My mare won't stop pacing!

[Ellietotz]

My mare has the tendency to wander a lot and unfortunately, because she is absolutely evil to the others, she has to be kept on her own. She lives out 24/7 but spends so much time wandering around and it's worse when she's in season as she wants to be with the others so she just trots up and down one side turning the field into a bog which the yard owner isn't happy about understandably!
Don't get me wrong, she does spend a lot of the time eating hay in her shelter or grazing when she can, some days she will be completely fine and others she will just pace up and down for ages and won't relax.

Is there anything I can do? She's lived on her own for over a year but still seems to have separation issues I think, if that is what this is. She wouldn't do it if she had company but she can't because she goes out for blood and hogs shelters etc and the others won't use their initiative to go to another shelter.

 

[Chinchilla]

following

 

[ycbm]

Can't help, but your mare is fence walking, not pacing.

Pacing is a gait, incorrect except in pacers.

 

[pixie27]

My gelding used to pace/fence walk all the time. Turned out at 7.30am and he'd start and carry on until he came in about 1/2ish. He was on individual turnout in quite small fields. Tried all sorts - feeding him haylage/hay in the field, moving him to different fields, bringing him in first, working him before he went out, calmers etc. Nothing worked.

Then got to the absolute end of my tether (he created trenches in his field about 1-2ft deep, was miserable, losing weight, always looked slightly 'off') and moved yards. He's now out in a HUGE field with a load of other geldings. He's like a different horse. Goes out at 7am and comes in at 4ish, but has to be dragged in. His whole temperament/attitude has changed too.

I know you say she's not good with others, but how not good? As in, if she went out with something more dominant, would she back off or not give in?
Could you try her in a bigger field? With different horses/geldings rather than mares? Different yard? Non-horse companion like sheep etc? Hopefully others will have better suggestions, but IMO, it's been the company that stopped mine doing it.

Though he definitely loves the extra space too... He can have a good gallop around, rather than 4-5 strides in his previous fields.

I really really feel your pain - there is nothing worse than watching them do it.

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

I had a short term livery that fence ran, complete nightmare!
I helped the owner get him into a boys only group, in a very safe large field. Within a month he was so settled that he didn't bother with others going out as he had buddied up with another which was totally retired.
I take most, but fence runners drive me bonkers and wreck fields. Having brought one back in the 80s, I swiftly sold him on to a comp home in a very busy yard, where he only had short term turnout, which worked for him

OP, are you able to get a paddock with no hard corners, no shelters and a friend which doesn't go anywhere?

 

[PapaverFollis]

Granny has always been a fence walker and it's a nightmare when she starts. I struggled on a couple of yards feeling like a social outcast cos my horse was "bad". Bigger fields and really good routine and settled company have helped. Very noticable that the best she has been is the current full(ish) livery set up where the majority of horses are on the same routine. She's very alpha mare and likes to know everyone is ok, so when the routines are all different it unsettles her. And if I was being a bit rubbish and not getting to the yard at the right times and stuff she'd be off again. At the current yard I can take the younger mare out of the field and off the yard and Granny doesn't care - which is a minor miracle to be honest but I think it's just that the rest of the herd is very settled so she can cope better with the comings and goings. Also it could just be age is finally settling her down (at 22 :lol: ). An understanding yard owner helps MY stress levels about it enormously!!

 

[Shay]

You've given her a year to settle and she clearly isn't going to. It is really rare that a horse is happy alone and your mare clearly isn't. In your place I would really worry about her long term health with this. As others have said - very large fields with settled groups usually works best. Personally I prefer gender specific separate turn out - but I know others differ and manage fine in a mixed herd. You just need to know what works for your mare. But your current arrangement clearly doesn't and you need to change it for her.

 

[Equi]

She needs a buddy, simple as that really. There will always be one horse who she will settle with, you just need to find it.

 

[Ellietotz]

She's lived on this field for her whole life but unfortunately, the original herd have all passed now. She can't live with the others because she will go out to get them, she won't stop until she has them trapped in a corner. Then if it's raining or hot, she hogs the shelters and no one else uses initiative to go to the other ones.

