Lucky Snowball
Well-Known Member
That situation is dangerous for all concerned. The yo needs to listen and help you. If not then move again. Good luck speaking with the yo.
Herd Turnout Problems
- Thread starter Bellalily
- Start date
Bellalily
Well-Known Member
I’ve laid out my feelings and we shall see. Having a chat this morning.
Been offered places at two other yards already and one of them I know the YO. Both nearer home too. Will see what they say. I’m paid till the end of the month, but I really don’t want to have to keep them in till then.Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
It's really not okay that you can't get your horses in- what if there was an emergency?
Personally, I think big fields with big herds in should have multiple gateways- it also helps avoid poaching, and the dominant one can only ever guard one gate so it makes getting in much safer!
Fingers crossed that one of the other yards will work out.
Personally, I think big fields with big herds in should have multiple gateways- it also helps avoid poaching, and the dominant one can only ever guard one gate so it makes getting in much safer!
Fingers crossed that one of the other yards will work out.
Bellalily
Well-Known Member
Brilliant idea! Thank you.
BigRedDog
Well-Known Member
I took my pony on a camp, he was stabled at the back of a block with a very narrow corridor. There were 2 resident very large horses between his stable and the exit, everytime I bought him in and out they reached out, one each side, threatening to bite him. Keeping my pony safe is my priority. I took a schooling whip in with me when I moved him, when the horses reached towards him I flicked it at them, I didn’t touch them with it. After two goes they would look up from their haynets ready to pounce, saw it was me and returned to eating And ignored us.
Bellalily
Well-Known Member
Success! From tomorrow they have their own paddock. Ok, it’s much smaller, but it’s so peaceful and I’m sure my stressed pony will be so happy. I kept them in today and the poor chap spent all day, other than hay snacks time, at the back of his stable asleep. This has all been far too much for him. I’m so glad I held firm even when it didn’t look like they were going to find anywhere for us. Thanks for the messages of support. 
Lucky Snowball
Well-Known Member
That sounds a great result. (Make sure you find time to thank the other two yard owners for offering places just in case you need them in future.)
Bellalily
Well-Known Member
Yes miss
AmyMay
Situation normal
Well done. I’m so pleased you’ve been able to sort something out xSuccess! From tomorrow they have their own paddock. Ok, it’s much smaller, but it’s so peaceful and I’m sure my stressed pony will be so happy. I kept them in today and the poor chap spent all day, other than hay snacks time, at the back of his stable asleep. This has all been far too much for him. I’m so glad I held firm even when it didn’t look like they were going to find anywhere for us. Thanks for the messages of support.
Lucky Snowball
Well-Known Member
Sorry, didn’t mean to be rude it’s just that some youngsters have a different level of manners than my generation does.
holeymoley
Well-Known Member
Glad you’ve found a resolve!
MagicMelon
Well-Known Member
I dont understand why yards think its acceptable to just have a gateway to try and get your own horse out without others trying to get out. I used to ride a horse on a yard that was similar, it was awful. Surely it makes far more sense to have a electric taped off square round the gateway so you open the tape to get your horse into the safe square, then close it behind you. Then you have total freedom with the gate?
magicmoments
Well-Known Member
I haven't ever been on a yard that has that system. I'm not sure it would solve the problem anyway as the dominant will just wait by the electric tape gate.
PinkvSantaboots
Well-Known Member
There was one yard I was on that had 2 gates that were a fair bit apart and most horses only hung about near one gate, so you could enter using that gate and get out without alot of the other horses noticing most of the time.
magicmoments
Well-Known Member
That would at least reduce the risk if there's a reasonable distance between them, and it's very open near both gateways so you can't get trapped easily.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
The OP sounds like it has this system in place.
Jambarissa
Well-Known Member
OP I'm glad you've found a solution that satisfies you but sad you didn't have the yo and other owners support to make it work. This is presuming you moved there because you wanted your horses in a huge field with herd turnout.
I've been on my yard forever, it's perfect for my horses but potentially being sold and turned into a business park and golf course! I love my horses to live as horses, in a herd in a massive field with hills and trees and space for a group gallop. Everywhere seems to be going to single or double horses in smaller paddocks because owners aren't teaching their horses manners and aren't supporting others to resolve issues. Very sad.
I've been on my yard forever, it's perfect for my horses but potentially being sold and turned into a business park and golf course! I love my horses to live as horses, in a herd in a massive field with hills and trees and space for a group gallop. Everywhere seems to be going to single or double horses in smaller paddocks because owners aren't teaching their horses manners and aren't supporting others to resolve issues. Very sad.
Roasted Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
I’ve chased horses away to get mine in. Using whatever I had to initially to get the respect for them to move.
One of the draw backs of herd turnout unfortunately. Sometimes you have to get quite assertive in the beginning. Then it becomes easier as the horses move with just your voice and presence .
One of the draw backs of herd turnout unfortunately. Sometimes you have to get quite assertive in the beginning. Then it becomes easier as the horses move with just your voice and presence .
Bellalily
Well-Known Member
Not just the gateway.
When both of yours are being chased in the field by one bully, and are too scared to even come to me in the field, it’s time to find another field.
Thankfully they now have their own paddock, but my poor pony is clearly traumatised by the whole experience and is very quiet, unsure of himself and has absolutely no confidence now. He’s had all the stuffing knocked out of him and I can only hope that in time he will recover. In almost 24 years I have never seen him so sad. He is at least eating, but that’s it.
