What would you do? (Escaping pony)

SaffronWelshDragon

SaffronWelshDragon

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Just after some advice / guidance. I was given Rose by the lady (about a year ago) who owns the 6 acre field where Misty and Saffron live. 5 mins walk up the road lives Penny, who was alone, so this is why we took Rose on.

We've never had a problem with the fences with Penny, but Rose has always escaped at one time or another. Recently this has turned into an almost daily occurance whereby she escapes into our neighbours field (who has horses). Rose is 5 years old and currently in season (which seems to have lasted weeks!) Over the weekend my parents put up a new post and rail fence, which she still managed to escape out of. I'm at my wits end. Last night I retrieved her from the neighbours field, and moved her to Misty and Saf - didn't know what else to do with her. Of course after being chased around she went straight under the electric fencing into the main field (lush grass) - so she can't stay there more than a couple of days.

I had made a decision in my mind to ask the owner to take her back - whether or not she will is a questionable - otherwise I will have to give her away to someone else. This morning I spoke to my (younger) sister about it who just said 'we're not getting rid or her'.

What would you do in this situation? I just want a quite companion pony to keep Penny company, I didn't want all this stress! Bear in mind also that where Penny lives is my friend's field - I don't pay to keep her there, so I can't expect her to pay for fences, and I really can't afford to pay for any more fencing. Moving Penny to Misty and Saffron isn't really an option due to Penny's laminitis.

Sorry for the long post, but it's been on my mind all night
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Forgot to add...if she's going under the electric than its not tensioned enough I'd have thought. Buy more posts and have them closer together and make sure its well tensioned at either end
 
Can you not get some chicken wire to fill in the fence - between the rails? Or even that plastic mesh, just make sure its small enough holes so hooves cant get stuck. Im sure it must be quite cheap.
 
My dartie is a escape artist in the winter, when she a) doesn't feel there is enough grass (which there isn't and b)cos her work load reduces so she gets very bored. So with her she either has extra hay or toys to play with (the treat ball is her favorite).

If not what about some stock fencing?
 
Run a couple of electric fence wires below the rails to keep her in. I had a yearling that used to duck under the wire - a real pain. I ended up getting the fencing standards that allow you to put up several lines of fence. The only other option is to hobble her - a bit drastic but will at least prevent her from getting laminitis.
 
if she's only 5 is there any reason why she couldnt have a job???
could u maybe find a confident child to have a play on her to occupy her mind and get her to think that field time is rest time and work time is fun time?!!!!
good luck tho escaping ponies/horses are a nightmare mine jumps the fences electric or otherwise!
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Quick Update
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I was very close to speaking to her previous owner last night, but when I turned up at Saf and Mist's, Rose was happily grazing with them, and I didn't have the heart. For a temporary measure we're going to run a second line of electric tape along all the current electric fence posts. Of course this doesn't solve the issue of Penny not having a companion, but I'm going to make a point of bringing her down to the yard as much as possible and making a fuss of her.

Rose has definately had a personality transplant since coming into season. She's also the youngest mare I've ever owned. Not sure when horses actually become fertile, but she's acting as though she's so hormonal she doesn't know how to handle it. Keeps squirting at Saffron (mare) who's very insulted! I wonder whether this is the first time she's come into season, as she didn't seem like this last year.

Regarding her workload, I work full time, so you probably know how difficult it is to fit horses in around work. Saffron is my highest prority in terms of work, then Misty. Rose is 9.1hh and not broken in, and although I think she would make a good scurry pony, I don't have time to break her in
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Anyway, I may try her with a bridle and saddle if I get time, and see how she goes.

Thanks for all your suggestions
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I'm going to keep her where she is for the moment so I can hopefully have a break from her escaping for a while.
 
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