Okay, so what would you do...

[ QUOTE ]
How about putting another fence inside so it is doubled. We have done is in the past with a pony that would not stay in its own field. It realised it was too wide to jump so stayed put.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's a good idea! Hadn't thought of that, but I can see that it may well work!
smile.gif


Chumsmum - I dont think another horse is the answer to their problem, regardless of how big or small! As I said earlier - they've been there - the pony they sold last year was only 11 hands!
 
I would NOT hobble it. I feel very strongly that hobbling is cruel and creates more problems than answers.

Has anything changed about the horses' routine? Makes me think something must have done, no matter how insignificant it may seem.

Whatever happened to solving the cause rather than treating the symptoms. Why don't you suggest to them to de-sensitise the horse to being on its own and make it a nice experience. Start to lead the other horse out of the field and back again, without going out of sight and gradually increase the distance it goes until it is out of sight for a few seconds and then comes back into sight. With time the pony should learn that his friend will always come back. If they made a habit of doing something really nice with the pony - like feed it, give it a likkit, or even just bring it in for a good fuss & groom it can associate time without the other horse as NICE time, rather than something to panic about.
 
if they cant afford a miniature then they cant really afford to have the horses they have, minis are a plenty, not expensive and cheap to keep on the whole, other than if you get unlucky with vets bills, however, if pony is attached to the one thats going out, its no guarantee it still wont follow.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I would NOT hobble it. I feel very strongly that hobbling is cruel and creates more problems than answers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Fair enough; I cant say I like hobbles much either, but I do believe they have their place, and can be effective, used in the right hands. But as I said, owner was not enthusiastic about using them anyway, so think its a non starter!


[ QUOTE ]

Has anything changed about the horses' routine? Makes me think something must have done, no matter how insignificant it may seem.


[/ QUOTE ]

Nope, not that I know of, although she isnt my horse so I perhaps am not qualified to judge. The only thing that has changed is the fact that having got through/over the electric fence once, when owners accidentally forgot to turn it on, the mare became canny and decided that she could do it again....and that jumping higher avoids being shocked. In other words, what has changed is her respect for fences, be they electric, barbe wire or a gate! (she has cleared all
crazy.gif
)

[ QUOTE ]
Whatever happened to solving the cause rather than treating the symptoms. Why don't you suggest to them to de-sensitise the horse to being on its own and make it a nice experience. Start to lead the other horse out of the field and back again, without going out of sight and gradually increase the distance it goes until it is out of sight for a few seconds and then comes back into sight. With time the pony should learn that his friend will always come back. If they made a habit of doing something really nice with the pony - like feed it, give it a likkit, or even just bring it in for a good fuss & groom it can associate time without the other horse as NICE time, rather than something to panic about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, not sure that it could ever be as nice and simple as that! They have done plenty to try to keep her in - haynets, carrots, feed buckets etc - and yet she still gets out. It is also worth a mention that she doesnt necessarily follow her stable mate - the last three times she has escaped, she has done it about 20 minutes after being left alone, and we found her standing talking to Ellie over the gate, rather than galloping after her companion. And if you saw how quietly and happily she stands in when we have had to put her in Ellie's stable, I dont think you would think she was 'upset'....the look on her face is more akin to 'Bugger it, got caught again.'
 
[ QUOTE ]
if they cant afford a miniature then they cant really afford to have the horses they have, minis are a plenty, not expensive and cheap to keep on the whole, other than if you get unlucky with vets bills, however, if pony is attached to the one thats going out, its no guarantee it still wont follow.

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree, there is nothing to say she wont follow still!
crazy.gif


I dont understand why so many people's answer to any kind of problem with escaping/restlessness/strange behaviour is to 'get another horse' though. Having any horse should be a major commitment; I fear many people seem to be taking the principle of 'if you've got two, you can have three' far too lightly
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I dont understand why so many people's answer to any kind of problem with escaping/restlessness/strange behaviour is to 'get another horse' though. Having any horse should be a major commitment; I fear many people seem to be taking the principle of 'if you've got two, you can have three' far too lightly
confused.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I know it's a bit off topic, but I have to agree with this. When I took Missie out of livery and moved her to my parents' farm I got her a companion, as I thought it was not fair to have her living on her own. And I have to say I've just caused myself more problems, as the two of them are now inseparable, and taking Missie away to ride her is such a hassle that I've basically given up riding now, when originally I'd planned to keep riding as far into my pregnancy as possible. Come winter when I get her back into work I will have a tough decision to make - do I a) put up with the histrionics the two of them throw every time I want to work Missie, b) get rid of the companion (perhaps more traumatic than if she never had one at all) or c) put her in livery when she will have lots of other horses for company (can't afford this). No doubt many people will suggest I get another horse as a companion for the companion... But it just gets silly after a while doesn't it?!! I can't see the point in having 3 horses to look after, when I only want to ride one!!
 
what about a goat????

