How Do I Get My Horse In From The Field Safetly?

[AdmiralTroy]

Hi there,

My 5y/o TB gelding doesn't like to come in from the field. At present I've moved him into a smaller field with a single horse but that horses owner isn't too keen on leaving this as a long term solution as they will become dependant on each other.

He previously was in an 11 acre field with seven other horses and has been for about two months now. There was a while were he came in no problem, no grief, just happily walked in alongside.

About three/four weeks ago though it took me three attempts. First time I didn't have my stick so when he started messing about I just let go and went to get my stick. Second time (with the stick which normally helps when he messes around) he reared - right up. Hes a big 16.2, and I'm only a wee 5ft 1, so to see him do this did give me a bit of a fright, especailly when hes never done it before. And third time he attempted a double barrel at one of my friends, something he has never, ever done since i got him, about eight months ago now. He never lifts his feet to anyone.

He is no problem coming in from the smaller field, and even comes in whilst bringing in the other horse at the same time with no hassle! Completely two different horses...

I don't know if its best keeping him in the smaller field and if I do, rotating horses so he doesn't get attached to a single horse? I don't want to leave him on his own if possible. He can see all the horses from the small field as they are right next to each other.

I've tried control halters, leaving him in for a day and night when hes been naughty, calmer... anything I can. So if anyone has any suggestions, I am welcome to try them. More for everyone on the yards safety than anything.

Thanks very much.

 

[Shay]

We had a similar problem briefly when the grass came through. Ned wasn't too keen to leave all that nice new grass and come in. It got to the point where he would come to be caught but then whip around and double barrel whoever was trying to get the headcollar on.

Now the grass is grazed down his is much better and we haven't had a problem catching him safely for a while - I don't know if you might find that yours is better with less grass and a nice dinner to come in to?

He is clearly telling you that he doesn't want to leave the herd for some reason - whether that is grass or something else. It isn't a battle you can really afford to loose with him as he has to see you as being the leader and want to be with you rather than the herd for safety. (Although it is harder to compete with a blade of grass!)

I'm a big fan of using longer lines - whether you use a lunge line or one of the ridiculously expensive rope things. To a horse if he can move your feet he is dominant to you. With a short leadrope he can pull you along quite easily. With a longer line you can let him run a bit, get the line across your hip and use the leverage plus your weight to turn him. You have then moved his feet rather than the other way around. If, once he is caught, he wants to prat about then he can - and it isn't going to make any difference to you, your feet or what you eventually want him to do. You can just stand there, stop him, then ask him to come forwardsd to you again. It might take a while - but he'll get bored before you do. (Well - OK maybe he won't - just don't tell him that!)

I'm slightly wary of trying to catch of discipline a horse with a whip in a field. The idea is to get them to come with you and they won't if they think they might get hit for something. At the end of the day if they don't want to come in they won't - we have to fool them! I have carried a whip in a feild - but it is to chase off another agressive horse so we can get out - not for mine.

 

[AdmiralTroy]

Yeah, I originally only carried the stick cause of a couple of ponies kept going for me (mares in season and they can't help but love my boy ha) everytime I got near him. Thats another reason I'd rather not have him in that feild tbh. But at the end of the day, I can't afford another horse to put him with in the smaller field.

I'll try the longer line, I'm off my work for two weeks starting thursday so plenty of time to try new tactics with him. Thanks for the advice

Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated also.