 

[be positive]

She's lived on this field for her whole life but unfortunately, the original herd have all passed now. She can't live with the others because she will go out to get them, she won't stop until she has them trapped in a corner. Then if it's raining or hot, she hogs the shelters and no one else uses initiative to go to the other ones.

Have you tried her in a different field, it sounds as if she thinks of this one as hers and is not going to accept a new arrival easily but they can be better if moved to neutral ground where she is not on her own territory, a few weeks in with another could mean they can move back together to her normal field, if she is ever going to settle properly the YO may need to think outside the box a bit and this is what I would try first.

 

[Ellietotz]

Have you tried her in a different field, it sounds as if she thinks of this one as hers and is not going to accept a new arrival easily but they can be better if moved to neutral ground where she is not on her own territory, a few weeks in with another could mean they can move back together to her normal field, if she is ever going to settle properly the YO may need to think outside the box a bit and this is what I would try first.

Yeah, she moved into the other one a couple of weeks a go, she can still say hello over the fence etc but she has now made a trench in that one too. The herd there has been there for over 2 years now but she's dominant and YO doesn't like her bossing them all around and hogging shelters and hurting them, potentially badly. :/

 

[wkiwi]

She's lived on this field for her whole life but unfortunately, the original herd have all passed now. She can't live with the others because she will go out to get them, she won't stop until she has them trapped in a corner. Then if it's raining or hot, she hogs the shelters and no one else uses initiative to go to the other ones.

Does that mean she used to get on with the horses that were there before? How big is the paddock?
Is she aggressive because of dominance, or because of lack of social skills, or because she lacks confidence herself (as in the 'attack is the best form of defence').
For a dominant mare, Sue McDonnell (world renowned equine behavioural scientist) recommends trying with something more dominant though risks injury to yours, or very not dominant the other way (so no threat). Horses tend to prefer others of the same colour (or the colour of their dams) if that is any help.
Or could you get a small companion pony, establish a bond when stabled/penned, then the pony could have one area of the field fenced off so always there next to her but not in with her. Or ditto with a sheep or similar (as suggested earlier) if a pony is not practical.
Just some ideas. A behaviourist actually viewing her behaviour in-situ may give more help especially if it is socialisation related.

 

[be positive]

Yeah, she moved into the other one a couple of weeks a go, she can still say hello over the fence etc but she has now made a trench in that one too. The herd there has been there for over 2 years now but she's dominant and YO doesn't like her bossing them all around and hogging shelters and hurting them, potentially badly. :/

There was no point in moving her into a new field on her own, she needs company and if the other horse was already in there she may have accepted it was that ones field and not attacked it, lost opportunity to give her a chance to live with another.
Isn't she the mare that had ulcers? being constantly stressed will not help them, maybe it is time to move her to somewhere new where the YO doesn't think of her as trouble, unhappy horses cause far more trouble than happy relaxed ones, I have never had one that I haven't been able to turn out with something even if it means juggling them around and we have a fair few come and go, actually I did have 1 that wasn't good with others but he was perfectly happy alone so he went out on his own most of the time.

 

[Ellietotz]

Does that mean she used to get on with the horses that were there before? How big is the paddock?
Is she aggressive because of dominance, or because of lack of social skills, or because she lacks confidence herself (as in the 'attack is the best form of defence').
For a dominant mare, Sue McDonnell (world renowned equine behavioural scientist) recommends trying with something more dominant though risks injury to yours, or very not dominant the other way (so no threat). Horses tend to prefer others of the same colour (or the colour of their dams) if that is any help.
Or could you get a small companion pony, establish a bond when stabled/penned, then the pony could have one area of the field fenced off so always there next to her but not in with her. Or ditto with a sheep or similar (as suggested earlier) if a pony is not practical.
Just some ideas. A behaviourist actually viewing her behaviour in-situ may give more help especially if it is socialisation related.

She wasn't the dominant one in the last herd so was fine. There is now a new one in the herd who has been there a month, he is 16.2h and she's only 13.3, he is now in charge and YO doesn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. I can't have a new one for company as there is no space and YO won't split hers up.

