Horse kicked me in the field

Firstly OP, PLEASE please go and check yourself out with a medical professional if you haven't already done so........ just to make sure. Just do it!

I personally think the whole "feeding routine" for these horses needs looking at; it sounds like a highly volatile situation and as long as it continues so highly fraught at haying-time, then the possibilities for someone else (if not OP) getting hurt, are big.

If the situation cannot be altered much if at all; then protective wear for anyone going into this field is a "must". i.e. body protector, hat and suitable boots. A good thing to have handy is a good long headcollar rope, if a horse comes too near you can swing it around you in a circle, this is what I would use. Lunging whip is fine, but can be cumbersome to handle in a wet mucky field when you're slipping around like a turd on a dungheap with horses hooning all round you! There needs to be a short sharp shock delivered; there needs to be an understanding of who the herd leader is, and that they should be respected and not kicked!

On a practical note, when out of the field, you can maybe help the situation (and your horse's understanding and respect for you) by doing some groundwork with him, like making him move away from your hand, going backwards and forwards etc etc., picking up feet, anything really to help him realise that you deserve respect and "space" on the ground.
 
Cortez said:
I always carry a long whip or lunge whip if I go into a field with a herd of horses, or I do for as long as it takes to teach them to keep out of my way. There's very few things as dangerous as an over-friendly group of horses.
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I think this is good advice the horses need to know that you are the boss..you don't necessarily need to use it.
I don't think you are daft or stupid. Just new to this situation. We aren't t born knowing stuff.
 
For the people telling the OP off for chastising the horse later on for kicking her, she didn't. She chastised him at the time for snatching at hay while it was still in her arms, something she had previously taught him not to do.
 
ycbm said:
For the people telling the OP off for chastising the horse later on for kicking her, she didn't. She chastised him at the time for snatching at hay while it was still in her arms, something she had previously taught him not to do.
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Or, at least, when he came to snatch some hay. In this case, the whack seems to have had the desired effect.
 
cauda equina said:
No, I haven't
Perhaps my horses are less 'active' than yours
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I don't take wheelbarrows in with my horses, I have more sense, even though my horses are in a settled herd at home. Pushing a wheelbarrow into a field with horses who are strangers to each other and have already proved to be difficult around hay is a recipe for disaster.
You have been very lucky but should think carefully about the advice that you give to an obvious novice on the internet.
 
Sorry you got hurt, it does sound like he was aiming at the other horse and got you by mistake so I wouldn't worry about his relationship with you. If they're fighting for the hay, it could be that they're a bit too hungry. Can you feed more? I always up the hay ration if mine seem too keen (5 in a field together). I sort of use their behaviour as a barometer for how much to feed. If they're settled and there's hay left on the ground, I can feed a bit less. If they're settled but eaten up, that's the right amount. And, if they're too keen and argumentative with each other, they need more.

I've also put up a little square of electric fencing just inside the gate. It means I can be in the field, but not in with the horses and i have three sides to throw hay if needed. It also helps in getting just one horse out without risking another escaping by barging the gate.

Once they've sorted out their differences, it will be less fraught. In the meantime, I would feed more and chuck some in before you go in.
 
Throw one pile of hay over the gate at the hinged end, then when the horses go for it, open the gate keeping it between you and the horses. You can then throw the other pile as far as possible in the other direction and step smartly back closing the gate as you go.

I have also kept mares and geldings together without issues.
 
D66 said:
Throw one pile of hay over the gate at the hinged end, then when the horses go for it, open the gate keeping it between you and the horses. You can then throw the other pile as far as possible in the other direction and step smartly back closing the gate as you go.

I have also kept mares and geldings together without issues.
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Sounds like feeding a cage of tigers!
 
Agree with throwing some over the fence first, when I used to take hay out to the fields it was always in a very large wheel barrow with some chucked over the fence line to start. Now it gets taken out in a pick up and thrown from the back!
 
I have 2 now at home too, a mare and a gelding. They are by no means settled yet, having only been together less than a month. I am putting 3 piles of hay out (over the fence!), and there are still daily scrambles for them - it's the gelding who is the dominant one incidentally!!

This morning for the first time they are tentatively eating from the same pile... Baby steps!

I also went in to poo pick this morning for the first time with them out loose and not in the stable. Only spent about 10 mins there before they were arguing for my attention and hooves started flying. Wonder if it has anything to do with them now starting to share hay?

Good luck OP, hope your 2 start to settle soon too.
 
