Horse field next to pigs

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Hi

My horse's winter field is next door to 3 giant pigs.

There is a hedge between them and my horse was fine today until he heard the pigs when they were fed.

His tail went up and there was much snorting and he galloped round the field.

He seemed fine but when I went to get him in this afternoon he was standing at the gate and seemed really spooked. He was on his toes and spooking at things which is so unlike him

He doesn't have to go past the pigs to get to and from the yard.

Got him to the yard and he was totally fine.

Got his rug off and the poor lad was pretty sweated up underneath.

So I guess it was the pigs. Can't think what else it could be.

Shall I just keep putting him in there and hope he settles with them next door? Or shall I take him down to see them and desensitise him if I can? I don't think he can see the pigs through the hedge. But he can hear them and I guess smell them

What would you do?
 
I think he'd be better just getting used to them in his own time. As long as he can use his natural flight instinct if he feels the need.

My brother and his girlfriend have four horses and two pigs, they now all run in a field together and the horses are totally not bothered. In fact they boss the pigs around xx
 
I envy you actually - would love such a perfect pig de spooking area at home! To get out to one of my favourite hacks I have to ride through the middle of a huge pig farm. I have not managed to do it yet with my new horse as she is seriously stressed within half a mile's sniffing distance! So it is a slow work in progress. Your set up sounds marvelous to me.:)
 
I'll be watching this thread with interest! I've just moved Jasper to a lovely yard that has a resident pet pig called Miranda. I think she's awesome, but Jasper is not so sure - he seems convinced that she will eat him! The first night we were there he tried to climb out over his stable door to get away from her! :eek: He's much more settled now but still not very sure about the pig! I'm hoping to be able to turn him out in a field near to Miranda at some point soon, so we will see what happens!
 
We have a couple of small Kune pigs on our yard as part of a petting zoo. None of my ponies liked going past them at first but now they are quite chilled about it. I think its great to de-pig them and your boy will soon get used to it!
 
Will watch this thread with great interest. At present my friend is trying to de-sensitise her horse to the pigs (new arrivals) we have to pass in the village. Have been doing really well using my girl to shield him from harm as we walk by. Until today that is when one of the pigs was is full view being very vocal as we attempted to walk by! My girl was fab but friends horse planted, head in the clouds snorting ( he looked stunning btw! ) He was planning on legging it in the opposite direction! Thankfully my friend stopped him doing this & me & my girl turned round & went back to collect him & after a couple of goes got him to walk past ( head still in the clouds & snorting! ) Lots of praise given! Still obviously got a lot more work to do but we do think the more we do it the better it will get as he realises he survives & said pig is not a horse eating monster! Good luck to you, I'm sure he'll soon realise all is ok & in the mean time he can use his flight intinct to be far enough away from them so he's comfortable.
 
Yes they do get use to them,although when they are being fed they do squeal a lot, see if you can find out the times they are fed and get your horse to the other end. My lot loved them when I use to breed them and they don't smell,they will only go to the loo in one corner, they only smell when they are kept in and not mucked out each day.
 
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