Cheap as eat any old rubbish and my old pony used to share a stable with one, to keep him from going mad when other horse was taken out!!

x x
 
[ QUOTE ]

I dont understand why so many people's answer to any kind of problem with escaping/restlessness/strange behaviour is to 'get another horse' though. Having any horse should be a major commitment; I fear many people seem to be taking the principle of 'if you've got two, you can have three' far too lightly
confused.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Simple, part of the "commitment" means ensuring any horses you are responsible for are not unduly stressed, and danger to them or caused by them is kept to a minimum. Company is one of a horse's basic fundamental needs, people should be aware of this when they choose to buy a horse. There are livery yards to accommodate people who don't have enough land or money to keep multiple horses. If I were in their shoes I would buy a mini/loan an oldie and be more understanding of why the pony is reacting the way it is to being left alone.
 
Oh donadea, your story makes me so glad I've kept things the way they are with Ellie
crazy.gif
I agree with you entirely, but unfortunately we seem to be in the minority
confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Whatever happened to solving the cause rather than treating the symptoms. Why don't you suggest to them to de-sensitise the horse to being on its own and make it a nice experience. Start to lead the other horse out of the field and back again, without going out of sight and gradually increase the distance it goes until it is out of sight for a few seconds and then comes back into sight. With time the pony should learn that his friend will always come back. If they made a habit of doing something really nice with the pony - like feed it, give it a likkit, or even just bring it in for a good fuss & groom it can associate time without the other horse as NICE time, rather than something to panic about.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmm, not sure that it could ever be as nice and simple as that! They have done plenty to try to keep her in - haynets, carrots, feed buckets etc - and yet she still gets out. It is also worth a mention that she doesnt necessarily follow her stable mate - the last three times she has escaped, she has done it about 20 minutes after being left alone, and we found her standing talking to Ellie over the gate, rather than galloping after her companion. And if you saw how quietly and happily she stands in when we have had to put her in Ellie's stable, I dont think you would think she was 'upset'....the look on her face is more akin to 'Bugger it, got caught again.'

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmm okay then.. does the pony seem ok to be left when they remove the other horse, or does it start to pace/call/whatever straight away? has anyone watched what happens? Difficult one if said pone doesn't seem agitated but then jumps out 20 minutes later.
confused.gif
I would still try to get something nice happening to pony (INSIDE!!) the field while friend is gone. I appreciate not practical in long term but a little time invested now might solve problem for good - it did for us.

Or alternatively... is there a safe walkway to Ellie that they could leave her so that if she did want to go to talk to Ellie she could do so safely? Would that work or be practical?

Her respect for fences/gates etc is the bit that would be worrying me - I can't think how you could get that back!! usually when ours get a bit too relaxed about the elec fence they get zapped and won't go within 5 feet of it again. No good if she's jumping cleanly & not barging the fence!
smirk.gif
 
Yep we sure do! I do think it depends on the horse, but it does seem for some, having a friend but then being periodically separated seems to be more traumatic than if they were allowed to just settle on their own to begin with. I must say I've read quite a few of your threads, which are started on entirely unrelated issues and yet seem to get twisted round to this companion issue, and some of the dogmatic comments made by people are really quite annoying!! We all do our best for our horses after all, but sometimes there just isn't any choice!
 
[ QUOTE ]

Simple, part of the "commitment" means ensuring any horses you are responsible for are not unduly stressed, and danger to them or caused by them is kept to a minimum. Company is one of a horse's basic fundamental needs, people should be aware of this when they choose to buy a horse. There are livery yards to accommodate people who don't have enough land or money to keep multiple horses. If I were in their shoes I would buy a mini/loan an oldie and be more understanding of why the pony is reacting the way it is to being left alone.

[/ QUOTE ]

Understanding is one thing, being in their situation and knowing their pony as they know it (and as I have tried to explain, but seemingly without result) is another. If you were 'in their shoes', I dont think you would get another, because they have been there, done that - and that 'other' pony was just as much of an escape artist - in fact he used to escape when the now-problem mare would just stand watching him!