I had my mare out with a gelding. He was very food orientated and would sometimes be a bit cheeky.

So first thing I did was put electric fencing around the gate, so I could get in and out safely without fear of Horses getting out, or crowding me. Then I would put a handful of hay over the fence (in different places) and then go in to do my bigger piles. Always space the piles so that the more submissive Horse can eat safely and happily. I would often put 4 piles out. He did still switch piles and herd her away but she had plenty of space (and more hay) to move on to.
 
I’ve been feeding mine in the field for years, even with new ones, mind you mine all know to duck for cover when I roar at them as It usually means me chasing them the Length of the field.

It’s all about manners IME not saying your gelding meant mannerly OP however human in the field to me means they behave regardless of herd politics. I had a greedy mare and even she learned that all she got for her bad manners was a sore butt after getting chased with a Lungewhip for her bargy troubles.

Take a stick next time, a long one and make it plain to them that they get no hay until you are clear of the vicinity.

This is why I don’t namby pamby around with my horses. I come first regardless as to how they are feeling that day as 70kg of human vs 500kg of horse is not a winning ratio for me in a fight.
 
LaurenBay said:
So first thing I did was put electric fencing around the gate, so I could get in and out safely without fear of Horses getting out, or crowding me. Then I would put a handful of hay over the fence (in different places) and then go in to do my bigger piles. Always space the piles so that the more submissive Horse can eat safely and happily. I would often put 4 piles out. He did still switch piles and herd her away but she had plenty of space (and more hay) to move on to.
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I always do a 'Safety Porch' too, takes minutes to set up and saves having to play silly buggers around the gate. And the same for spreading hay around, even if it's just my two girls I put out at minimum four piles spaced far apart, as the older mare always seems to think whichever pile the youngster ends up at is tastier. No fights that way, youngster just merrily trots over to the next pile along when told to jog on by the mare. I don't have any trouble putting the initial piles out, as they know that crowding me is a BAD idea.
 
ester said:
Frank loves his mare she’s not fussed at all and he is in charge. They both remain mannerly and easy to deal with generally.

I don’t actually know anyone who doesn’t take a wheelbarrow into the field with their horses.
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I used to lead mine one on either side with a wheel barrow full of hay and two feeds sitting on top to the field after riding and neither of them even dared snatch any.

If a horse is stupid enough to come for me and gets rammed with the barrow then more fool them they will learn.
 
Black Beastie said:
I used to lead mine one on either side with a wheel barrow full of hay and two feeds sitting on top to the field after riding and neither of them even dared snatch any.

If a horse is stupid enough to come for me and gets rammed with the barrow then more fool them they will learn.
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Yeap the same I use to lead my two 16.2 out to the field with a barrow full of hay and their feeds. They walked next to me. I push the lot and them in to the field leaving the gate open!! unclip them then push barrow to the hay troughs then put their feed on top of the hay piles. Never had any issues.

Now I have lost the old one I have a 30 odd 'loan' in with the my boy she is a mare only 12.2h. I still push my barrow to the tough and empty hay but I also drop a small amount on the way for the big lad and the little one follows me. Same with their food he walks nicely next to me to the top of the field where he is feed. I don't feed by the gate ever they hay troughs are at the far end and this is were they get feed. This is to stop the front getting churned up.

How do you poo pick with out taking a barrow in to the field, when they are field kept?
 
Ouch05 said:
How do you poo pick with out taking a barrow in to the field, when they are field kept?
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If you must poo pick - and I wouldn't want horses living out 24/7 all year round on a field small enough to poo pick - take a big trug rather than a wheelbarrow - much safer!

I do sometimes wonder where people learned how to keep horses, obviously not with the old-school horsemen and women that I learned with:rolleyes:
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If you must poo pick - and I wouldn't want horses living out 24/7 all year round on a field small enough to poo pick - take a big trug rather than a wheelbarrow - much safer!

I do sometimes wonder where people learned how to keep horses, obviously not with the old-school horsemen and women that I learned with:rolleyes:
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I do somewtimes wonder how anyone survives at all, with animals as dangerous as everyone elses seem to be!
 
Pearlsasinger said:
It's not the people I worry about, if you haven't got the with to keep yourself safe, so be it but I do worry about the horses.
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I have always taken a barrow in with horses, I lead horses while pushing a barrow, we use harrows and cut hedges in fields with horses in. They really are not on a suicide mission, I have had foals, youngstock, tbs, all sorts and have not managed to make one fall over a barrow yet.
 
