now_loves_mares
Well-Known Member
Have a 9yo TB mare. Owned her since she was a foal and we've lived here for 5.5 years. Field is very long and gate, shelter and hard standing all in the nearest left corner, beside road. Field goes away from the road. She's never been keen on going beyond say the first quarter of the field, even when the far end is full of good grass and she is really hungry. But this year as we had so much good weather she developed a habit of galloping down to the far end as soon as her rug was off, and stuffing her face and staying there all day. We were amazed as haven't seen her go down there in 5 years even with her buddies all down there. The weather started to turn and she did that less and less; and only ever when naked. She will eat with her rug on but only in the bit within sight of the gate. Now I've blocked off a good bit of the nearest part of the field. They can still get down the back but have to go in an L-shape along the road fence line then down the far right, like a sort of path around the edge. But she refuses, and when I have tried to lead her that way she panics and whips round back to the gate. One theory we have is that the gate/shelter is her safety zone, and that when rug-less she feels she can get back there quickly, but when rugged she feels "restricted" (even though it fits well and she can gallop plenty with it on!). And that now I'm making her go a convoluted route to the grass she feels too panicked ??? Yesterday I could tell she didn't leave the gate area all day due to completely clean hooves; even to drink - for 12 hours! I give her hay and she is in overnight but it's ridiculous if she won't drink? Turning her out is almost pointless, the only exercise she got yesterday was the walk to and from the field. I will carry on, though!
She wants the grass - stuffs her face when being led through a different field - and leaving her without hay makes no difference. Hunger doesn't solve it. Last autumn I experimented a bit before she was in overnight, with holding off on the hay feeding in the field; and she still hung out at the shelter and dropped weight instead
. So I can't do that again but would really like to figure out the connection between the rug and her apparent fear or perceived threat in the field. She's a TB so leaving her naked isn't really an option as she grows such a pathetic coat. Her rugs are Horseware, I've order a different brand for elimination purposes but I doubt it's that. Also last winter she was on livery for a few months and grazed ok. But was in a normal square field where all parts were within sight of the gate. My field is so long (and wraps around a building) that much of it is hidden. Unfortunately it's also clay hence I'm trying to move fencing about to save some of it for when the ground freezes, so they have somewhere even to go.
I'd really like to hear if anyone has experienced similar and if there is any way I can coach her out of this. It's very frustrating that 6 acres of grass is being eaten by a Shetland pony and about 2 by my TB. And only when the stars are aligned...husband suggests just fencing her down the field but as I'm at work all day I don't think this is a plan, as she is the type to go through fences if really panicked.
Google was not my friend. Typing "horse afraid of grazing" did not yield results
She wants the grass - stuffs her face when being led through a different field - and leaving her without hay makes no difference. Hunger doesn't solve it. Last autumn I experimented a bit before she was in overnight, with holding off on the hay feeding in the field; and she still hung out at the shelter and dropped weight instead
. So I can't do that again but would really like to figure out the connection between the rug and her apparent fear or perceived threat in the field. She's a TB so leaving her naked isn't really an option as she grows such a pathetic coat. Her rugs are Horseware, I've order a different brand for elimination purposes but I doubt it's that. Also last winter she was on livery for a few months and grazed ok. But was in a normal square field where all parts were within sight of the gate. My field is so long (and wraps around a building) that much of it is hidden. Unfortunately it's also clay hence I'm trying to move fencing about to save some of it for when the ground freezes, so they have somewhere even to go.I'd really like to hear if anyone has experienced similar and if there is any way I can coach her out of this. It's very frustrating that 6 acres of grass is being eaten by a Shetland pony and about 2 by my TB. And only when the stars are aligned...husband suggests just fencing her down the field but as I'm at work all day I don't think this is a plan, as she is the type to go through fences if really panicked.
Google was not my friend. Typing "horse afraid of grazing" did not yield results
Obviously her idea of relaxing is different to mine! She doesn't do much work really but is a donkey to hack, not spooky at all. She is an enigma really, has all these weird quirks but is by far and away the easiest horse I've owned in many others.
