaving them, start to accept the work you want to do with her and most likely given time become more independent and happy to spend time alone, mares generally are less clingy once they know what is going on in their life but when they are stressed everyone knows about it as you have found, she will probably get fed up with the little ones once they are less of a novelty and she finds her place in the herd.

She will learn that when she works with you, she gets to go back to her friends after a short time (you can gradually lengthen the time you have her out). I would find a different 'expert' to assist you, as all this has done is cause mayhem, either through a mad idea, or a poor explanation of what was really meant.