Turning out a lively horse

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elliepony123

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My horse is very lively when I turn her out in the field - any advice? She is a 6 year old mare turned out in a paddock next to 3 geldings. Dare not put her with one due to she might kick!! She bounces along leaping about - worries me to death. After a mad dash round and a chat to the boys over the fence she then settles on her own really well. How do I calm her down and get some manners? She is full TB.
 
Use a bridle to turn her out. I've spent most of the summer having to bring my lad in in one. Makes life so much easier when they are being prats!
 
LOL.. if you find a way please tell me!!!

I let Ted go, turn around and walk away..

He's recovering from a tendon injury and if i watched him id be panic stricked!

Lou x

ps.. turn her out with the boys.. she will settle witht hem once they have sorted a pecking order!
 
Is there no way you can turn her out 24/7 or at least more? That way she wont find it all so exciting because if she's been cooped up in a stable you cant really blame her. Or try turning her out with an older chilled out horse?
 
Defo try her out with a friend, the chances of a nasty kick are slim unless there is a known bully in the field!

I wouldn't worry about her leaping around in the field, there is nothing you can really do to stop it. My 22 year old Arab still takes the odd fancy to galloping away from the gate (generally when it's muddy, funny that!) and goes crazy in the field, it's the joy of having ahot blood
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She's a horse and that's what they like to do. She's enjoying herself. If she's not hurting anyone/herself i would say leave her be! If she's behaving like that when you're on her then that's another issue. Let her vent her excitement/exuberance in the paddock - it's the best place to do it.
 
Turn her out using a chifney, turn her back towards the gate and make her stand before letting her off, and then let her do her own thing.

I spend most of the winter with mine on a chifney but more coming in than going out!
 
Please don't use a chifney I heard of a horrendous injury caused by one a "be nice" headcollar will do the trick - excellent for strong pullers too. They are about £25.00
Just introduce it when she's calmer and walk her forward say halt or whatever and you stop quietly, she will walk into the pressure and halt, do this several times so she knows how it works then pop it on in the mornings to take her out. Never tie up using this headcollar. It really gives you the upper hand without any nasty risks and works for all types even youngsters. It is very easy to put on & take off - even if the horse is a bit sassy. If I didn't have a "be nice" a bridle would be my next choice.
Bear in mind her liveliness could be anxiety or overfeeding. Doesn't take much with a TB. You could even give her a drop of rescue remedy in a treat or nut a few minutes before to calm her.
 
does she actually mess around on the way to the field or just when shes in there, if its just when shes in there i wouldnt worry about it theres not alot you can do once you have let her off the lead. if its on the way to the field id use a chifney, my stallion used to mess around all the time on the way to the field, a chifney put a stop to that and now i can put him out with just a head collar and lead rope beacause hes learnt to behave. .
 
I turn my youngster out using a chain clipped onto opposite of headcollar over nose and through the opposite ring. I then attach a long lead rope to it. It works wonders and having a long lead rope means you can get out of the way of flying legs if necessary. Since using this I haven't had a problem. However she is normally out 24/7 and gets up tight when left in. She has to be in 24hours on sat for worming so that will be a test for her!!!
 
Try this, simple things 1st(if turning out with headcollar), hold noseband with right hand, keep, your elbow up and dig it into her neck, right in the muscly bit, that way, you have control of her head, and where the head goes, the body has to follow! I my 1st pony had a habit of turning and running off, the daughter of the woman who owned the yard showed me this and it worked with him, also my mare used to be quite difficult to turn out when she was a baby, doing this meant that at least she went where i wanted!
 
Thanks for all the advice. Only gives me a worrying time on the way to the field. She can do what she likes when she's in it. Not sure re chiffney as delicate in the mouth. Just leaps up and down on the spot etc. Does not help that geldings usually are shouting to her!! Treats help eg apple when leading her out - is that a good idea? Not being overfed - she is on a high fibre diet and out all day long. However before she was kept on a yard with very restricted turn out time.
 
Well, if the problem's when leading then maybe try an Eskadron chain headcollar. I have just bought one for mine as he's lovely but can be a sod at barging and b*ggering off when the mood takes him (quite often). For a long time I have wrapped a rope round his nose everytime when leading but saw this headcollar and, as not expensive as the leather ones (got mine for £22) thought would give it a whirl. Well, have had 2 or 3 occasions where he's tried his usual 'trick' (one being tonight) and it has stopped him completely!

It works in a similar way to stallion chains I think (mine used to be led in stallion chains when he was at college) but is a lot simpler and is just a normal soft headcollar when the chain is not put into play. So, if the leading's the problem then I would certainly recommend one!
 
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Treats help eg apple when leading her out - is that a good idea?

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Sorry I misunderstood your first post, I thought she was just being a loon in the field
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I wouldn't be giving her treated on the way to the field, the only way she should be able to earn a treat is by standing still when you ask (and I mean completely still for as long as you please)

If you're going to use any sort of control halter you should spend a little time in the school with it first. It give her the opportunity to recognise that she can't mess about with the halter on. I use a dually halter but a be nice would be equally as good. If you can't afford that then a rope over the nose might suffice but won't be as useful for schooling before hand.

You need to be patient and expect to take a while getting out to the field, make her walk at your pace not pulling, when she pulls or leaps or runs sideaway or does anything that makes you feel out of contol you must make her stop and wait until she is willing to stand with you (it can take ages before they settle, expect tantrums galore!), then continue, it might be that she then leaps away immediately. Stop again and wait until she has calmed right down and is willing to face in the direction you are going without messing about. If she's a smart mare she will qucikly learn that she's slowing herself up by leaping around and just walking next to you is the fastest way to the field. Hope this help, might be worth wearing hat so she can't head butt you if she gets in a right strop about it
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Thanks a lot for the advice. What exactly is a be nice headcollar? Excellent advice re the lead to the field. Think often I am so worried that I rush things to get it over with and need to take my time re manners. Also see what you mean re treat. Not to have it until we are there and standing nicely. That could take a little time to achieve, but I'll give it a go.
 
You could try one of the string halters (the ones with the little knots in) the theory is that because its thinner the horse has less to pull against and its more uncomfortable if they do.
 
Thanks everyone for the advice. Forgot to mention her colour CHESTNUT!!!!!!!! Perhaps that's the problem!! Only kidding, nothing, against chestnut mares.
 
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Please don't use a chifney I heard of a horrendous injury caused by one

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This doesn't have to be the case at all, you just have to be repectful and use it with common sense.

My horse has nearly killed me while wearing a be nice halter and yet is perfectly controlable in a chifney,so they are not always the answer.
 
Tried some of the advice today. Made her wait on the way to the field when silly and also then wait for the treat in the field. So much better - Thank you all. Sixteen hands of chestnut mare on your toes is not nice.
 
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Tried some of the advice today. Made her wait on the way to the field when silly and also then wait for the treat in the field. So much better - Thank you all. Sixteen hands of chestnut mare on your toes is not nice.

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Glad to here it! I'm sure she'll settle down eventually, though she is a chestnut mare, I have one therefore I can judge
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