Introducing turnout, ex racer

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pixiebee

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My new ex racer arrived late thurs eve and I puther in the stable overnight to setle, fri morning I thaught I might try putting her out in the field with my horse who is very quiet. Well, it didnt go well, she galloped across the field full speed and ran through the electric fencing and galloped back into the yard, so I put her back in the stable and she settled quickly in there, thank god she wasnt hurt. Anyway, I put her in the starvationn paddock which is tiny but fully wooden fenced and she was a bit jittery but again settled well UNTIL I went to walk away, she got panicked and I had to go and stand by the gate again, she settled fine when I stood by the gate!!! She had horses next door but this made no difference. So she is back in the stable where she seems most settled but i cant box her 24/7 ?? I know its early days and she will of course take a while to settle in her new surroundings (she rode beautifully today and tiedup on the yard for a brush and was good) I have emailed her previosu owner to ask about her turnout as i didnt think to ask about how big her fields were and what fencing. I was told she turns out with others fine and by herself fine but didnt get much turnout due to wet fields etc. whats the best tactic here as she will need to eventually be turned out with electric fencing in quite a big field with my other horse. she is brill in all other aspects so far!! :-)
 
not sure it would solve your problem or not but have you thought about double fencing it with those high fence posts with a bit of a gap between although if she was a hurdler that may not work ;)

Im sure she'll settle with time. Any pics of the new lady??
 
Dont worry, mine was the same. First time out I walked to the other mares and she promptly turned around and galloped back to gate. It took a good week before she would leave the gate way. She then decided that she actually liked being out and then didn't want to come in so would walk so slowly it was unbelievable. It's all new so don't worry, she probably feels like the new kid at school :)
 
Hi I have had mine 2 month now and she is a different horse.
We put her out in the field with our little pony and she was ok after getting a few pricks from the fence but she always wanted in after half an hour, but now she is getting better and will stay out longer but wants in if cold or wet.
We did try and keep her out all night but didnt realy like it so we now bring her in at night as thats what she likes and happy with, but it just takes time an hour extra each day as they are not normaly turned out and normaly go on the horsewalker, getting ridden or in the stable :)
 
When she is in the starve patch on her own, can you put a bucket of feed at the other end of the paddock from the gate for her?

I'm actually a bit jealous though - my ex-racer hates being stabled and kicks the door and stresses when shes in! I'd love her to be able to settle more in the stable!
 
might try feeding her in the paddock, hopefully she will associate that with something good! Here is the trouble maker

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Just build up to it as slowly as she needs, is there another horse who could go in the small paddock with her safely at first?
 
Can't comment on the turnout issue other than to say it will take time, however did want to say she is lovely! Good luck with her!
 
She's lovely! The first day i turned mine out he galloped about until he was dripping. I then put him out next door to my other horse and a small group and then out with them. the first time he jumped straight out back into his original paddock so i turned him out just with my other horse and he was fine.

He now is in a stable herd of 7 and is fine. He has got over the constant self harming and has risen from the bottom of the pecking order. I've had him nearly 3 years, so it took a while.

As you've said it just takes time for them to adjust, but they like company and I can't leave my boy out on his own for long.
 
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