OMG what a day that was, thoughts please

maree t

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Well it was a long day so sorry but here goes............
Dog up all night throwing up so taken straight to the vets as soon as they open and she was kept in for xrays etc.
Son off to work with his dad and daughter and her friend want to go out for a ride. They tack up my daughters two ponies but the bigger one Rufus seems a bit off but not lame so decide that they will go for a walk down the road and see how he is. He doesnt seem any better so they come home , I have tacked up my sons pony in the meantime so she swaps over and off they go. I had real trouble to lead Rufus back across the field he was spinning round and shouting to the others. I put him in a small paddock next to the other pony that hadnt gone out and went and put the tack indoors. I heard a noise so went back out to check and he had jumped in with the mare and was chasing her round the field. Managed to get the mare out of the gate hoping that I could get hold of him but he didnt even have a headcollar on. He then went through the electric and out into the big field. I thought I would try and catch him and calm him down. He ran towards the gate and jumped over it and galloped off down the road. I couldnt believe that he could get over a gate that high. He went down the road , across the crossroads, up the road and into the forest. I rang my daughter and told her to head back towards me. A kind couple drove down the road and said they had seen which way he had gone and drove me there. My daughter and friend then came down the road so I sent them into the forest down the same track and and I stayed in the road warning traffic that there was a loose horse. I phoned the police as the forest opens onto a very busy road. Phoned other half who came home.Luckily the kids were shouting his name and he heard them and came towards them. They managed to undo reins and some very kind ladies came and helped and lent them some dogs leads . My son then caught up with them with a proper head collar and lead rope and led him home. He has ripped a shoe off and done a bit of damage to his hoof and is a bit sore this morning but was very lucky .
So so relieved that he didnt hurt anybody and doesnt appear to have done much damage to himself only my blood pressure !!. We have had him over a year and I have never seen him in such a blind panic. I am completely at a loss as to what got into him. We will have to put him in when the other gelding goes out in future but really worried that now he has been over the main gate he might go again. It is on a slope and a big 5 bar wooden gate he is 13.3hh. What possesed him any ideas ? we will be looking at increasing the height of the gate and the fence near the gate.
 
OMG :eek:
OMG :eek:
OMG :eek:

It is amazing what they can do when motivated :o One of mine hopped a 5 bar gate as if it was nothing, just because I said hello whilst walking to the field :o

Great to hear all those people rallied round to help you and Rufus is back home safe.

What a fright I bet you were demented.

Rufus, fancy chasing that poor mare and then running off, Santa will not be dropping off any presents to you this year ;)
 
Blimey! what a day indeed!
I'm glad he is ok and everyone else. I bet a stiff drink was needed after all that was over.
Perhaps this episode was just a one off, as you said he's never behaved like that before. You could try putting a feed down as soon as the girls hack out again se he's immediately distracted as they go down the road, then hopefully as he's not watched them leave he'll forget about it. That what we used to do with my 2 year old anyway when i rode her brother out.
Failing that if he jumps again you could alway try putting some electric fence across the date so he cant get close enough to it to jump....
Or stable him, one of mine used to frett when he was alone but shut in the stable with the top door across meant he couldnt hurt himself and he soon realised getting in such a state was a waste on eating time and settled down... and that he's friends always did come home again! and while they were away he could have the whole hay bale to himself! :)

Good luck and i hope its only a one off.
 
I think demented is the right term :D
He went through three electric fences during the time he was panicking in the field so I will be putting him in his stable next time. Dont think I could cope with that again.
Just never experienced a horse in such a blind panic like that. He goes to shows and goes out on his own no problems so what possesed him I dont know .
He gets left completely on his own sometimes and has never done this.
stupid stupid pony, he is a bit sheepish this morning and very stiff. Glad I had the physio out to him on tuesday:eek:
Couldnt have the stiff drink because we had to go and get the dog and make sure she was OK over night. Might be a drop or two this evening
 
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