Cortez said:
Yes, that happens. I have been bitten by a horse that wanted to bite another one that was annoying them, I just got in the way. Be careful!
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I had this today! I didn’t even have food on me, just went to take a rug off one and as I walked away, old horse came towards me and another flew at him.... but got me instead. His aim was shocking 🤭
Winter-hungry horse’s means keeping your wits about you a bit more!
Hope your ok OP
 
Pearlsasinger said:
If you must poo pick - and I wouldn't want horses living out 24/7 all year round on a field small enough to poo pick - take a big trug rather than a wheelbarrow - much safer!

I do sometimes wonder where people learned how to keep horses, obviously not with the old-school horsemen and women that I learned with:rolleyes:
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We have 4 acres for 4 horses - no way am I trekking a big trug bucket all the way around the field. Been poo picking with a wheelbarrow that is then left in field for 10+ years and will continue to do so.

I firmly believe that everything is not so much in what you use but how you teach your horses. Ours are well mannered and I take hay directly into field and put into hay hutches (but used to take it in wheelbarrow/ take haynets down and tie them to hay ring) and never have I been harassed by my horses as they know not to.

OP you miscalculated as you knew the mare and the gelding separately but now see their behaviour has modified being together and you are taking steps to rectify that and keep yourself safe. I wish you the best going forward with them and hope you are not too sore.
 
Thank you everyone, I went to doctors and possibly a bit of a chipped hip bone but nothing worse. I hobbled down to the field today and brought him in to feed him, and he stepped back and waited as he usually would in the stable. However, he was still bolshy to lead and frantically calling for the mare, and she was cantering round calling for him. We spoke to YO and they agreed that we should split the two of them up, which I didn’t want to do but he’s becoming a bit of a liability and I can’t guarantee that I’ll always be the one handling him, and I can’t risk anybody else getting hurt because of his antics. So individual turnout where he can still see and groom the horses on either side of the fence, and hopefully some new liveries will come and we can put him in with some geldings. I spoke to his old owners and strangely enough, he’s always been polite as anything until he was put in with just one other mare, which he has been on two other occasions.
None of this obviously excuses my plain lack of thinking for walking in there with hay, but it makes sense that the gelding & mare pair setup just doesn’t work for him. Hopefully I’ll get my lovely, well-mannered gentleman back soon!
 
chesnutcraze said:
Thank you everyone, I went to doctors and possibly a bit of a chipped hip bone but nothing worse. I hobbled down to the field today and brought him in to feed him, and he stepped back and waited as he usually would in the stable. However, he was still bolshy to lead and frantically calling for the mare, and she was cantering round calling for him. We spoke to YO and they agreed that we should split the two of them up, which I didn’t want to do but he’s becoming a bit of a liability and I can’t guarantee that I’ll always be the one handling him, and I can’t risk anybody else getting hurt because of his antics. So individual turnout where he can still see and groom the horses on either side of the fence, and hopefully some new liveries will come and we can put him in with some geldings. I spoke to his old owners and strangely enough, he’s always been polite as anything until he was put in with just one other mare, which he has been on two other occasions.
None of this obviously excuses my plain lack of thinking for walking in there with hay, but it makes sense that the gelding & mare pair setup just doesn’t work for him. Hopefully I’ll get my lovely, well-mannered gentleman back soon!
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Glad you were checked out. I got kicked in the fanny once and got a chipped pubic bone. Was truly impressive, like a baboons backside, and it takes ages for the bruising to come out of bones, so don't rush recovery. Take care - and arnica!
 
Clodagh said:
Glad you were checked out. I got kicked in the fanny once and got a chipped pubic bone. Was truly impressive, like a baboons backside, and it takes ages for the bruising to come out of bones, so don't rush recovery. Take care - and arnica!
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I am so sorry but this made me laugh a lot:D I know I shouldn't have done I think it was the way you worded it, it must have been bloody painful.
 
Pinkvboots said:
I am so sorry but this made me laugh a lot:D I know I shouldn't have done I think it was the way you worded it, it must have been bloody painful.
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I cannot begin to tell you, she wouldn't load so I bashed her up the arse with a broom and she got me. I still finished loading her, took her up the road and rode her before coming home again, albeit in tears and standing in the stirrups!
(I apologise to all people who disagree with bashing horses with brooms, trust me, she had the last laugh!).
 
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