Tips on keeping them occupied in the field?!

scoobydoo11

scoobydoo11

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It should be an easy thing to do- they’re horses after all! However, my mare has become increasingly uninterested in being in the field recently and has stopped eating as much when she’s out too, which worries me for obvious health and well-being reasons! So I’m looking for ideas or things you have tried to keep them occupied/get them to eat! Points I should mention:
  • shes turned out during the day, in at night
  • Same yard for 5 years now and has lived alone in recent years and months with no issues
  • She is in the field by herself (not ideal, would love a companion as last one was sold by owner but not enough stables now and would hate to leave it out on its own at night! (There’s very little shelter) but she can see the others (all geldings who she won’t live with!). Lady who owns the place also won’t let me have a sheep or two in the field with her either!
  • Worked 5-6 x a week in lots of different ways in fairly hard work too
  • All up to date with vaccs, teeth, physio, farrier, vet everything!
  • Have tried various things so far such as feeding breakfast in the field, hanging treats off of the fence, treat balls, bouncy balls!!
  • She’s very happy to be in the stable, eats all her haylage, gets down for a roll/nap!
It has gotten to the point where she tore the fence apart this week pawing at it, she stands at the gate all day waiting to be brought in again! Ideas welcomed!!
 
scoobydoo11

scoobydoo11

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SEL said:
Treat ball, swede, small piles of hay scattered round?

Does sound like she needs company though. They don't all settle on their own.
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I did think about adopting a rescue pony from a charity (I cant really afford to buy another but could afford to keep something low maintenance) but im not sure charities would accept me because of the lack of shelter in the field and the inability to bring it in. The other answer would be to put out an advert wanting one, but again im not sure id want my horse in a field with no shelter 24/7 and by itself at night!
 
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Pearlsacarolsinger

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scoobydoo11 said:
I did think about adopting a rescue pony from a charity (I cant really afford to buy another but could afford to keep something low maintenance) but im not sure charities would accept me because of the lack of shelter in the field and the inability to bring it in. The other answer would be to put out an advert wanting one, but again im not sure id want my horse in a field with no shelter 24/7 and by itself at night!
Click to expand...


If the yard you are on can no longer meet your horse's needs, the obvious answer is to find a different yard. That is one of the advantages of livery over keeping horses at home, you can easily move to somewhere that works better!
 
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Flowerofthefen

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I'd bring in. My horse hates being out this time of year. I've tried all sorts. He is happiest in. He currently has 2 hours turn out before I go to work then exercised in the evening. He flat out gallops round the field actually screaming to be brought in.
 
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