Horses won’t stay in the field..

[JuliaH]

Would love some ideas please.
I keep my horse on a very small private yard. My friend and I have a big field to use as we please.
Both our horses go out together and get on great, grass is still up to my knees in places, ground is holding up really well despite the non stop rain, masses of natural shelter all around the field perimeter, yet both horses want to come in after an hour or 2 every single day!
We cannot work out why.
Have tried giving hay in piles just incase they fancy a change, made no difference.
They come in to hay and feed, have tried giving hard feed in their field, still want in.
If we leave them, they will fly up and down the fence line and I’m not prepared to risk injury and I certainly don’t want a stressed horse.
Has anyone any ideas what else we could try?

 

[Caol Ila]

Are they used to bigger herds?

I’ve come across horses (not mine, thankfully) who can’t deal with a herd of two. They need more to feel secure and happy.

Not helpful in your set up, but could be a cause.

 

[Jambarissa]

Some days mine are back at the gate within an hour, usually in bad weather. They mainly want food though.

I do think your horses having a feed in the field won't mean they don't expect there to still be one in their stable. Have you tried bringing in then putting out again? Not saying that's a long term solution but it'd help tell you what's wrong.

If you were to leave before they get back to the gate would they still get wound up? You'll have to hide to check this.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

Sorry to hear this, it's a pain. I have one that couldn't even manage 10 mins out before becoming dangerous. Long story short, it's taken me 7 years to get him happy out in the field in winter for a majority of the day.

 

[JuliaH]

Are they used to bigger herds?

I’ve come across horses (not mine, thankfully) who can’t deal with a herd of two. They need more to feel secure and happy.

Not helpful in your set up, but could be a cause.

No they were both used to individual, tiny fields, as is the norm in our area unfortunately.
They do have another horse in the field next to them as well who is always pretty settled and who they can chat to through the hedge.

 

[JuliaH]

Some days mine are back at the gate within an hour, usually in bad weather. They mainly want food though.

I do think your horses having a feed in the field won't mean they don't expect there to still be one in their stable. Have you tried bringing in then putting out again? Not saying that's a long term solution but it'd help tell you what's wrong.

If you were to leave before they get back to the gate would they still get wound up? You'll have to hide to check this.

That’s a good thought, they may well be used to the routine now of coming in for feed. Will try bringing in and then putting back out after a feed, thank you!

We have hidden in the hay barn out of sight to watch the daft pair, they still kick off even when they can’t see us.

 

[Red-1]

If the grass is knee deep 'in places' then I would presume this is their toilet area and they won't choose to eat it - so it can be discounted as a food source.

I would make sure food sources in the stable run out before morning, feed plentiful hay in the field then bring them in to an empty stable.

They can be in the empty stable for a few hours before feeding.

Alternatively, Rigs used to want to come in after a few hours, and could fence walk if no one listened, so we have erected fencing from field to stable so he can bring himself in whenever he wishes. It's surprising how often he chooses his stable over the field.

Turning out is also easier as it is just a case of opening a gate and letting him go alone!

 

[millitiger]

Might not be practical for you, however I found turning out overnight solved mine.

My one horse was a terrible fence walker, any excuse he'd be waiting at the gate or running up and down!
Swapped to overnight turnout and it stopped instantly. He is now out from 11am to 7am every day and works really well, through all weathers.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would put get into a routine if putting plenty if hay in the field. Even if the grass isn't eaten down there is no goodness in it now. I would spend some time bringing the horses in for a bucket feed and then putting them back out. Horses like routine, and especially if they are used to being fed inside, they will want to come in. Do they wear rugs when they are out? I've had one who wasn't happy in even the lightest rain with a neck rug. She would do anything to get back inside if it was drizzling.

 

[JuliaH]

I would put get into a routine if putting plenty if hay in the field. Even if the grass isn't eaten down there is no goodness in it now. I would spend some time bringing the horses in for a bucket feed and then putting them back out. Horses like routine, and especially if they are used to being fed inside, they will want to come in. Do they wear rugs when they are out? I've had one who wasn't happy in even the lightest rain with a neck rug. She would do anything to get back inside if it was drizzling.

I’m going to give this a go today, will bring in when they decide they’ve had enough and pop back out after an hour or so.
Yes always well rugged as neither are hardy breeds. Weirdly they’re never in as much of a rush to come in in bad weather. They’re a strange pair!

 

[Breather]

Get a field shelter and then they can please themselves, and you can rest assured you’ve given them the option of a stable setup if they want to be undercover.