 

[Ellietotz]

There was no point in moving her into a new field on her own, she needs company and if the other horse was already in there she may have accepted it was that ones field and not attacked it, lost opportunity to give her a chance to live with another.
Isn't she the mare that had ulcers? being constantly stressed will not help them, maybe it is time to move her to somewhere new where the YO doesn't think of her as trouble, unhappy horses cause far more trouble than happy relaxed ones, I have never had one that I haven't been able to turn out with something even if it means juggling them around and we have a fair few come and go, actually I did have 1 that wasn't good with others but he was perfectly happy alone so he went out on his own most of the time.

Yeah, the ulcers are gone now but I'm just so worried they will come back. She was always turned out in all the fields for her whole life until now where she is confined on her own. She is okay for some time and then bad again when the grass is coming through and the others have got it all or when she's in season.

 

[wkiwi]

She wasn't the dominant one in the last herd so was fine. There is now a new one in the herd who has been there a month, he is 16.2h and she's only 13.3, he is now in charge and YO doesn't want to risk anyone getting hurt. I can't have a new one for company as there is no space and YO won't split hers up.

She was the dominant one in the last herd, she has lived on this field her whole life, yet it is not big enough for her to have another one for company?? I must be getting the story muddled here.
Horses are a social herd species. If she is getting this stressed and you can't work out something where she is then it sounds like (for her own welfare) you will have to find somewhere else for her where she can be kept with another pony/horse she is compatible with.

 

[Ellietotz]

She was the dominant one in the last herd, she has lived on this field her whole life, yet it is not big enough for her to have another one for company?? I must be getting the story muddled here.
Horses are a social herd species. If she is getting this stressed and you can't work out something where she is then it sounds like (for her own welfare) you will have to find somewhere else for her where she can be kept with another pony/horse she is compatible with.

Yeah, there are 6 acres but all sectioned into two big ones and 5 smaller ones but they can have full roam of all as all the gates join through as well so if they are all in a smaller one, she can corner them. Where she is in charge too, they all follow her and if she's stood in a shelter, none of the others will go in because she's in there and won't go to any of the others. It's a nightmare.

 

[JJS]

She's lived on this field for her whole life but unfortunately, the original herd have all passed now. She can't live with the others because she will go out to get them, she won't stop until she has them trapped in a corner. Then if it's raining or hot, she hogs the shelters and no one else uses initiative to go to the other ones.

I'm sorry, but you sound like you're accepting defeat without really trying to find a workable solution. Your horse has lived with other horses before, and she can live with them again - not only can, but it sounds like she's telling you in every way she can that she needs to. If your current yard can't accommodate you, look for somewhere else. It's all about finding the right dynamic, and I don't doubt there's a set-up out there that will work for her. Right now, she clearly doesn't have that, and it seems to be making the poor mare miserable

 

[JillA]

I read recently that it can be a symptom of ulcers. Which would fit with constant stress really.

 

[Shay]

I would echo my previous advice. If this YO will not work with you to find a suitable solution for your mare you have to move her. This isn't fair on her. Whether she has been there her whole life or not she is miserable and stressed. You need to find a better solution for her.

 

[Ellietotz]

I'm sorry, but you sound like you're accepting defeat without really trying to find a workable solution. Your horse has lived with other horses before, and she can live with them again - not only can, but it sounds like she's telling you in every way she can that she needs to. If your current yard can't accommodate you, look for somewhere else. It's all about finding the right dynamic, and I don't doubt there's a set-up out there that will work for her. Right now, she clearly doesn't have that, and it seems to be making the poor mare miserable

I'm definitely not accepting defeat at all. I've tried to speak to YO and currently approaching the subject again about it now and she says she won't risk one of hers getting hurt even though it's currently my mare being at risk of being hurt with injury or ulcers. I will have to look for somewhere else, I have no choice, I can't leave her like this.

 

[CocoFabs]

Bless her probably really sad everyone has gone now

 

[Chinchilla]

I'm definitely not accepting defeat at all. I've tried to speak to YO and currently approaching the subject again about it now and she says she won't risk one of hers getting hurt even though it's currently my mare being at risk of being hurt with injury or ulcers. I will have to look for somewhere else, I have no choice, I can't leave her like this.

