kirstie
Well-Known Member
My horse spent the winter on box rest, has been diagnosed, treated and given the thumbs up for turnout and to come back into work. She first went out in a small paddock next to another horse for a few days to get her used to going back out but she was a bit anxious in the paddock by herself so I decided to put her back out in the main mares field. They had just moved to the summer field, it's a lovely big field with good grass and she has always loved it in there. Got her acclimatised to the grass over a few days and she then went on to full day turn out from 8am-6pm. I was having to trudge up the field to bring her in, no problems whatsoever for 2.5 weeks.
On Saturday I received a phone call from a friend at the yard that she was very stressed in the field and pacing up and down the hedge line closest to the yard up and down to the gate. I rushed to the yard as this was very out of character for her. She was a hot, stressed foamy mess, so I brought her in.
2 main differences that I could think of. One of her closest buddies had gone to a show for the day so wasn't in the field. A new young horse had gone out, though they seemed perfectly happy with each other when they were introduced.
After the show her friends owner decided to change her horse to night turnout. Thinking my horse was possibly missing her, I too swapped her over. She went out Sunday night no problem and I arrived Monday morning to find her curled up in the field snoozing with 3 friends, very happy and relaxed. Great, I thought.
Monday night she went out and I tootled off to dinner with family. 8.30pm phone call from friend at the yard, horse is pacing again and in a state. I rushed up there in the piddling rain and tried to settle her in the field. All other mares settled. No joy, wouldn't settle so I brought her in. Took t/o boots off and she had a nasty cut on inside of fetlock through boot. Looks like she has struck herself rather than a kick. Young mare had also changed to nights but no issue between them noticed.
Have had to keep her in until yesterday due to the cut. Put her out last night. She galloped up the field to the other mares. Said a quick hello, head down to graze for a min or 2 then she was straight back down to the gate and started pacing again, walk, trot and canter. Left her for a bit, wouldn't settle. I ended up bringing her in as she was in such a state. I think if I left her all night she'd carry on all night. As soon as she is out of the field she calms right down. Am very worried about leaving her too it. Have had a horrible 7 months of worry with her- I really want to avoid an injury if possible.
I free schooled her this morning in an arena to de ping and stretch legs so I can ride later. Mildly noticed she was favouring the side of the school closest to the yard but didn't think too much of it. Finished and went to catch her- she then started pacing in the arena as she does in the field. Walk, trotting and cantering along the side closest to the yard. Took 15 mins to catch her. Not like her at all.
I have had her for 7 years and has never been like this. She normally loves the field and is the dominant mare in the herd. Summers she is always out at night and usually thrives.
Sorry for such a long post but I'm struggling to work out what is wrong and am baffled. Any experiences welcome...
On Saturday I received a phone call from a friend at the yard that she was very stressed in the field and pacing up and down the hedge line closest to the yard up and down to the gate. I rushed to the yard as this was very out of character for her. She was a hot, stressed foamy mess, so I brought her in.
2 main differences that I could think of. One of her closest buddies had gone to a show for the day so wasn't in the field. A new young horse had gone out, though they seemed perfectly happy with each other when they were introduced.
After the show her friends owner decided to change her horse to night turnout. Thinking my horse was possibly missing her, I too swapped her over. She went out Sunday night no problem and I arrived Monday morning to find her curled up in the field snoozing with 3 friends, very happy and relaxed. Great, I thought.
Monday night she went out and I tootled off to dinner with family. 8.30pm phone call from friend at the yard, horse is pacing again and in a state. I rushed up there in the piddling rain and tried to settle her in the field. All other mares settled. No joy, wouldn't settle so I brought her in. Took t/o boots off and she had a nasty cut on inside of fetlock through boot. Looks like she has struck herself rather than a kick. Young mare had also changed to nights but no issue between them noticed.
Have had to keep her in until yesterday due to the cut. Put her out last night. She galloped up the field to the other mares. Said a quick hello, head down to graze for a min or 2 then she was straight back down to the gate and started pacing again, walk, trot and canter. Left her for a bit, wouldn't settle. I ended up bringing her in as she was in such a state. I think if I left her all night she'd carry on all night. As soon as she is out of the field she calms right down. Am very worried about leaving her too it. Have had a horrible 7 months of worry with her- I really want to avoid an injury if possible.
I free schooled her this morning in an arena to de ping and stretch legs so I can ride later. Mildly noticed she was favouring the side of the school closest to the yard but didn't think too much of it. Finished and went to catch her- she then started pacing in the arena as she does in the field. Walk, trotting and cantering along the side closest to the yard. Took 15 mins to catch her. Not like her at all.
I have had her for 7 years and has never been like this. She normally loves the field and is the dominant mare in the herd. Summers she is always out at night and usually thrives.
Sorry for such a long post but I'm struggling to work out what is wrong and am baffled. Any experiences welcome...