Mare does not like being out.

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showqa

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Just do not get this. My 8 yo TB mare doesn not like being out in the field. After a couple of hours today, and it really was a nice day, she was walking the fence. There's grass, she's with my other horse and the field is very quiet and calm. BUT she wants to come back up the stockyard instead. Any ideas? Should I insist that she stays out or bring her back up to the yard? How come she hasn't read the text book, where it says that horses need lots of turn out????
 
She's not stabled as such. They live in a three sided barn with a bed down, that opens onto a stockyard next to the house.
 
My mare is exactly the same, and after 11 years of ownership, I don't battle against her anymore - I just let her do as she pleases! In the winter, she practically refuses to be out - I've got photos somewhere of her lathered with sweat (literally white from head to toe) after galloping round and round the field. It doesn't matter if she has company or not, if she has a rug on or off, if it's raining or sunny, and whether she's in season or not - if she doesnt want to be out, she doesnt want to be out!

She's gone through the whole winter being stabled 24/7 - and has stayed sane and happy. We're now getting to the point where she is happy to go out for half an hour or so each day - spring has sprung!!! Come the summer, she'll happily stay out 24/7. Weird, weird mare!!!!
 
Oh Mizelz, that doesn't exactly inspire me with confidence! Trouble is, she unsettles my other horse who would quite happily be out all day. Perhaps as the weather warms up a bit then, she might be happier out.
 
I think you have suit the horse re turnout etc.In winter Captain is in 24/7 by his own choice. He removes the gate and goes back to his stable if forced to stay out. He is happy. You need to individualise the turnout to suit the horse.

FDC
 
What about a field shelter? Of course, put a bed down in it as it seems she likes that and haynet water etc. with no restriction. That way, she can pick and choose as she pleases?
 
I have one like this. If you do get him as far as the field gate, he'll refuse to go in, and he'll fight you until he gets away from you and trot purposefully back to his stable and stand in there waiting for you to shut the door.

If you push the issue and make him go out he'll fence walk until the field is destroyed and his legs are swollen!
 
I've got a hardy cob, pfft not likely he wants to come in even if it's a bit cloudy, in the summer on the days we actually have sun, then he,s fine out 24/7...

I wouldn't mind if he just paced up and down, but he goes into silly sod mode, and often comes in sweating...

I,ve got to the point now where I think if the weather is a bit miserable I leave him in, he,s fine being in on his own (the extra hay net helps).
 
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