Can you try and find a very very alpha mare to knock some sense into yours (figuratively!) or a tiny, young, subordinate pony who will back off as I know has already been suggested? Maybe try and put an advert up saying you need something temporarily (preloved/facebook)? Lots of people issues getting alphas to fit into groups in confined spaces (I mean in the wild a horse can't get trapped by another animal as they can in a field if that makes sense) or generally figuring out group dynamics in finite spaces....I know have actually considered putting my alpha mare in solitary turnout but I won't do that, ever, ever, ever, so just deal with the flying feet and ploughed up field. But I am lucky in not having to share a yard with anybody, which is a luxury you sadly don't have.

 

[Ellietotz]

Can you try and find a very very alpha mare to knock some sense into yours (figuratively!) or a tiny, young, subordinate pony who will back off as I know has already been suggested? Maybe try and put an advert up saying you need something temporarily (preloved/facebook)? Lots of people issues getting alphas to fit into groups in confined spaces (I mean in the wild a horse can't get trapped by another animal as they can in a field if that makes sense) or generally figuring out group dynamics in finite spaces....I know have actually considered putting my alpha mare in solitary turnout but I won't do that, ever, ever, ever, so just deal with the flying feet and ploughed up field. But I am lucky in not having to share a yard with anybody, which is a luxury you sadly don't have.

YO won't split hers up and I'm not allowed to have another there. There isn't anyone else there. The new horse is now the alpha and she doesn't want to put my mare out with the herd for them to have a fight to figure out who's in charge and she doesn't like that my mare herds everyone around as well. They rode out today and my mare spent two hours galloping around, covered in mud and sweat at the end of it. YO doesn't think it's an issue because sometimes she is calm and she could go a week or so without a problem. I just don't think it's fair for her to be stressed and unhappy at any time whether it's often or not.

 

[JillA]

Did they leave your mare on her own when they hacked out? If so.................find another yard! That could lead to any number of accidents and injuries and shows lack of horsemanship

 

[Ellietotz]

Did they leave your mare on her own when they hacked out? If so.................find another yard! That could lead to any number of accidents and injuries and shows lack of horsemanship

There was just one of hers left there in the field next to her so she could say hello over the fence but he didn't stay by the fence the whole time obviously! She was okay until he walked off. I wasn't there, this is what YO told me.

 

[Arzada]

The point comes when it's time to move and it seems that that point has been reached. There isn't a solution for you at this yard and you and your horse are both not happy. I wish you well in finding somewhere that will suit you both and hopefully somewhere that will suit your horse to be with others.

 

[DabDab]

Yes agree with others, it really sounds like you need to move her to a new yard. There's no point trying to progress a horse work-wise when they're working themselves up into that kind of stress in their down time. If she's as unhappy as this behaviour suggests then she's going to be stressy mess to ride.

 

[be positive]

Do you own her now or is she still on loan? if she is yours I probably missed it and suggest you move ASAP, the YO is not being in any way fair to you or this poor mare, you have tried to sort out her numerous issues with some success but the YO is being so unhelpful and obstructive, as you are funding all her care/ vet bills/ livery, whether you own or loan, I think you do need to take a stand and tell her that you want to move her before you end up with either an injured horse, one with more ulcers or you have an accident riding her because she is so stressed.

You have posted numerous threads about the many different issues with the mare and the YO and I have no idea why you continue to put up with the situation, you may love her but this is doing you no good, the YO sounds like a uncaring person who is using your love for the mare to offload her responsibilities yet is still controlling what you do with her and letting you pay her for the privilege, it is worse than a share in so many ways, you have no real control yet most of the responsibility and all of the expense, it doesn't sound as if you get that much pleasure out of the arrangement despite your best efforts.

 

[Rosiejazzandpia]

Time to move yards to a nice big herd. I wouldn't ever keep a horse on its own and watch it walk the fence. Horses are herd animals, you may have to play about with a herd but eventually you'll find that they do get along well if they have enough space to do their own thing