Winter stress...!

[holeymoley]

I am normally so laid back that I'm horizontal. But this year I'm stressing out about Winter turnout. Our yard is at max capacity. Herds have grown to crazy sizes, fields have got wetter. YO is turning down any suggestions we give for x,y,z reasons. My options are- in with big herd(all geldings) in an acre per horse field(it won't last, it's too wet, most areas are bog or waterlogged already) also at least 4 bigger ones that will hang around the gate when they've had enough, so a high risk of getting kicked, squashed, barged at etc trying to bring horse out. Second option is to put out in small field of 2 geldings and 1 mare. 1 gelding extremely protective over the mare, it has been known to chase anything else that goes in to the point of having to 'rescue' horse out the field. I'm so stuck as to what to do. My horse is nearly 20 and won't kick, he keeps himself to himself. The smaller herd would work better all round but I can't have the risk of a huge 17hh TB chase a small 20year old pony.

Neither options are ideal I don't think I've ever really came across this at any other yard! What would you do? Horses are horses but to me, the first option is a safety issue. Second option feels like the only way out but with the potential risk to my horse.

 

[QuantockHills]

i think i'd be looking for another yard.....

 

[Polos Mum]

Assuming a yard move isn't practical I would try option one but be there to nip in and take him out if they didn't settle.

Maybe with yours being older and keeping himself to himself the dominant gelding would be OK - but I would try it on a day I could be there all the time to supervise and step in if needed for a few days.

Getting through crowded gateways is horrible !

 

[poiuytrewq]

I know you say YO dismisses all your suggestions but to me it would be a better idea sticking the big protective TB in the gelding field away from the mare and putting a few quieter more chilled horses like your in with her?

 

[holeymoley]

I know you say YO dismisses all your suggestions but to me it would be a better idea sticking the big protective TB in the gelding field away from the mare and putting a few quieter more chilled horses like your in with her?

thank you- this is the answer that has been suggested by a friend. However for some reason YO won't have any of it. It makes more sense as we could theoretically take TB out and replace with 2-3 quiet geldings. Thus reducing larger her size too.

 

[Caol Ila]

Is the big TB someone I know? If so, yeah, he can be hassle for other people getting horses out of fields. Why isn’t he with the other geldings?

 

[Palindrome]

Could the field with the big herd have a small paddock at the entrance so you can go through the gate in peace and avoid the kicking?

 

[holeymoley]

Thanks for the suggestions. Moving isn’t really an option as there’s nothing decent for miles to move too unfortunately.

Ideally I would hope that if mine keeps himself to himself he won’t bother him but it’s getting big one to understand that, I’m not sure he would settle with him even if mine kept himself to himself.

A paddock/coral area is an idea, I’ll suggest it thank you.

 

[splashgirl45]

how far away are the other yards. personally i wouldnt want to risk my older one getting hurt and would travel up to an hour to find a good yard with sensible management

 

[asmp]

Will hay be put out? As the owner of a ‘bottom of the pack‘ horse, I’d be worried in both situations that he would get chased off the hay.

 

[honetpot]

I have a Welsh A that is about twenty eight, he has often been a companion for much bigger horses, because he is able to get out of their way quickly, a small pony is often quicker and more nimble. He is currently on loan, to baby sit a young 16.2 sports horse.

 

[Fransurrey]

I'd be moving. I had a similar scenario years ago and the YO wouldn't listen. Bizarre herd arrangements in small field, no listening to any sensible suggestion. One night I couldn't get my two out of the field because the dominant mare was chasing them away from the gate and fly kicking in my face. Ended with a irate phone call from me to get the mare's owner up (and they STILL couldn't understand our concerns!). Shortly after my horse was chased through a fence. I left less than a week later to a very frosty goodbye...

 

[holeymoley]

Will hay be put out? As the owner of a ‘bottom of the pack‘ horse, I’d be worried in both situations that he would get chased off the hay.

No, thankfully no hay allowed out in fields.

 

[holeymoley]

I have a Welsh A that is about twenty eight, he has often been a companion for much bigger horses, because he is able to get out of their way quickly, a small pony is often quicker and more nimble. He is currently on loan, to baby sit a young 16.2 sports horse.

I like your thinking!