People are very quick to make judgements; I know I have asked for ideas about what they could do, but it seems to me all I have been given is the advice to 'get another horse' which, ironically, was the same advice given when I posted about how I couldnt keep Ellie in the field for more than an hour. I tell you now, if I had rushed out and bought a companion when she first started mucking around, I'd be gutted now! For the problem solved itself; she just didnt like being out there in less-than-sunny weather; now, she is often out 24/7.

And I say it again: when you choose to buy a horse, your situation may be secure....but then what if you have to downsize, for whatever reasons? What if three horses have to become one - is that cruel? Should you sell your soulmate, simply because you cannot, at that time, give him company?

I suspect I know what many answers to that would be, and it saddens me that people are so narrow minded
frown.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Yep we sure do! I do think it depends on the horse, but it does seem for some, having a friend but then being periodically separated seems to be more traumatic than if they were allowed to just settle on their own to begin with. I must say I've read quite a few of your threads, which are started on entirely unrelated issues and yet seem to get twisted round to this companion issue, and some of the dogmatic comments made by people are really quite annoying!! We all do our best for our horses after all, but sometimes there just isn't any choice!

[/ QUOTE ]

*wipes brow in relief*

Nice to know I'm not a complete moron when it comes to horse management, I do wonder sometimes!
shocked.gif
crazy.gif


Naturally - the respect issue is a BIG problem...she does have quite a pop! Unfortunately there is no safe walkway to Ellie's field; we are about half a km from their house, and to get to us, the mare has to gallop through the farmyard, up the track, past another house (where there are two young toddlers often playing) and round the back of our house...
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

Simple, part of the "commitment" means ensuring any horses you are responsible for are not unduly stressed, and danger to them or caused by them is kept to a minimum. Company is one of a horse's basic fundamental needs, people should be aware of this when they choose to buy a horse. There are livery yards to accommodate people who don't have enough land or money to keep multiple horses. If I were in their shoes I would buy a mini/loan an oldie and be more understanding of why the pony is reacting the way it is to being left alone.

[/ QUOTE ]

Understanding is one thing, being in their situation and knowing their pony as they know it (and as I have tried to explain, but seemingly without result) is another. If you were 'in their shoes', I dont think you would get another, because they have been there, done that - and that 'other' pony was just as much of an escape artist - in fact he used to escape when the now-problem mare would just stand watching him!

People are very quick to make judgements; I know I have asked for ideas about what they could do, but it seems to me all I have been given is the advice to 'get another horse' which, ironically, was the same advice given when I posted about how I couldnt keep Ellie in the field for more than an hour. I tell you now, if I had rushed out and bought a companion when she first started mucking around, I'd be gutted now! For the problem solved itself; she just didnt like being out there in less-than-sunny weather; now, she is often out 24/7.

And I say it again: when you choose to buy a horse, your situation may be secure....but then what if you have to downsize, for whatever reasons? What if three horses have to become one - is that cruel? Should you sell your soulmate, simply because you cannot, at that time, give him company?

I suspect I know what many answers to that would be, and it saddens me that people are so narrow minded
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Exactly what I was trying to say, but much more eloquently put! When I bought Missie I could afford livery and I had the time to travel, now I'm having a baby I don't. Does that mean I should sell Missie, just because FOR NOW I can't afford to give her company? I could sell her, and a perfect livery yard might open up just down the road. Or next summer I could finally achieve my dream of finding my own place with land, where I could afford to have more than one horse. How gutted would I be if I'd sold her then?
I'm with you all the way on this one MizElz!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
What would you do if your son was @ home, crying all alone on the bedroom floor cause he's hungry and the only way to feed him is to sleep with a man for a little bit of money????

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd go and shoot a fox; that would keep him in meals for a couple of days
smirk.gif
tongue.gif
 

Understanding is one thing, being in their situation and knowing their pony as they know it (and as I have tried to explain, but seemingly without result) is another. If you were 'in their shoes', I dont think you would get another, because they have been there, done that - and that 'other' pony was just as much of an escape artist - in fact he used to escape when the now-problem mare would just stand watching him!

People are very quick to make judgements; I know I have asked for ideas about what they could do, but it seems to me all I have been given is the advice to 'get another horse' which, ironically, was the same advice given when I posted about how I couldnt keep Ellie in the field for more than an hour. I tell you now, if I had rushed out and bought a companion when she first started mucking around, I'd be gutted now! For the problem solved itself; she just didnt like being out there in less-than-sunny weather; now, she is often out 24/7.

And I say it again: when you choose to buy a horse, your situation may be secure....but then what if you have to downsize, for whatever reasons? What if three horses have to become one - is that cruel? Should you sell your soulmate, simply because you cannot, at that time, give him company?

