Keep plugging away or not?

[MrsElle]

I have moved Ellie and Blue to livery for the winter and Ellie has settled straight back in (been there before), but Blue is still getting used to it.

He hasn't been stabled before but is doing ok in that respect, the problem I have is with bringing him in. I lead Blue and Ellie out together with no problems at all but when I bring them in Blue doesn't like walking through a hedgeline. He is hesitant when we approach it then shoots through it and is skitty back to the stables.

I am assuming that he doesn't like walking up this path through the hedge in the dusk/darkness as he is ok going the other way in daylight. He behaves the same whether I bring him in alone or with Ellie.

Do I carry on leading him up in the dark and hope he begins to accept that there isn't a horse eating monster behind the hedge, or ask the YO to bring him in during the week?

 

[Katie__Connie]

I would give it a bit longer but if still doesn't settle you may have to get YO to bring them in..

try leading him up and down that part of your walk in day light so he gets really used to it... and maybe try the same in the half light so he can see theres nothing scary!!
Or can you distract him with treats while you walk through the hedgeline?

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

Yes I agree, try and persist a bit longer and hopefully he will realise there is no horse eating monster behind the bush

 

[Digger123]

Personally I would persevere for a bit longer.Maybe a bit of bribary/distraction would help. Before you get to the man eating hedge stop let him have a look and let him have a piece of carrot.Might be enough to take his mind off rushing through if he thinks he might get a little snack.Then we can work on a cure for him expecting snacks !

 

[Ziggy_]

Assuming he's not doing anything dangerous I'd persist... I don't like to let them get away with silly little things in case it becomes a permanent 'quirk' so to speak.

Out of interest what happened with Tara? (hope I got the name right

) Did you send her back?

 

[V1NN]

hmm i have to take in 8 horses every night and you can guarantee evry night the same 4spook like crazy and jump out of their skins at literally nothing its a fair walk to the stables i just completely ignore them unless they stand on me it doesnt matter if i take them in 1 or 2 at a time either so to save time i take 2 at a time , they are the same going out is no problem at all. its funny coz my 18month tb x baby doesnt bat an eyelid even when he's walking with 1 who is jumping about all over the place strange animals! x

 

[MrsElle]

Thanks all, will persevere with him

He managed to smack me on the head with his head this evening, left me seeing stars, which is why I was asking the question.

I am glad I moved them to livery as it is giving 2 year old Blue lots of new experiences but I don't want to ruin the lad by either giving up too soon or persevering too long

Ziggy, Tara went back yesterday. I was going to take her to the livery yard but envisaged the same problems when we returned to our own field in spring

 

[Tickles]

If you're not already doing so - hat time I think! He'll almost certainly get used to it. Try going in back and forth through it (with treats!) until it is bor-ing. Good luck!

 

[chestnut cob]

I'd pay your YO to bring him (or them) in during the week. Even though he won't mean to do it, you might end up being leapt on at some point if he really spooks. Not worth the risk!

 

[eggs]

Would it be worth having the vet check his eyes?

 

[Vixxy]

My grey in sig Oliver is always a bit tense and spooky when I take him back and forth our back field behind our farm...After 5 yrs!

We don't use this field often and obviously as it gets darker much earlier here in Norway (around 3pm) there is a need to bring him in in the dark. I am just accepting of his strange ways, other field he is a perfect gent to turnout and has excellent manners to walk at my side on a looser lead rope.

Ollie wont change for some reason this is how it is for him, I accept his scared behaviour as we have tried everything but nothing changes it. I have no option for someone else to bring him up as we live on our own yard.

With Ollie it is definitely connected to the fact it is out of his normal routine and the field is only used now and again. I am sure if he was turned out there everyday the issue would not be there.

A longwinded way to say...Try a little longer ;-)