Turning in/out safely?

[CJess]

Hello, I'm in desperate need of some advice to avoid being kicked when taking my gelding out. When I turn him out i have to go through a big field to get to his one. IN that field there's three horses two of which kick, but the mare is obsessed with him. She follows him and constantly kicks him. She kicked me in the stomach aiming for him. I'm now PETRIFIED of going into the field. I don't sleep thinking about it and am all out of ideas. I've taken an extra lead rope and swing it round, i try to keep walking but its difficult when she's coming from all angles and has almost got me another couple of times. Its even more difficult when she goes on the other side of him as i cant see her and she kicks him in the stomach pushing him into me too. I'm scared for myself and his safety. Any ideas of how to stop this? Thank you in advance.

 

[HeyMich]

That sounds really unsafe, I'm not surprised you are scared! Is this on a livery yard? I would be having a serious chat with the YO/YM, explaining the situation, asking them how they expect you to turn out or bring in safely. If it's a business, they have responsibility over your safety and welfare, and it's simply not acceptable the way it is.

If it's not a livery yard, and your own horses, the you need to think about fencing off a safety strip allowing access to the far field.

Please, don't put yourself in danger.

 

[ihatework]

Well quite frankly you need to sort out safe turn out pronto - whoever manages the yard should arrange this with the field layout. You need to speak to them.

General options are to change fields or to section off the access to yours to keep the other horses off you. If yard is not accommodating then move.

 

[9tails]

This is a crazy situation. You cannot be expected to risk life and limb crossing an already occupied field with unruly horses every day. Is this a shortcut to your field or the only access? If this is the only access, get a path put in with electric fence so you and your horse are safe. Alternatively find somewhere that isn't so crazy.

 

[HashRouge]

As everyone else has said, this is an absolutely nuts situation. Are you on a livery yard? If so then the YO/ YM needs to create a safe passageway with electric tape so that you can turn your horse out without and danger. Alternately, they need to provide you with alternate turnout that doesn't involve crossing through a field full of loose horses. Equally, if it's your land, then please do the same. If the YM/YO will not accommodate this despite the fact you have been kicked then move elsewhere pronto. There is no other solution to this problem - you can't train loose horses not to approach yours. Some will always be absolutely fine, but clearly the horses in this field are not and you should not be expected to put yourself/ your horse at risk.

 

[CJess]

That sounds really unsafe, I'm not surprised you are scared! Is this on a livery yard? I would be having a serious chat with the YO/YM, explaining the situation, asking them how they expect you to turn out or bring in safely. If it's a business, they have responsibility over your safety and welfare, and it's simply not acceptable the way it is.

If it's not a livery yard, and your own horses, the you need to think about fencing off a safety strip allowing access to the far field.

Please, don't put yourself in danger.

Thank you, yeah I had a word with the owner of the horses and explained i was kicked which she apologized for. She then said sorry as she seen me the next day taking him out and getting attacked by her horse again. She said i can bring hers in for her whilst I take mine but I don't have time for that and the mare is dangerous. She said she will put them out a little later so I can get there before so i have to get up extra early in the mornings and still have to go through on weekends with the mare there. 2 others have been kicked by the other horse but they all just kind of accept it? She's fixated on my boy though and I'm scared for both of us.

 

[CJess]

Well quite frankly you need to sort out safe turn out pronto - whoever manages the yard should arrange this with the field layout. You need to speak to them.

General options are to change fields or to section off the access to yours to keep the other horses off you. If yard is not accommodating then move.

The yard is overall very helpful as I'm a first time owner but they all say the same thing off 'it wont always be this hard' I'll end up breaking a rib or worse if it continues. I'm scared to even ride as I don't want to bring him in.

 

[CJess]

As everyone else has said, this is an absolutely nuts situation. Are you on a livery yard? If so then the YO/ YM needs to create a safe passageway with electric tape so that you can turn your horse out without and danger. Alternately, they need to provide you with alternate turnout that doesn't involve crossing through a field full of loose horses. Equally, if it's your land, then please do the same. If the YM/YO will not accommodate this despite the fact you have been kicked then move elsewhere pronto. There is no other solution to this problem - you can't train loose horses not to approach yours. Some will always be absolutely fine, but clearly the horses in this field are not and you should not be expected to put yourself/ your horse at risk.

Yeah that is a good point thank you, two other women have been kicked by the other horse in that field I don't know why nothing has been done sooner?

 

[CJess]

This is a crazy situation. You cannot be expected to risk life and limb crossing an already occupied field with unruly horses every day. Is this a shortcut to your field or the only access? If this is the only access, get a path put in with electric fence so you and your horse are safe. Alternatively find somewhere that isn't so crazy.

Its the only access unfortunately. Its through two huge fields that the horses are in so its like a 5 minute walk with the horses going mental. Can barely get to the gate. I've been getting to the yard extra early/late to avoid them but its really getting me down and I'm not enjoying owning a horse atm.

 

[CJess]

Well quite frankly you need to sort out safe turn out pronto - whoever manages the yard should arrange this with the field layout. You need to speak to them.

General options are to change fields or to section off the access to yours to keep the other horses off you. If yard is not accommodating then move.

