Horse won't come in from field

holly011

holly011

New User
Joined
20 June 2025
Messages
8
Visit site
Hiya!

So I have a new part loan horse, a very sweet 20yo tb mare (ex racer but retired young I think?)

She's great to ride, groom, tackup etc.

However she is a real struggle to bring in from the field.

You can walk up to her, put her headcollar on, and if she's near the gate of the field will walk through it, but just stops after it and will not move. If she's at the far end of the field, she'll refuse to even go to the end with the gate.

Tried treats, a schooling whip (never hitting of course, just tapping), swinging the rope at her but not touching her with it, turning her to each side, etc. She just will not move.

She is not nasty with it, never even puts her ears back. When she is walking, she walks nice and forward and isn't lame. Lovely and forward in the school and seems happy being ridden.

I and the owner are thinking she might be reluctant to go downhill as she's not great with knowing where to put her feet if that makes sense, and unfortunately her field is right at the top of a steep hill and there's no other field she can go in.

I wanted to try a different route down the hill today but couldn't do that as she just wouldn't move.

Anyone got any advice? 🥺
 
Is she different if you bring her in with another horse? One of mine plants on the way out of the field, but if she knows another is coming too, she is fine. I put it down to reluctance to leave the herd, but she does have a physical issue which probably feeds into the feeling of not feeling safe walking away from her friends.
 
I would try bringing her in with a friend and see if that helps as sometimes it can be reluctance to leave the herd x

Also when you do manage to get her in, do you always ride her or spend time with her grooming etc? It could be that she's learnt to associate you with work and therefore doesn't want to come in as she's expecting to always be worked (not saying this is the issue just mentioning it as I had the same issue when I first got my pony Baggs!) x

If the above doesn't work, I'd certainly get the vet out as she sounds like she is trying to tell you something - horses don't misbehave for the fun of it, so it's certainly worth giving her the once over with the vet x
 
Is it simply that she doesn’t want to leave her friends?

I think if she’s forward and willing when ridden, and you are just doing light work, I wouldn’t rush to get the vet.

If she were mine, I’d be a massive softy esp as she’s 20, bless her! I’d be tempting her with treats! Maybe a bucket of something tasty when she gets in every time. Also, I’d bring a friend in with her.
 
Does she do it with other horses? If not then it’s probably more to do with not wanting to leave her friends. I’d try a pressure halter or bucket of feed etc…after the rain we’ve had the grass will be growing and they are more reluctant to leave!

My mare has been funny at the gate ever since she got spooked by the cows in the field opposite…takes a bit of persuasion to get her through. If they have pain or a bad experience etc it can make them reluctant…but the herd instinct is strong so may be what she is anticipating coming after you take her out of the field too..riding etc. would be worth a vet check x
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top