Veteran pony reluctant to go out

[Whittler01]

Hiya just looking for some advice.
I have a pony who is approx 30/31 years old....because of the bad weather all the horses on the yard had no turnout and stabled 24/7....last couple of weeks we have been allowed to turn out again unless we have loads of rain and all was OK. The last few days I have had issues where pony didn't want to go out, would try to go into his stable instead of out of the barn, plant himself refusing to move forward and pull round to go back to the stable when we are nearly at the field. So I have been letting him have his way and kept him in for the last couple of days. Today, I got him to the field, but he was kicking at the gate after I closed it, barging around and really not looking best pleased.
He did have company, and I only turn him out if he has company so I know its not because of that. He is out with various ages and they can be a bit boisterous but he never seemed to have a problem. Although he has a bite and some patches where hair has been pulled.
So I suppose what I am asking, is if I am being to much of a whittler? or do older ponies get to the point where they prefer being in or any suggestions on getting past this refusal/reluctance to turn out

Sorry for the longish post

Thanks

 

[AmyMay]

It’s probably due to the fact that his field is not a quiet, safe space for him. And his stable is.

 

[Whittler01]

It’s probably due to the fact that his field is not a quiet, safe space for him. And his stable is.

I have wondered this and thought about asking for a separate section to see if this helps

 

[meleeka]

I think they get to a point where they don’t feel safe with young, boisterous horses. I’m guessing it’s not that he wants to be in, but he doesn’t want to be in the company of those that he feels threatened by. The herd dynamics will all have to be sorted again if they’ve been apart, so it’s probably more stressful than it used to be.

I think asking for a separate bit is a good idea for now. If you could put him in with another old or quiet horse that would he even better.

 

[Gloi]

I agree with the others that he is probably frightened of his field companions now he is not as agile as he was and would prefer to avoid conflicts.

 

[shortstuff99]

Yes mine when they were elderly only wanted to go out by themselves or with other elderly. They also made it clear they didn't want to be out in bad weather anymore ?

 

[Whittler01]

Thank you everyone, I do appreciate your input. I am worried that I am over reacting or reading too much into why he is doing this. I of course don't want to keep in him every day, but just don't want myself to be stressing over him being out when the signals I am reading is that he does not want to go. I am going to ask for a section of the field temporarily for him so he can still see and be part of the herd, and see how it goes for a couple of weeks then see about how he reacts being put back in with them after that. It could be the others are being more boisterous then normal as they are excited about having turnout again and poss a bit too much for my boy, but thank you again ? x

 

[meleeka]

Thank you everyone, I do appreciate your input. I am worried that I am over reacting or reading too much into why he is doing this. I of course don't want to keep in him every day, but just don't want myself to be stressing over him being out when the signals I am reading is that he does not want to go. I am going to ask for a section of the field temporarily for him so he can still see and be part of the herd, and see how it goes for a couple of weeks then see about how he reacts being put back in with them after that. It could be the others are being more boisterous then normal as they are excited about having turnout again and poss a bit too much for my boy, but thank you again ? x

Whether it’s logical to us or not, I don’t think it’s ever over reacting to listen to your horse.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Owners really do need to bear in mind when horses have been out of the normal herd routine, that every horse has to find its own place again and that elderly and medically unfit horses will struggle to do that. They need to be gradually reintroduced to the herd in the same way that a new one would be introduced.

 

[ester]

I think you are doing the right thing giving him a separate section, I think they can feel pretty vulnerable with a lot of other younger, boisterous (having not been turned out) horses.
When mine was 24 and 100% in himself. He was turned out with a 5 year old for a bit, he tolerated but did find him a bit tedious! Much preferred being out with fellow oldies.

 

[Gloi]

It was sad to see my pony as he got older lose his place high in the ranks and move right down the pecking order. I would have moved him from the group if he had shown he no longer wanted to be with them, but he still had his best friend oldie he palled up with.

 

[Whittler01]

So have just arranged he will have a paddock to himself for a couple of weeks then try him with the rest of them and see what happens. I feel very relieved ? x

 

[Flowerofthefen]

So have just arranged he will have a paddock to himself for a couple of weeks then try him with the rest of them and see what happens. I feel very relieved ? x

My horse wont go out in winter, his choice. It always takes weeks to reintroduce him back to the field. Starting from an hour and building up slowly. We are now at the point of being out all morning. He turns himself inside out if I just stick him back out.