I suspect I know what many answers to that would be, and it saddens me that people are so narrow minded
frown.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

Im sorry but i find your response both flippant and down right rude. There are better ways to put your point across than to call people narror minded and complain about the advise you have been given. If you dont like the advise (when you have clearly stated you posted something similar a while ago - dont post it again.
confused.gif
mad.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]


Im sorry but i find your response both flippant and down right rude. There are better ways to put your point across than to call people narror minded and complain about the advise you have been given. If you dont like the advise (when you have clearly stated you posted something similar a while ago - dont post it again.
confused.gif
mad.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like you to tell me exactly where I have been 'flippant', and even more so where I have been 'rude'. I'm not even going to bother arguing with you; you clearly have paid no attention to what I have said here. Please keep your insults to yourself, in the future. You do not know me, you know nothing about my situation other than what I have said here, and - the key thing - nobody else has had a problem with what I have posted here.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Im sorry but i find your response both flippant and down right rude. There are better ways to put your point across than to call people narror minded and complain about the advise you have been given. If you dont like the advise (when you have clearly stated you posted something similar a while ago - dont post it again.
confused.gif
mad.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like you to tell me exactly where I have been 'flippant', and even more so where I have been 'rude'. I'm not even going to bother arguing with you; you clearly have paid no attention to what I have said here. Please keep your insults to yourself, in the future. You do not know me, you know nothing about my situation other than what I have said here, and - the key thing - nobody else has had a problem with what I have posted here.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, please tell me where i insulted you? i was merely stating my opinion.
Clearly you dont like being criticised.
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Im sorry but i find your response both flippant and down right rude. There are better ways to put your point across than to call people narror minded and complain about the advise you have been given. If you dont like the advise (when you have clearly stated you posted something similar a while ago - dont post it again.
confused.gif
mad.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I'd like you to tell me exactly where I have been 'flippant', and even more so where I have been 'rude'. I'm not even going to bother arguing with you; you clearly have paid no attention to what I have said here. Please keep your insults to yourself, in the future. You do not know me, you know nothing about my situation other than what I have said here, and - the key thing - nobody else has had a problem with what I have posted here.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ok, please tell me where i insulted you? i was merely stating my opinion.
Clearly you dont like being criticised.

[/ QUOTE ]

I really dont want to get into an argument over this, but I just get the impression that you have not read my thread properly, nor the previous threads on the similar subject. If you had, you would understand that my own situation means I would be unable to have another horse - and also, that my problem was actually solved not by company, but by the weather! And in this case, which has actually nothing to do with me - I was merely curious as to what kinds of things people would do in my neighbour's position - equine company is also not the answer, as it is something they have tried, which has not succeeded in solving the problem.
I gave reasons above as to why we do not want to houdini mare put in with Ellie, although I remember saying that it had been something we had considered before discounting it. I have also stated my opinion regarding the way in which many people - not all, but many - seem to regard buying/getting another horse as a solution to all problems, and I cannot understand this viewpoint. I dont think that disagreeing with this in the way I have done can be considered 'rude' at all, and I can see no evidence of anywhere where I have been 'flippant'. These allegations were what I found insulting - I am certainly not a flippant person; at least, it is not something I have ever had levelled at me before.

I have no problem with criticism, as long as it is justified - and I felt that your post was completely unjustified and lacking any kind of grounding in the thread.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Will leave it here and just agree to disagree.
grin.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

No problem!
smile.gif
Sometimes it is the easiest way....LOL!
grin.gif
 
You causing trouble again G?
laugh.gif

For a serial Houdini, maybe put barrels/obstacles in front of the tape/fence? Not pretty, but may deter.
Or attach a string of CD's or noisy bags to scare it?
Not tried these (not had this problem, any of mine left alone have to learn to get on with it for an hour, neighing and running around..they soon start grazing again) but just thinking aloud
smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
You causing trouble again G?
laugh.gif

For a serial Houdini, maybe put barrels/obstacles in front of the tape/fence? Not pretty, but may deter.
Or attach a string of CD's or noisy bags to scare it?
Not tried these (not had this problem, any of mine left alone have to learn to get on with it for an hour, neighing and running around..they soon start grazing again) but just thinking aloud
smile.gif


[/ QUOTE ]

I dont know for certain, but I *think* they have tried this.....their place is pretty much a building site at the moment, and I think they've used sand sacks and barrels to try to deter naughty pony....but she isnt remotely spooky, and just pops over anything! Grrrrr!
mad.gif
tongue.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top