sick of worrying- do not know what to do

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251libby

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My pony who is perfect in every way apart from this is worrying me to an early grave.

This is the first year shes started doing it and now it's fast becoming a habit.
The fencing in my field is post and rail and it's low (only about 3ft6 in places :S) pony has realised if she jumps out she can graze all along the sides of the fields where the lush grass is and then when someone goes to catch her she buggers off until they get a bucket of feed. But will come straight over to me and is great to catch for anyone when shes in field. I honestly belive she know exactly what shes doing and the more she does it the worse it becomes. The first day she did it she jumped out and walked down to her stable and waited outside to be let in, and now it's become a huge issue. I sit at work and stress about it.
She was my reason to get up in the morning and I would sit at work and look foward to going up there afterwards, but now I honestly am dreading it....and thats not what horses are about. I made my poor boyfriend go up there a day last week and I couldn't face it.
I know people have worse troubles but the money I spend and time I waste is really getting me down.
I am at a competition yard so as you can imagine the problem is escalated by this. Also adding to it is the fact we cant put electrics up and there is hardly any grass in the field.

I am planning to move, going to look at a small yard tonight where I would share a field with only 1 other person AND they have high fencing AND I could put electrics up! But feel like giving up compleatly and it's the first time since having horses I have felt like this. Even when I first got my pony I didn't feel like this and she was awfully behaved.

I dont really know why I am posting this really, I have no one to talk to seriously, people at the yard find it funny as the little fat pony is jumping the fence and family aren't really horsey so just dont get it and how dangerous is could be.
I guess I'm just looking for someone to tell me it's a good idea to move somewhere more suitable, or give me a kick up the arse to shut up and just get on with it.

Any stories, advice, abuse welcome.

And pimms for those who get to the end!
 
Confused about some of this post.
Why can you not put electric fencing up?
Why does it being a competition yard make it worse?
Who are the people who are not horsey?

Rather than stressing about it, you need to sort it out. It is down to the yard to ensure that your horse is in a secure environment, and if this means you putting up electric fencing, then they have to allow you to do this.

And I am at a loss to understand why you can't visit the yard because your pony jumps out of a field. That one really has me stumped!!!

You need to explain the problem more clearly!
 
Know how worrying this can be, my mare sometimes runs through / goes over her fencing, I think just to prove she can! After she has done that then she bucks and farts around as she is so pleased with herself!!
I think your current yard isn't being very helpful. You need to find a solution and if there aren't able to help or allow you to do that then I'm afraid I would move yards. Although I understand that yards must put rules in place, their main aim is somewhere safe to keep your horse. If your current yard doesn't enable you to do that, then I would be looking at a move.
Don't get down though, sounds like pony is having a naughty laugh at your expence. Get moved and get on with enjoying your pony.
 
How about putting hay in the field for the minute? She's obviously jumping out as you say from the lack of grass in the field, so replace it with hay and see if she stays in?
 
Ponies! who'd have'em?

Seriously though... it sounds like she's telling you something, and from what you've said you're doing something about it. I think you're doing the right thing in looking for somewhere with better fencing/field options. It probably has become a habit, but it's also probably one that can be solved with a bit of electric fencing.

Don't worry too much unless she is trying to cause herself problems. If she's just hopping the fence and eating or going back to her stable then she's reasonably sure of herself. :)
 
If its stressing you so much and there i no solution at your current yard then the best thing to do is move you pony.


Ponies are little devils and so clever!

Beware of moving somewhere with just one horse though as they may get attached then when one gets ridden the other could get stressed and you may find yourself with an escaping pony again!
 
Thanks for all your replies, really appritiated. I think as you guys say it's best to move.

FMM, to answer your questions.
Can't put electric up or put hay in the field as rule of the yard- there are alot of horses in a relativly small field so I can understand as there would be more troublesome than it's worth.
I probably didn't explain the situation of the yard very well. I called it a competition yard and said that was more problematic when actually I meant it's a massive yard with alot of horses, busy all the time so having a pony loose on the outside of the fields is dangerous. And the not horsey people are my immediate family :) hope that helps
 
"Beware of moving somewhere with just one horse though as they may get attached then when one gets ridden the other could get stressed and you may find yourself with an escaping pony again!"

Already coverd :) she'll be sharing with one other but there will be horses in field next door and oposite and she doesn't care if by herself.
 
FMM said:
Confused about some of this post.
Why can you not put electric fencing up?
Why does it being a competition yard make it worse?
Who are the people who are not horsey?

Rather than stressing about it, you need to sort it out. It is down to the yard to ensure that your horse is in a secure environment, and if this means you putting up electric fencing, then they have to allow you to do this.

And I am at a loss to understand why you can't visit the yard because your pony jumps out of a field. That one really has me stumped!!!

You need to explain the problem more clearly!
Click to expand...

I think I see the problem. Some yards are more concerned with the aesthetics of the view rather than the practicalities of safely enclosing livestock, I imagine this would be enhanced on a competition yard if it is all about how things look for (potential) clients. They especially won't like electric fencing!

And I can kind of get the sense of dread at what one might find when visiting the yard in the evening - where is the horse going to be and what did it do today?

There is only one answer, and that is to move ASAP
 
"And I can kind of get the sense of dread at what one might find when visiting the yard in the evening - where is the horse going to be and what did it do today"

Exactly!
 
Echo the above. Find yourself a nice little yard, that allows you to put up electric fencing and chuck some hay in either a net on straight into the field when you need to...

My liveries, I let them do what they feel is necessary (Well, that doesn't go against the original rules, like no kids in the individual paddocks when the horses are in in case they get booted etc!) and they can fence off the paddocks more if they feel the need....blah blah blah...

Works well for all, if they need more, they ask, and we discuss any problems, and work around them. It's the only way it DOES work, and the 3 liveries I have tell me their horses haven't been this calm on a yard before, and are thriving!
 
I completely understand, a week ago brought a windsucker into the field who is also a complete escape artist.

I worry all night about what damage he might of done to the fence over night, so rush to get to the field first to repair any damage & get up there first in the evening to check what he has been up to during the day.

Last week was very stressful, but luckily a stronger battery on electric fence he is now where he should be morning & night. I am hoping the wind sucking might calm as he settles more.

Moving is your only option at the end of the day you need to do something to break the habit & it sounds like that yard is not willing to help you do that.
You will start to enjoy things again when you are not worrying about what cheeky pony might have done next.
 
Thank you all so much, really glad we're all on the same page.
Keep your fingers crossed that the yard I look at tonight will tick all my boxes :)
 
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