Also, that pic is literally me with this mare

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

That's bad they should make some sort if walkway with electric fencing so you can walk safely, failing that can't you swap fields so the aggressive horse has to be walked through the first field it might solve it for now but they really need a different set up.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

It's not acceptable to run a yard this way more accidents happen with horses when bringing them in and out of fields, I would move yards if they are not willing to accommodate you so your safe

 

[CJess]

Thank you, I will ask her see what she can do. I was thinking the same but was nervous to move as I'm a first time owner and they're all really helpful. Its just the field situation, I'm not sure how they all manage. Her excuse is because my gelding is new, i expect the odd nip or kick but this is constant and no getting rid of her.

 

[FourLeafClover]

Can you swap fields with her?

 

[9tails]

Her excuse is because my gelding is new, i expect the odd nip or kick but this is constant and no getting rid of her.

Horses are fragile, one kick can be a death sentence if it gets a joint. We're all fairly experienced and none of us are saying this is just one of those things that you have to get over and it will get better. It won't, it's a disaster waiting to happen. I would never lead a horse through a field with a loose horse, let alone one that's intent on kicking. Your set up sounds so unprofessional, get out before you're no longer a horse owner.

 

[CJess]

Thank you, will speak to the owner this weekend see if they can do electric fence if not i'll have to move.

 

[CJess]

Can you swap fields with her?

My horse is in a field with about 4 others so they're wont be enough grass. I think the horses in that field are bad tempered because there isn't enough grass there, its all just mud from them running after other horses. The owner has had to put hay out for them now, and I don't think they get fed in the morning.

 

[CJess]

That's bad they should make some sort if walkway with electric fencing so you can walk safely, failing that can't you swap fields so the aggressive horse has to be walked through the first field it might solve it for now but they really need a different set up.

The field there in isn't sufficient enough they shouldn't be in it really, there's 4 of them in there and barely any grass just mud. They've been putting hay out for them too.

 

[Equi]

Remind them their insurance will not cover them if they are putting people in danger and not willing to rectify it, and a personal injury claim against them would be quite high! You have proof here that you have an issue and have asked for a solution. Yes people have to take horses with a knowledge there is risk but when a clear risk is identified and ignored that’s different.

 

[CJess]

So I just spoke to the owner and she told me to speak to other people and sort it myself somehow? I told her I will have to move yards if not and she said it will happen everywhere ?unbelievable.

 

[9tails]

Speak to other people and sort what yourself? If she means taping off a walkway, then depending on how far you need to go it may not be that expensive. If she means finding ways of fending off her offensive mare, then she's a total numpty and shouldn't have any liveries. Leading through fields doesn't happen "everywhere", I've never come across it and would never even consider it.

 

[CJess]

Yeah shes saying the electric tape wont stop her but she expect me to just go through anyway? Saying there will be someone to help I shouldn't have to ask someone to follow me everytime I put him out.

 

[AmyMay]

I’m afraid I’d be moving pdq.

 

[BeckyFlowers]

If this were me, I would be looking for a new yard immediately but in the meantime if an electric fence walkway isn't feasible, I would be walking my horse along the fence line (horse next to fence) and I would be taking a lunge whip with me and I wouldn't be afraid to use it! Sounds awful for you.

I had my horse in a restricted pen over the summer, which involved me going through the main paddock. It was fine (including me wheeling my wheelie with food and hay through) as all the others left me alone, but a new one was introduced in late summer. One day he came running down towards me as I was wheeling through and wouldn't leave me alone, and wouldn't really get out of my way. I was actually quite frightened, even though he wasn't being nasty, so next day the lunge whip came with me. I didn't have to whack him with it because he turned tail after a few warning cracks and he has left me alone ever since. Not an ideal situation, but I've made it work. If a lunge whip helps keep you safe then use it. But, OP, in your situation I would be moving ASAP, as your yard doesn't sound helpful, especially given you've already been kicked.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Look for another yard! That is a ridiculous situation. If YO has been notified about the mare's behaviour, she will definitely be held responsible if there is a serious injury to either horse or owner. Not that that will help you if you are in hospital with broken bones.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The field there in isn't sufficient enough they shouldn't be in it really, there's 4 of them in there and barely any grass just mud. They've been putting hay out for them too.

Makes sense really because they are probably hungry and some hungry horses will turn on other horses, one if my horses if not given enough hay in winter in the field will have a go at my other one.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

You ideally need someone to catch the mare and hold her while you get through but it's bloody dangerous I think I would keep my horse in until I found a better yard, be careful don't put yourself at risk by walking through this field everyday.

 

[KittenInTheTree]

Horrendous situation, and completely unacceptable. I would keep mine in until I could move to a sensible yard!

 

[PurBee]

Wow...what a situation. I think youll find plenty of yards dont expect you to cross the valley of hades just to turn your horse out!

what a YO! You’ve got to solve the unsafe logistics on HER yard?

i hope you can move yards easily...that sounds best. The electric fence idea is good only if it has a real belting shock on it, and the aggressive horses are used to it also...otherwise that could make the situation worse.

In the meantime, take a lungewhip with you...make sure your horse is desensitised to it being cracked near him, ( even practice using it as you would in a safe place before using the method in the field)
you get between him and the approaching horses and you’ll have to aim in at the space of the approaching mare....really give it a crack in that space toward her before she gets close. You can create a 10foot safe bubble around you and your horse with a lungewhip.
im yet to meet a horse who’ll walk into a fast cracking long whip.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Op I feel really bad for you this is highly unfair and dangerous and is impacting your enjoyment of what should be a really exciting time for you. It makes me cross on your behalf.... ?
Find another yard, this is not the norm and it won’t be the same everywhere because most yard owners want their clients to be kept safe.
Sorry your going through this