Problems leading a horse in from his field

[dneale]

Hi My daughter and I have a Selle Francais x TB. She is in her second year at uni and I think this might be why he has started to mess about - if that is possible. He is great in the stable and, although lively when ridden, does not present any dangerous behaviours. However, it all goes wrong when he is being led in from the field - not always but often. They are in individual fields but surrounded by other horses. Certain things are known to set him off - being last in, other horses charging round their field or high winds. He is fine going out to the field but seems to get silly excited coming in to the point of being dangerous - especially when services are needed. He is not being ridden as much as when my daughter is home. Can anyone suggest what might be going through his head and what we can do to make him safe. He has been on a calmer for a few months which seemed to work but clearly is not now. Thanks

 

[splashgirl45]

i would cut his feed right down if he is not being ridden so much. lots if horses dont like to be last in and also other horses galloping about in the windy weather would affect many horses as well. i would also put a bridle on with a lunge rein and wear a hat so you can get some manners sorted out but still stay safe..

 

[Pearlsasinger]

I, too, would cut the feed right back, just give him hay and maybe plain hay cobs or similar. I used to own a TBx mare who was horrendous to lead back to the yard after a day in the field. She was as sweet as anything to take out in the morning. Eventually we found out that she reacted to the sugars and cereals in her feed. She had to be taken off all hard feed. It could be that the is hungry after a day outside and is racing back to his stable in the expectation that there will be something to eat there.

 

[Ginger Bear]

I’ve got a 20 yr old Tb & all of the situations you have said about would set him off most winters & he definitely would not be ok in an individual field even with others around him. Even now, after owning him for over 10 years, I don’t always turn him out if windy & I can’t leave him out last or even one of the last during winter... summer time he’s a different horse.... & he’s actually a very level headed horse to handle & ride... there’s just some things he doesn’t like. Like the post above advises, I’d wear a hat, use a lunge line & maybe ensure he’s one of the first brought in.

 

[L&M]

Cut out all hard feed, bring in first, and lead either in bridle or control halter - I find the monty Roberts 'dually' works well on my cob if in one of those moods!!

 

[doodle]

Wind, being last in and horses galloping about would all set Robin off too and quite understandably. So I think you are being unfair to the horse. That said I still expect a horse to have manners while I am leading him. I have used a dualities with very good results. All the horses are keen to get in at bring in time at the yard.

 

[Lurfy]

Is it you who is bringing her in and turning out or people who work at the yard? What is it she is doing, pulling away, rearing or just on her toes? In any case I would use a bridle to lead her and turn multiple circles on route. As she improves reduce the number of circles. It worked for my tb, good luck.

 

[twiggy2]

There will be a reason he is worse when services are needed, I would suggest they get him in first or even ten minutes earlier.
I would train him with a Dually as I would rather others handles him in that than possibly be a bit rough with a bit in his mouth. Also I would get a long lead rope 12 ft or so to be used to and from the field, he would then be lead to and from the field in a Dually and long lead rope all the time.
I would also cut out hard feed and look for a loaner or pay someone to ride, if this behaviour has happened since a reduction in work then increasing the work makes the most sense as he sounds like he needs it to keep him happy.

 

[Green Bean]

I will go against the tide for feed. You haven’t said what he is on so this may not be the issue. Some horses are just more sensitive than others and can be a bit unpredictable. Reduced exercise could be a factor as some horses need regular work to stay sane. My horse gets uppity if other horses walk alongside her in their paddock when she is being taken out or brought in. Not every time but it depends on the day. Hers certainly isn’t a feed issue

 

[dorsetladette]

Is he feed in his stable once he is walked back from the field? is the feed already in there waiting for him? Can he see the feed being put in his stable? Can he see the yard from his paddock?

If he's on reduced exercise, probably reduced turnout this time off year too? maybe cut out evening feed if that is causing the issue. Just a nice big net of hay for the evening. (or how ever you feed it)

In the interim I would suggest you fashion up a bridle that is easy to get on and off for the yard staff to use on the days you can't get there for a bit of safety.

 

[scribble]

Cut feed and use a chutney along with his head collar. lead off the headcollar with a lead rope off head collar and one off chiffneynand if he starts being a tit the chimney comes into play but if not it just sits quietly in his mouth.

 

[muddy_grey]

My mare is being a total plonker to bring in at the moment. She is always a bit silly in winter but this year is worse than usual. I use a lunge line at the moment but have used a chifney in the past. Not an option at the moment as she just had a tooth removed. She is always 2nd to come in (can't be 1st due to field position) which does help.

 

[dneale]

Is it you who is bringing her in and turning out or people who work at the yard? What is it she is doing, pulling away, rearing or just on her toes? In any case I would use a bridle to lead her and turn multiple circles on route. As she improves reduce the number of circles. It worked for my tb, good luck.

Is he feed in his stable once he is walked back from the field? is the feed already in there waiting for him? Can he see the feed being put in his stable? Can he see the yard from his paddock?

If he's on reduced exercise, probably reduced turnout this time off year too? maybe cut out evening feed if that is causing the issue. Just a nice big net of hay for the evening. (or how ever you feed it)

In the interim I would suggest you fashion up a bridle that is easy to get on and off for the yard staff to use on the days you can't get there for a bit of safety.

It’s a long trek to the stable and his food is never given to him until he is inside. I have now cut his feed following all the suggestions. Turnout is still pretty good - he gets at least 5 or 6 hours unless we get really bad rain. I will try the bridle idea as well. Unfortunately I can’t lead him because I am still recovering from falling off a friends horse!

 

[dneale]

Thank you so much for all your help. It is so unlike him. Spoke to the vet today who seems to think it is a behavioural issue that needs a strong hand to get him out of a learned response to coming in. He has got away with it a few times and thinks it’s ok. Anyway trying lots of different things now to see if it makes a difference.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

It’s a long trek to the stable and his food is never given to him until he is inside. I have now cut his feed following all the suggestions. Turnout is still pretty good - he gets at least 5 or 6 hours unless we get really bad rain. I will try the bridle idea as well. Unfortunately I can’t lead him because I am still recovering from falling off a friends horse!

Have you actually seen what is happening for yourself?

 

[dneale]

I went down yesterday with an experienced handler and he allowed his head collar on and then pulled back to rear up but she didn’t allow him. He tried this a few times and then walked out ok. I know he has also broken away from his loaner whilst being led in - rearing up and charging off, bucking.

 

[AmyMay]

I went down yesterday with an experienced handler and he allowed his head collar on and then pulled back to rear up but she didn’t allow him. He tried this a few times and then walked out ok. I know he has also broken away from his loaner whilst being led in - rearing up and charging off, bucking.

Sounds like he simply needs a little experienced and no nonsense handling.

 

[Leandy]

Certain things are known to set him off - being last in, other horses charging round their field or high winds.

Sounds perfectly normal to me. How competent is the loaner and the people handling him? To be honest I would be really cross if others are just letting him get away with being silly, they need to take more control and be firmer, every time. Then it will likely stop.