I have no idea if I've done the 'right' thing....

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How much grazing have you got? Could you not let someone be a livery (cheap)? Or is the stable in a position that she could be left with gate open and stable open (with no feed in) so she could wonder in and out as she pleases?

We have found and this is with more that one horse we have owned. If we turn him out in a field he has been sharing with another horse he runs up and down shouting. If we turn him in another field were he has only been on his own no problem.

I am sorry everyone seems to be getting at you and I can understand your problem. Let us know if things improve or any of the suggestions may be an option (good or bad).
Is she still running round.

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Thank you for your understanding, it is appreciated!
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A livery would be out of the question, seeing as we dont own the place! When we moved here there were just two horrid tin sheds; landlords allowed us to build a stable, tack and feed store on the premise that, when/if we move out, the stable stays! The field where she is turned out is next to my house; at the moment she has about an acre as I have had to restrict it; however in the summer she has half the field (and occasionally we let her loose with the dry cows, so she has summer company! ) During the winter, we are able to let her in the yard, and she's always been happy with that - the chickens/dogs/cat are around for her to mingle with, and she's always very settled when in the yard.

It was only because I am home all day that I thought I would turn her out; it has made me laugh that so many people are now accusing me of cruelty; all I have done is give my horse the freedom and grass that most people claim should be their everyday right! Silly really; so many are quick to jump on bandwagons without pausing to think of situation and circumstance!

She is grazing quietly in the furthest part of the field at the mo......
 
Agree with emma about the loaning thing... then you wouldnt have the problem of what to do with the companion if the worst came to the worst!
 

MizElz, has something happened to her to make her unhappy in the field? (Has she been scared by something?) She sounds a bit insecure to me and it is strage that this habit has only just developed? Or, is it possible that she is coming in to season and can smell other horses?

If I were in your shoes I would look a bit into the root cause of the problem (which may or may not be lack of company). I agree that you shouldn't pander to every whim, but stressed horses can catch chill or damage themselves and this will cost you money!
 
I kept my mare alone for 4yrs and she was fine, although she had a field mate in the next field, i wouldnt be happy if my mare was coming in covered in sweat.
 
Well I will go against the grain of this thread and say this. The horse was previously quite happy to be on her own and the OP knows her better than anyone. I would be turning her out, possibly naked, and ignoring her antics for today (obviously making sure she isnt doing herself any damage). She will either settle or she wont but I take the view that if this is how she chooses to spend her free time then thats down to her.


As OP has already noticed she is grazing then I would say she isnt actually that stressed.
 
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As I've said before, there is no reason she should not be able to stay in the field, and it is the same field she has behaved perfectly well in for the past two years.

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I think that if she has behaved happily for two years in the same field, then something is now desperately amiss if she's not.

Sorry, I don't think for one minute that the behaviour your horse is displaying is naughty.......
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I wonder if the muck spreading has caused this?

The field probably had her smell on it before which has now been replaced with other animals, hence the change in behaviour??
 
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i,ve never felt happy with lone horses , some may tolerate it better than yours but all in my opinion should have company at least for part of the day

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That's very easy to say, but we have no other option! We don't have the finance, space or time for another horse - we once had five, but have had to downsize dramatically due to various family issues
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We're lucky enough as we are to be able to keep Ellie at home - very generous landlords - if this wasnt possible, I doubt we could afford livery fees elsewhere
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Mine had to be kept on her own for a short while but she did hate it. Our solution was to get a miniature shetland. His feet did not need trimming all that regularly, we'd bring him in to be seen at the same time as my mare & he'd usually just have a quick rasp & be done. He needed the minimum of hay during the winter, lived on fresh air in the summer & the only difference was wormer/tet/vaccs. Again, wormer was a small amount as he was tiny.

Just wondering if this would be an option? I know sometimes it just isn't possible though, just airing ideas really
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MizElz, has something happened to her to make her unhappy in the field? (Has she been scared by something?) She sounds a bit insecure to me and it is strage that this habit has only just developed? Or, is it possible that she is coming in to season and can smell other horses?

If I were in your shoes I would look a bit into the root cause of the problem (which may or may not be lack of company). I agree that you shouldn't pander to every whim, but stressed horses can catch chill or damage themselves an
d this will cost you money!

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I think she got a bit freaked out a few weeks ago when the farmers turned on the sprayer without letting me know first (normally they are very good about letting me know whether or not its okay to turn her out.) She is VERY easily spooked, whether that means on the ground or when ridden, so it wouldnt be unlike her to remember such a scary experience! She is also DEFINITELY in season, so that probably adds to her general moodiness!
 
Mizelz - you say that picture is one you have already posted before? So is that a picture of a result of her hooning around the field in a state or not? If not, why post it with this thread?

I agree, I would be worried and think you should listen to her and not dismiss it as naughty just yet. Hasn't the farmer got a sheep you could borrow!?
 
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No I think you are cruel for turning your horse out in a MW rug when she gallops around so much she ends up in that state. As you have just said you have posted this pic of her before it is obviously not something that she did this morning. So why have you continued to put her out in a rug that is too warm for her?

If you actually read my post you would have seen that I said I had no problem with keeping horses by themselves.

