How can I manage this situation better?

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Cedars

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Ok, quick overview.

In one of our fields, we have my youngster, and the mare. The mare is at the bottom of the hill in her starvation paddock, the youngster has everything else, including the gate. The long term plan is to switch them over but there is no shelter at the top of the field so until we get a shelter we can't move the mare to the top.

SO, when we need to take the mare out for a lunge or whatever, we have to take her through the babies field to the gate. We have tried putting her headcollar on and holding her, but she goes absolutely ape when you take the mare out, and she's pretty dangerous to hold. So recently we've been just leading the mare through with the baby loose, but she runs around like a mad thing and rears and bucks. Although she's not getting near us, it is extremely scary when she's being an idiot!

So I'm just looking for how you would handle this? My other helper is my OHs mum, and shes very VERY nervous, so ideally I'm looking for ideas that mean I can cope either on my own, or I can hold puzzle.

Hope that makes sense! Thanks xx
 
Its got to be about 400m, and I'm a bit worried about having leccy tape in a field with the baby constantly. Is a thought though, I could potentially build a walkway along the fence. Will talk to OH.

Other ideas? Thanks guys xxx
 
EUREKA! I'll just chop her legs off! Fantastic idea!!! Haha =]

Getting baby out the field first is a good idea. I think I need to persuade my OHs mum to get the courage to lead the mare out the field. Then I can hold the baby at the top, let her go when she starts to get difficult but at least by that point shes at the gate so its less dangerous.

However, she WON'T be held going back into the field as she just rears and bolts. Hmmm. xxxxx
 
Can't afford any more horses at the moment, and even if we could I'm not sure that'd help, I think we'd still just have two horses charging around instead of one. xxxx
 
how about turngn them out together? at least fr part of the time so itsnot all so exciting to the baby?
 
They have previously been out together but the mare is the size of the house, no jokes, so has to be in a starvation paddock. Good suggestion though xxxx
 
Can you not take the baby down to the mares field and then take the mare out and put the baby in. Therefore you are leaving the baby's field to walk through without her charging around.When you have finished you caan then walk down to the mares field. Letting the baby back into her field and then putting the mare in hers?
 
ok thing is hes a baby that wants to play.. get them used to being out together again then when you want to get yr mare in let them out together for half hour hen go n retrive your mare?
 
Good point about letting them in together. If the mare loses a bit more weight thats a good plan. Would that lead to them jumping in together when they're separated thing xxxx
 
well thy havnt so far have they??

you can always put the baby in he mares field and not worry about her getting more grass
 
thats true. thanks! will discuss with other half. definitely a good idea putting her in the mares bit until we're safely out with her at any rate. xxxx
 
last idea... you could dartthe baby frm a distance then runlike hell.. exercise are and run like hell back? :D
 
I'd make a catch area around the gate so that you can get the mare inside that with the baby the other side. In an absolutely perfect world I'd make some Paddock Paradise tracks and have your good doer on the track and the baby in the middle as long as there would be enough shelter for them both.
 
The problem with having the catch area is that by the time we've reached the gate she's fine, she only seems to charge off and run around when we're actually walking! And she doesn't barge out the gate or anything.

Will look at paddock paradise tracks but think it's unlikely there will be enough shade in the middle. Will look though!

Tranquilsers are the best plan so far!!! Haha xxxx
 
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