Horse injured by new horse being turned out.

I agree that big fields do help, but problems can still arise.

I once had three horses out on a ten acre field. We bought my husband's 4yr old, introduced it to the others over doors, then hacked him out with my mare. I decided to put him out with my mare, who won't fight unless there is a real issue, in a sectioned off bit that was three acres. Then the other two, one of who was a nasty thing, could make friends over the fence. The other two hurtled down to the elec fence, my mare jumped over to join them, one horse chased our section A into the section A into the electric fence, who paniced and barged through a gate that hubby was just shutting. The elec fence wrapped around me, shocking me, the pony ran off up the lane, my mare hurtled alongside her in the field, and tried to jump the gate at the far end of the field, changing her mind and putting down at the last minute with her leg going through the gate, which thankfully was old and broke. The new horse galloped behind them all with his IDx tail up like an arab, and fell down a dip in the field because he wasn't paying attention . It was pure pandemonium, despite all being done, in theory, as safely as we could!!
 
Honey08 said:
I agree that big fields do help, but problems can still arise.

I once had three horses out on a ten acre field. We bought my husband's 4yr old, introduced it to the others over doors, then hacked him out with my mare. I decided to put him out with my mare, who won't fight unless there is a real issue, in a sectioned off bit that was three acres. Then the other two, one of who was a nasty thing, could make friends over the fence. The other two hurtled down to the elec fence, my mare jumped over to join them, one horse chased our section A into the section A into the electric fence, who paniced and barged through a gate that hubby was just shutting. The elec fence wrapped around me, shocking me, the pony ran off up the lane, my mare hurtled alongside her in the field, and tried to jump the gate at the far end of the field, changing her mind and putting down at the last minute with her leg going through the gate, which thankfully was old and broke. The new horse galloped behind them all with his IDx tail up like an arab, and fell down a dip in the field because he wasn't paying attention . It was pure pandemonium, despite all being done, in theory, as safely as we could!!
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How awful to have to watch ! I won't have group turn out unless they are all mine, just not worth the hassle.

Hope your horse is ok op.
 
Of course when turning a new horse into a herd precautions can be taken to reduce risk. turnout gradually into herd introducing each member slowly but not always possible for many yards but most important is watching and waiting to see how settle. But horses will be horse and accidents can happen but no horse of mine would be grazed seperatly. Baby was half blind but grazed in a mix herd.Watching groom her mates and grazing with them are memories i hold. I always said day she had to be on her own would be day i said goodbye but that never came. happily her finals days were where she loved with the herd. I sat in the field that last morning watching her grooming her best pal Leo and dozing nose to tail .bueatiful memories :)
 
Hmmm Im fairly sure Im on the same yard as the OP as this sounds very familiar. I could of course be mistaken...but it would be a big coincidence

I was actually there on the day that this happened.

To clarify, there were 2 horses in one large paddock, belonging to 2 different owners. One of which being the OP on this thread. They have been turning out together for some months. That morning the OP 2nd horse, the 15hh mare, was turned out in the same paddock with the origional 2, as her field companion had recently gone on loan. This was with permission of the owner/owners daughter who cares for them. The horses were turned out by the YO and the other owner who has an agreement with the OP that she will turn out/muck out the mare and the other horse along with her own. The horses therefore know each other, the mare is not a new horse to the yard.

They were observed and all was settled, grazing happily. The yard was not left unattended that day. In the afternoon a gate was heard to clang and the horses were heard to be galloping around. They were checked immediately (i was there at this point) and the mare was found to be missing, but a big dent in said gate. The mare did not come towards the yard but must have gone in the other direction. It is unclear as to whether she jumped the fence or the gate as no one saw this.

The mare was then heard trotting along the road by the driveway, where I actually called to her and she came into the yard and was then caught with headcollar and nuts. She had her legs hosed so we could check for injuries and the owner was called immediately to be told what had happened. She then came to the yard some hours later to check on the mare herself. As far as I am aware she did not call a vet or say that she has not been aware that they were going out together.

A little different to the story told in the original post. Fingers crossed that the mare will be ok and that whatever the ins and outs, there is no serious damage. My take on it would be that as no one really saw what happened, it was 'one of those things' and no individual person can be blamed.
 
