Keeping a horse stabled 24/7!!

Is he turned out alone?
If so I feel quite strongly that it really would be worth you trying turning him out 24/7 in a small herd situation
 
Sounds like a really tough one if he wants to come in at 3 and goes bonkers otherwise!!

This is a long shot but how about training an incompatible behaviour, i.e. training him to do something that is incompatible with him pissing off. Trying to think here as there may be a better version of this, but how about training him to target an object with his nose so that he learns to keep his nose 'attached' to this object (a small ball or anything you can conveniently keep in one hand). To train him offer the ball in a way he is likely to want to touch it out of curiosity, then reward with a small bit of food as soon as he does. Repeat often and in different places, also asking him to keep his nose on the object for longer and longer periods of time. Reward him loads during this period. When he can play this game easily in all sorts of different locations try him on the way to the field, you may find that conditioning takes over and the learned behaviour overrides the desire to piss off. Might be worth a try?
 
Does he get on with the other horse(s) in his field? Is this behaviour through nervousness at being picked on by the others? Is his field a nice place to be (plenty of grass, shelter etc). Why does he want to come in at 3pm? Is it to escape the others, to escape the field conditions (get warm/out of mud etc) or to get something to eat?

Don't discount 24/7 turnout based on your experiences at your yard so far. My horse preferred to be out all the time prior to her lami problems, but that was only in a nice, sheltered, suitably sized, non-muddy, grassy field with amenable company. Anywhere else and she didn't want to go through the gate.
 
Just to add we had a horse come to our farm with the same problems that you are having. Her horse was turned out with ours in over 30 acres and left 24/7.

He was a different horse within a month and it was hard for the owner to adjust as up to then he had been very much the pampered dressarge star.

However left to act and behave like a fell pony on the hills his whole attitude change. Not saying this would work for you but just thought you would be interested to know the story. All the best and for me it would be out not in every time.
 
have you ever turned him out as the same time as a really quiet old horse with the older horse behind him- perhaps he will feel safer/calmer with another horse- and wont be in such a rush to get in the field as the other horse is after him?
 
I agree with the others. Defo leave him out 24/7 with company.
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He sounds desperate to get out and worried you might change your mind, so barges in his anxious state.
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You mentioned he goes crazy about 3pm. I would still stick with it though. Can you put up a field shelter perhaps? Then he need never be brought in. I would certainly not stable him 24/7/365, IMO this is just nothing short of cruel
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and you certainly sound like a loving caring owner to me.
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If your current yard cannot accommodate 24/7 turnout, then I would really be looking for one that can. Good Luck x
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Wow, congratulations for your patience!

I used to ride a horse which had similar problems both with turn out and bringing in. When we approached the field he would tank off, usually with a half turn and what was described by his owners as a "friendly flick of the heels" which was actually a proven rib-shattering lash-out-and-bronc. He was also exactly the same when he was brought back in. The difference is that your boy sounds wonderful in every other respect. You don't mention but is he easy to bring back in?

You've probably tried this already, but do you have a really strict routine? This helped me no end with "horror horse". I'm guessing it helped him to know he would be going out at x o'clock sharp and there was less need to get excited. It sounds like he has his own routine by wanting to come in at 3pm.

Personally I would worry that if you stable for 24/7 he would get bargy coming out of the stable or would create other problems for you.

I would also agree with everyone else and advocate 24/7 turnout.

Good luck, do let us know if you find a solution and please be careful!
 
In general I think horses should be out as much as possible and I would also try to leave him out 24/7 if at all possible, just to see how it goes.

However, I'd like to add that most horses in Europe are stabled 24/7/365 and there are loads who not only survive but thrive in such a regimen. Lots of yards don't even have one single paddock. Virtually all (there will be exceptions) the top competition horses you see will have no or very limited turnout. This is not to say it's right (I personally want my own horses out as much as possible -- but here again, I am often considered as particularly 'fussy' for that! just goes to show how superfluous turnout is generally considered on the continent), but just to stress that you wouldn't be the only person in the world to leave your horse in.

Also, I have known a horse who simply hated being turned out - he really hated it. Not being turned out doesn't necessarily equal horsey unhappiness.

Try and decide what is best for you both and good luck!
 
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