Turning Out issue

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Moody27

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Does anyone have any ideas which can help with my current issue.
I have a 16.2 ,15 year old warmblood mare ( I’ve owned her for 10 years and have had horses for over 25yrs) .
The problem is when turning her out . We are on a livery yard with plenty happening around us and she’s always been flighty. I have always taken her to the field with a fieldsafe headcollar underneath one which gives me more control ( dually type) . She has recently begun to pull back and go up when we get to her field resulting in her running off with her headcollar and lead rope attached ( dangerous I know) it then takes me at least 20mins to be able to get close enough to remove the dually and rope. She has done this periodically usually when in season so maybe it’s just her hormones at this time of year. She has had all the regular checks ( teeth, back etc) and nothing has shown up. My problem is she will not be caught if she gets away from me and I realise this is dangerous for everyone. We do groundwork and she is respectful of my space , I have practiced backing her up, not always going straight to her field , not turning her out but walking her in hand instead , making her stand at the gate until she’s calm , facing her towards the gate before releasing her , standing at her shoulder to release her and I feel like I am running out of options . I am 56yrs old and not a novice horse owner.
 
whirlwind said:
Bribery I know (and not something I usually do but worth it for an easier life occasionally!) but mine wait for a treat after having their headcollars off and now it’s a habit they won’t leave until they’ve had them 🙈
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Its only bribery if it comes before the behaviour 😉 but yes, a reward is the easiest way that comes to mind.

The last yard I was on almost ruined my pony to turn out by just letting theirs loose to run off and kick out, I started getting complaints she was doing the same 🙄 but unfortunately nothing I could do as she wouldn't dream of leaving my side until she got a kiss on the nose and a sweetie.
 
AmyMay Again said:
Just lead her in a head collar with a soft, unclipped rope that slips away if she gets away from you.
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That won't help if the mare won't be caught after she's got away!

I would *reward*, not bribe, her for walking politely, every few steps to start with, keeping her attention on you until you have got her through the gate, turned her to face the gate, taken off the halter etc, with a last treat over the gate. You can soon reduce the frequency of the rewards. I stop them to give the reward, so that they are concentrating on me, each time, then set off again, always walking at the shoulder, if necessary with a schooling whip held in front to stop the horse rushing.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
That won't help if the mare won't be caught after she's got away!

I would *reward*, not bribe, her for walking politely, every few steps to start with, keeping her attention on you until you have got her through the gate, turned her to face the gate, taken off the halter etc, with a last treat over the gate. You can soon reduce the frequency of the rewards. I stop them to give the reward, so that they are concentrating on me, each time, then set off again, always walking at the shoulder, if necessary with a schooling whip held in front to stop the horse rushing.
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That's the whole point. She doesn't need to be caught if she gets away. The rope slips safely away.
 
I think AM means rope threaded through the head collar ring so if horse pulls away it's just loose in a head collar in the field.

Obviously field safe head collar /old leather one would have to be used and it goes without saying that if the animal is going up, hat and gloves are must haves.
 
smolmaus said:
Its only bribery if it comes before the behaviour 😉 but yes, a reward is the easiest way that comes to mind.

The last yard I was on almost ruined my pony to turn out by just letting theirs loose to run off and kick out, I started getting complaints she was doing the same 🙄 but unfortunately nothing I could do as she wouldn't dream of leaving my side until she got a kiss on the nose and a sweetie.
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She’s turned out on her own with ponies in fields not far away , I try to either turn out before the other liveries arrive or later in the morning once other horses are already out and quiet . I will reward her nice behaviour .
 
AmyMay Again said:
Just lead her in a head collar with a soft, unclipped rope that slips away if she gets away
FieldOrnaments said:
I think AM means rope threaded through the head collar ring so if horse pulls away it's just loose in a head collar in the field.

Obviously field safe head collar /old leather one would have to be used and it goes without saying that if the animal is going up, hat and gloves are must haves.
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I wear my hat and gloves and she’s in a fieldsafe so those things are in place , I will try the slip rope method whilst working on the other advice give. . She’s a big horse and I need to keep myself safe as I care for her mostly on my own .
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Moody27 said:
She’s turned out on her own with ponies in fields not far away , I try to either turn out before the other liveries arrive or later in the morning once other horses are already out and quiet . I will reward her nice behaviour .
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Is she pulling away to run in the direction of other horses? Would she do better with a settled field companion to model good behaviour?
 
AmyMay Again said:
That's the whole point. She doesn't need to be caught if she gets away. The rope slips safely away.
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So what do you suggest if the behaviour escalates and she gets away on the way to the field? The unclipped lead rope will mitigate her running round with a dangling rope but it won't correct the behaviour so imho would only be a temporary measure and isn't something I would advise.
 
I used to ride a warmblood that did the same! I would always go with a carrot or two, he’d get a bite as we were walking and I made sure he was focused on the carrots, got the rest when the headcollar was off, that pretty swiftly stopped the issue and he was fine after that.
 
Moody27 said:
She’s turned out on her own with ponies in fields not far away , I try to either turn out before the other liveries arrive or later in the morning once other horses are already out and quiet . I will reward her nice behaviour .
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Is there any way to change this and get her some company? I suspect this is the root of the issue and any management of the problem behaviour is just going to be papering over cracks.

I am all for rewards but a carrot can only help so much if the problem is that she feels alone and unsafe.
 
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