Sorry but I'm afraid u are not getting the whole truth. The said mare was turned out with the owners other horse and another. The owner was asked by the YO several times if she was happy with the arrangement. And offered alternative turn out, if not! The mare is known to jump from field to field.(Serious problem) The 3 horses were watched by the YO and the other horse owner and another horse owner(not sharing field), the field can also be seen from the yard. The 3 horses settled well. It wasn't until late afternoon that the mare jumped out. The YO was unaware of this until she heard the mare on the lane. They had been grazing happily so no one knows what actually caused her to jump the gate! The YO turns horses out in pairs or groups of three. To minimise injuries etc. The YO always consults liveries before making changes to fields etc. I do hope this sheds alittle more light and fact on the subject. And no the vet has not seen the mare ...........
 
This happened to a friend a few years before....new horse turned-out, no warning which I think would have been at least good manners so everyone is about to watch for potential issues.

New horse made a beeline for established herd member then seen (by another livery) to corner and kick the hell out of friend's horse, the established member, running after him and it took ages to catch new horse to stop the attack!

Vet bill into £100's, horse stitched up, I recall standing there all night taking it in turns to hold the poor thing while the vet sorted him out. Poor thing had medication up to the eyeballs, lame, cuts, gashes, you name it....

YO not interested, friend got nothing but verbal from new horse owners...until she started legal action to take them to small claim's court.

They paid the bill.

At the end of the day, you are ultimately responsible for your own animals, one might say you can't control herd behaviour, but some sort of responsibility needs to be accepted.
 
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I think this situation was no bodys fault all precautions were taken by the YO and the other horse owner. I do not see how the YO could be held negligent, the OWNER was ASKED and given an option. The mare is a known field jumper ........ !!!
 
belair31 said:
I think this situation was no bodys fault all precautions were taken by the YO and the other horse owner. I do not see how the YO could be held negligent, the OWNER was ASKED and given an option. The mare is a known field jumper ........ !!!
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I agree.

Guess op will be looking for a new yard, but perhaps now for different reasons.
 
mbsports said:
Just want to get peoples views on this. New horse put in field with my two.didnt bother to ask .He turned out to be a bully and pinned my 15hh mare against a gate. She was found trotting down the road where she had jumped gate. The gate is badly dented.. She has several cuts and worst of all has 2 very swollen hocks..She is going on bute for 3 days and hoping like hell she has not fractured them..
I am so angry with yard owner and owner of the new horse...
What would you do?
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If these two stories are about the same situation horses seem to have changed sex and ownership. Op says a male horse was turned out with her two. Second version says Op's mare was the new horse turned out with her other horse and it's existing companion.
 
This was not a new horse! I know the YO and owner very well. One of which is very responsible and the other not so ...... The facts speak for themselves. Horses are horses, some are just more trouble than others. All horses are matched up with field buddies, a few have individual turn out. I believe the YO makes every effort to keep the safety and well being of every horse on her yard. And I for one would not even consider leaving!
 
Tinypony said:
If these two stories are about the same situation horses seem to have changed sex and ownership. Op says a male horse was turned out with her two. Second version says Op's mare was the new horse turned out with her other horse and it's existing companion.
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No sex changes.....just different versions of events as to who was turned out with who and at what stage :D
 
Hump991 said:
No sex changes.....just different versions of events as to who was turned out with who and at what stage :D
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Or it could be two extremely similar but separate incidents, either way I hope that the injured horse or horses make a full recovery, and that the vet has been called by now.
 
The owner has a gelding and the said mare. The gelding is turned out with one other gelding. They have all been turned out in a mixed sex group I'm told. The mare has been on the yard I believe for 2 yrs and both geldings 8 months or more. So no new horses!! And I do believe the mare has minor scrapes to her hind legs and slight swelling in one hock. A quick recovery on the cards I'm sure !
 
belair31 said:
The owner has a gelding and the said mare. The gelding is turned out with one other gelding. They have all been turned out in a mixed sex group I'm told. The mare has been on the yard I believe for 2 yrs and both geldings 8 months or more. So no new horses!! And I do believe the mare has minor scrapes to her hind legs and slight swelling in one hock. A quick recovery on the cards I'm sure !
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Doesn't sound like you're brimming with facts tbh. Lots of heresay in your posts. This may or may not be the same horse/incident, you say 'the facts speak for themselves', but knowing neither of you I don't take your version as any more valid and factual than the Ops.
 