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The rug is not 'too warm for her'; any horse galloping around for 10 mins non stop is going to get hot, regardless of what type of rug they have on. As she is fully clipped, neck included, and has previously been known to get chilly when only wearing a non-neck MW, what rug would you say I should put on her?
 
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MizElz, has something happened to her to make her unhappy in the field? (Has she been scared by something?) She sounds a bit insecure to me and it is strage that this habit has only just developed? Or, is it possible that she is coming in to season and can smell other horses?

If I were in your shoes I would look a bit into the root cause of the problem (which may or may not be lack of company). I agree that you shouldn't pander to every whim, but stressed horses can catch chill or damage themselves an
d this will cost you money!

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I think she got a bit freaked out a few weeks ago when the farmers turned on the sprayer without letting me know first (normally they are very good about letting me know whether or not its okay to turn her out.) She is VERY easily spooked, whether that means on the ground or when ridden, so it wouldnt be unlike her to remember such a scary experience! She is also DEFINITELY in season, so that probably adds to her general moodiness!

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Then I think this is the problem. The issue is, that when a horse gets stressed he turns to his field mates for help and reassurance (Herd instinct). In this instance she cannot do it so she feels insecure - hence the gallopping. She probably IS fine on her own and has been kept that way without problem, but now she is worried and the fact that she cannot see or touch a companion has added to her stress.
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Just my theory though!
 
Sorry to butt in.....no one is accusing you of cruelty,from what I see I would not be happy if my horse had latherd her self to that point....STOP taking every thing so PERSONAL,other users on here are trying to HELP YOU.......and from what I can see postive IDEAS!
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........
 
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Well I will go against the grain of this thread and say this. The horse was previously quite happy to be on her own and the OP knows her better than anyone. I would be turning her out, possibly naked, and ignoring her antics for today (obviously making sure she isnt doing herself any damage). She will either settle or she wont but I take the view that if this is how she chooses to spend her free time then thats down to her.


As OP has already noticed she is grazing then I would say she isnt actually that stressed.

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THANK YOU SPANIEL!

You have stopped me from wondering whether I really am off my trolley!
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I did consider leaving her without anything on but seeing as even I was chilly with a jumper on, I thought that was a bit nasty to her!
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Mizelz - you say that picture is one you have already posted before? So is that a picture of a result of her hooning around the field in a state or not? If not, why post it with this thread?

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Yes, it was a result of her mucking around in the field - if you read OP, i'd already stated that that was how she looked when left to run around - in that rug. I then explained why I had changed the rug today!

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I agree, I would be worried and think you should listen to her and not dismiss it as naughty just yet. Hasn't the farmer got a sheep you could borrow!?

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Unfortunately not; its a dairy farm! in the summer she does have 60-odd dry cows to keep her company (and chew her tail) though
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Y
 
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Why?
 

MizElz - have you thought about a donkey as a companion? they can be very calming for horses - maybe a donkey sanctuary could help you if you could offer one a home?
 
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Better come after me too then , my NF pony lives out by himself !!
But hopefully people don't see this as a case of 'cruelty'
I don't see this problem with it tbh
I prefer to spend money on making sure my NF is properly kept than having to split money on another pony even if it was only a shetland !!
 
I dont think people are accusing you of being cruel or uncaring, you are quite obviously (to me anyway) doing what you think is best for your horse. I think people are just trying to help and make suggestions as to what they would do in your situation.

I would just take everything on board and do what you think is best. You know your horse better than anyone on here, all we have to go on is what you told us in the first post and the photos, and judging by that is seems your horse is quite upset being turned out alone.

Dont take the comments too personally, just listen to what people are saying. After all everyone is just trying to help you, not upset you.
 
I have no experience of keeping a horse alone so no help as to why she's doing what she's doing but have you looked for a loan/companion at all? We recently loaned a horse and were prepared to pay all costs for the right home as it was mainly a lack of space that meant we had to loan her not a lack of funds. As it was she was taken on by someone who was happy to take on all costs but we would have paid vet, farrier, worming etc if needed. There may be someone else out there in this situation?
 
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Why?

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Pretty obvious really, from your post here and previous posts on horse beating
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Why?

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I don't think the horse warrants as a rescue case....just needs a solution to sort the problem out!
 
ISH_ Lover- totally agree.

My girl gets all the time, love and attention (and money) devoted to her and loves it!

if people want to waste the RSPCA's time when that horse looks in great condition (Less the sweat!) then they are the ones to blame with them becoming complacent to REAL crewlty cases!!
 
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gosh not much support going on except a few.. what a shame

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Is that in reply to me??
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Have you offered any advice?
 
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Why?

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I certainly dont think it is that bad. The horse has got a bit upset being out alone.

Or it could just be the fact that it has not been turned out in a while and had some steam to let off.

My horse was in recently for 2 weeks due to the state of the field. I put him in the menage, he went mad galloping round, rearing, bucking etc and came in sweaty. He was not upset at being alone, just was glad of the freedom and wanted to have a play.
 
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Just a thought, if you keep putting these sort of posts on here.. you might end up getting a visit from the RSPCA or ILPH if someone knows where you live........

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Why?

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I don't think the horse warrants as a rescue case....just needs a solution to sort the problem out!

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Didn't say it was a rescue case.. just OP previous posts ... the RSPC always do interfere in cases that aren't serious
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