Capriole said:
Doesn't sound like you're brimming with facts tbh. Lots of heresay in your posts. This may or may not be the same horse/incident, you say 'the facts speak for themselves', but knowing neither of you I don't take your version as any more valid and factual than the Ops.
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If read correctly you would see the statement speaks for it self ........ Obviously that's your opinion and your entitled to it !!!
 
Capriole said:
Doesn't sound like you're brimming with facts tbh. Lots of heresay in your posts. This may or may not be the same horse/incident, you say 'the facts speak for themselves', but knowing neither of you I don't take your version as any more valid and factual than the Ops.
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I agree. The first poster who purports to actually be on the same yard as OP was the poster I was thanking as she calmly told us how she viewed what went on. The second poster seems more excitable and not as reliable as a source of information as to what did or didn't go on (imo).
 
mbsports said:
Just want to get peoples views on this. New horse put in field with my two.didnt bother to ask .He turned out to be a bully and pinned my 15hh mare against a gate. She was found trotting down the road where she had jumped gate. The gate is badly dented.. She has several cuts and worst of all has 2 very swollen hocks..She is going on bute for 3 days and hoping like hell she has not fractured them..
I am so angry with yard owner and owner of the new horse...
What would you do?
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Are you totally sure that she was pinned up by the new horse or did she crash over the gate after racing around and not stopping in time?

If you weren't there - did anyone else see what happened?

I'd be mad with the yard owner and would expect some help with the bill from YO and horse owner especially if the new horse owner knew that the horse could be a bully.

There is always hi jinks when a new horse is added - they do race around and do dumb things - there's not a lot you can do. Many years ago I lost a youngster during the introductory stage - she got kicked and the nail head on the horses shoe penetrated her hock joint. She had to be put down three months later as the joint infection would not go away.

I was there when it happened - so quickly I could not have done anything to prevent it.
 
Spring Feather said:
I agree. The first poster who purports to actually be on the same yard as OP was the poster I was thanking as she calmly told us how she viewed what went on. The second poster seems more excitable and not as reliable as a source of information as to what did or didn't go on (imo).[/QUOTE

The horses were infact turned out in the morning. With no issues and the full knowledge of the owner in question. Myself, YO and the other owner were present. All 3 settled well ......... It was late afternoon that the incident happened. No one actually saw what the mare did, as we don't spend ALL day watching but what was witnessed was the two geldings galloping towards the gate. (Which is not in view) The YO then went to see why! There were several people on the yard including myself. Maybe this post will clear some confusion. This yard has monthly yard meetings so any problems or differences can be discussed. The owner of the mare was infact publicly offered alternative fields. She did decline this "wanting her two together". !!?!!
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I'm sure there is more than one 15hh mare that had a new fieldmate yesterday and pandemonium broke out.

belair31, give it up, you just sound like a muck stirrer.
 
I now know for sure that this was the same yard as me. I only stated the facts as I know them and also what was seen/wasn't seen.

I am aware of Belair31 which is also on the same yard and was around much of the day in question. I daresay she is a little emotional at having her yard and yard manager painted in abad light when she knows what happened and wants to defend them. im sure most of us on good yards would quite likely feel the same.

Of course none of you know either of us, but then neither do you know the OP.

At this stage having told what i know so as to have a balanced account from someone who was there (when the owner was not) i am leaving the discussion before mud stinging commences.

p.s The owner has still not called a vet out, despite her concerns....
 
belair31 said:
Sorry but I'm afraid u are not getting the whole truth. The said mare was turned out with the owners other horse and another. The owner was asked by the YO several times if she was happy with the arrangement. And offered alternative turn out, if not! The mare is known to jump from field to field.(Serious problem) The 3 horses were watched by the YO and the other horse owner and another horse owner(not sharing field), the field can also be seen from the yard. The 3 horses settled well. It wasn't until late afternoon that the mare jumped out. The YO was unaware of this until she heard the mare on the lane. They had been grazing happily so no one knows what actually caused her to jump the gate! The YO turns horses out in pairs or groups of three. To minimise injuries etc. The YO always consults liveries before making changes to fields etc. I do hope this sheds alittle more light and fact on the subject. And no the vet has not seen the mare ...........
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I think we might have wires crossed here. Vet has seen horse
yard is in northumberland ..I have calmed down a bit now but it is gutting to see my cob injured..
 
belair31 said:
Spring Feather said:
I agree. The first poster who purports to actually be on the same yard as OP was the poster I was thanking as she calmly told us how she viewed what went on. The second poster seems more excitable and not as reliable as a source of information as to what did or didn't go on (imo).[/QUOTE



The horses were infact turned out in the morning. With no issues and the full knowledge of the owner in question. Myself, YO and the other owner were present. All 3 settled well ......... It was late afternoon that the incident happened. No one actually saw what the mare did, as we don't spend ALL day watching but what was witnessed was the two geldings galloping towards the gate. (Which is not in view) The YO then went to see why! There were several people on the yard including myself. Maybe this post will clear some confusion. This yard has monthly yard meetings so any problems or differences can be discussed. The owner of the mare was infact publicly offered alternative fields. She did decline this "wanting her two together". !!?!!
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I have replied to earlier posts but wires are crossed this is not your yard unless in nothumberland
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Tinypony said:
If these two stories are about the same situation horses seem to have changed sex and ownership. Op says a male horse was turned out with her two. Second version says Op's mare was the new horse turned out with her other horse and it's existing companion.
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I think its a different yard. And they have just presumed its theres
 
belair31 said:
If read correctly you would see the statement speaks for it self ........ Obviously that's your opinion and your entitled to it !!!
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Im pretty sure I read for comprehension. Maybe you should brush up on your writing skills, as your 'statement' doesn't 'speak for itself' at all. It sounds like you haven't a clue what's going on but are simply repeating what you think you've heard.
 
Enfys said:
Hmmmm. Unfortunate and I do feel your pain, but, it is a risk you take, and accept, when you have your horse at livery and in communal turnout. I hope the injuries are just superficial and she recovers fast.

Introductions can be made carefully, horses can spend days/weeks being friendly over a fence, yet when they are put in the herd they automatically intrude on herd territory, and hooves can fly, despite a YO's best efforts. Horse owners themselves are not always honest, they may know their horse can be troublesome but they may not say so.

I certainly do not specifically inform my livery owners when I am putting a new horse out with the herd, it is in the contract that I, as the Yard Owner, have the right to move horses around as, and when, I see fit, if they don't like it we can try to arrange a compromise (individual turnout) or they can go somewhere that suits them better.
If an owner asks I will tell them my intentions but I don't go about emailing everyone "Rocky will be turned out at 10am, please give me your blessing and be here to watch the fun"

I always turn new horses out in the morning and I stay around to referee - with a long stick close at hand.
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I dont believe this was the YOs 'best efforts'............Have sadly experienced a horse being killed under these circumstances. Its always going to come with risks but by commicating with liveries via a message board to let them be aware that a new horse is coming, Owners can choose to keep their horses in or to boot them up (as I like to do) I believe its only common courtesy to your liveries. Im sorry but when horses are turned out together and running as a herd I am unsure how you can 'referee' them.
 
Enfys said:
Hmmmm. Unfortunate and I do feel your pain, but, it is a risk you take, and accept, when you have your horse at livery and in communal turnout. I hope the injuries are just superficial and she recovers fast.

Introductions can be made carefully, horses can spend days/weeks being friendly over a fence, yet when they are put in the herd they automatically intrude on herd territory, and hooves can fly, despite a YO's best efforts. Horse owners themselves are not always honest, they may know their horse can be troublesome but they may not say so.

I certainly do not specifically inform my livery owners when I am putting a new horse out with the herd, it is in the contract that I, as the Yard Owner, have the right to move horses around as, and when, I see fit, if they don't like it we can try to arrange a compromise (individual turnout) or they can go somewhere that suits them better.
If an owner asks I will tell them my intentions but I don't go about emailing everyone "Rocky will be turned out at 10am, please give me your blessing and be here to watch the fun"

I always turn new horses out in the morning and I stay around to referee - with a long stick close at hand.
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I always inform my clients via text a couple of days before new horses are introduced as I feel this is only common courtesy? This way, they have a chance to either put boots on their horse, or bring them in until things have settled down, or just simply be there should there be a problem. I agree with previous poster though, there is always a risk even if you try to cover all avenues, as this is the herd way and if you choose to keep your horse on a yard where you know there is group turnout, then you are in fact accepting the risks that go along with that. I will say this though, in the 18 years I have been running my yard, I find that if horses are happy with their life, i.e. Plenty of turnout and work, well fed, they don't usually get aggressive when new ones come into their herd. Always going to be a possibility though:(
 
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