WWYD? Hacking alone but only two horses in field so one would be left alone...

[sandi_84]

*POSSIBLE STUPID QUESTION ALERT!*

Ok some of you may already know that my mum and I have recently moved off a yard to our own field. We only have two horses and mum works most of the week and I go away on the weekends to see my OH so there is only 2 days in the week where we could hack together.
My mum isn't a confident rider and unfortunately her pony is pretty forward going, is known to jog and has (according to her sharer - who now unfortunately for us has her own horse and doesn't share anymore) occasionally bucked (although she's never done so with me or mum) so until mum gets more confident that means that any hacking we do will probably be with me on her pony and mum on my laid back lad. Now I don't have a problem with riding her pony so don't get me wrong and I'm happy to let her ride my boy but I want to ride my lad too but this would mean hacking out alone.
We used to hack out alone at our previous yard so I've no concerns about him or myself but I do worry that now it's just the two of them in the field mum's girl will go nuts if I take him away and leave her There is no stables in our field so I can't put her in a stable (not sure that would be a good idea even if we did? moot point though), but there are horses in the field next door (across a single track dirt road) that she can see but not touch.
There's no space in our field to dedicate for a school and we don't just want to use one of the sectioned off areas as one because we don't want to ruin our grazing. Also there's not really an area that would be flat enough to use as a school.
I've not tried it yet as I'm out of action with torn ligaments so am unable to ride atm but when I'm able to I really want to get back on and go out. If she does become stressed should I put him back in the field or continue on? Really not sure what to do
I'm going to speak to mum about her getting another sharer but untill then I'd appreciate advice on what to do about this situation?

 

[piebaldsparkle]

Try with someone at the yard to call you back if she gets too stressed, looks like she may injure herself.

If she won't be left perhaps you could ride and lead?

 

[Kallibear]

The pony will be upset when her friend goes out but they learn to cope.

She might be ok from the beginning and just call a couple of times, or she may go ballistic

She can be taught to accept it too.

Give her a small feed by the gate as a distraction and take her friend out the field. Walk him away a little and stop when she notices but BEFORE she gets in a tizz. Wait until she's completely calm and lost interest (and gone back to eating her dinner) and take him back. Repeat many many times, going a little further each time. You eventually want to be out of sight then extend the time she's alone. You also want to reverse the roles.and take her out too. It will take a couple of weeks but is well worth doing properly as its a lesson she'll remember for life.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

It's a common problem with just 2 horses. Have you thought about getting a shetland as a companion for the horse left behind? Be aware though that a shetland may need different summer management from your existing 2 plus still needs teeth, feet, worming etc etc etc.

 

[sandi_84]

Try with someone at the yard to call you back if she gets too stressed, looks like she may injure herself.

If she won't be left perhaps you could ride and lead?

We're no longer on a yard, it's just us and our new field so there's no one around to call me if she gets upset I had thought about that but tbh I'd rather not as she's a lot faster than my boy is and likes to be in front and I think she could be a bit difficult to control whilst being led from another horse

The pony will be upset when her friend goes out but they learn to cope.

She might be ok from the beginning and just call a couple of times, or she may go ballistic

She can be taught to accept it too.

Give her a small feed by the gate as a distraction and take her friend out the field. Walk him away a little and stop when she notices but BEFORE she gets in a tizz. Wait until she's completely calm and lost interest (and gone back to eating her dinner) and take him back. Repeat many many times, going a little further each time. You eventually want to be out of sight then extend the time she's alone. You also want to reverse the roles.and take her out too. It will take a couple of weeks but is well worth doing properly as its a lesson she'll remember for life.

I'll give that a go for sure! Thank you

It's a common problem with just 2 horses. Have you thought about getting a shetland as a companion for the horse left behind? Be aware though that a shetland may need different summer management from your existing 2 plus still needs teeth, feet, worming etc etc etc.

No, we really don't want another 4 legged friend 2 is more than enough for us, I can't afford a second and mum doesn't have the time and probably wouldn't be too keen on forking out for another either
If my one of my sister's two come back from loan (on loan because she's prolapsed her vertibrae ) we're going to have a field companion but it's unlikely as their loaners love them and they plan long term loaning. If both of them have to come back for whatever reason they'll only be staying with our two short term as we have space for 3 at a push but not 4.

 

[smellsofhorse]

It depends on the horses.
How they are attatched and how they react.

If its a bit of calling butstood and still eating comtinue your ride.
But if horse is have a head fit, galloping round etc, then you will have to come back.

Even though other horses can be seen sometimes this isnt enough.

Could you give other horse a feed or some hay to dostract them atleast for the inital leaving the field?
Sometimes stables are the seafest option, but i know this isnt an option for you.
May a very small stable sized area could be use so horse can gallop around?

But they may be fine and not botter.
It totallt depends on them and how they cope and react!

 

[luckyoldme]

Im with Kalllibear on this one. When i was in that situation i took mine out of the field for a feed and a fuss every day. I started this a couple of weeks before i started riding again. The one in the field got less and less stressed till eventually he barely noticed his friend was gone!

 

[FfionWinnie]

For 17 years I was ruled by my horse not being left in the field alone. When she was 18 I got tough. Funnily enough after 5 minutes carrying on she was absolutely fine! Now I make sure all of mine can be left alone and do so regularly.

I disagree a companion is a good idea as my current ones still carry on if their special pal is taken away despite me having 4 I just keep leaving them alone as regularly as possible and they accept it.

 

[Littlelegs]

I'd do it exactly how kallibear has said too.

 

[Pinkvboots]

I keep two alone but have stables, one of mine will stay in the field quite happy the other one will jump out, so I agree get someone to stay with the pony while you ride to see how it goes good luck.

 

[sandi_84]

I'll enlist a friend's help and I'll try a small feed for a while as we walk up the path. I'll see how it goes and see if I can't get further and further away without her panicing.
Thanks for the help guys as always!

 

[Passtheshampoo]

I've had 2 horses on my own place for last few years. Unlike quite a few friends who are dictated to by their horses and are unable to ride out alone I just take one out of the field and go. It's easier if the length of time they are separated is gradually increased. Yes they'll whinny and be a bit unsettled but once they know their friend comes back they get used to the idea.

 

[Brightbay]

The pony will be upset when her friend goes out but they learn to cope.

She might be ok from the beginning and just call a couple of times, or she may go ballistic

She can be taught to accept it too.

Give her a small feed by the gate as a distraction and take her friend out the field. Walk him away a little and stop when she notices but BEFORE she gets in a tizz. Wait until she's completely calm and lost interest (and gone back to eating her dinner) and take him back. Repeat many many times, going a little further each time. You eventually want to be out of sight then extend the time she's alone. You also want to reverse the roles.and take her out too. It will take a couple of weeks but is well worth doing properly as its a lesson she'll remember for life.

Exactly this ^^^^

Strangely, when we had two in the field, both were fine to be left - they are pair bonded and very secure in it, so they know confidently that their best pal goes out but always comes back. We used the approach Kallibear describes (at this time of year the one left got a big pile of hay). When we had three, it was no longer possible to leave one! Go figure
We have 4 in the field now - much easier

 

[Archangel]

I've had 2 horses on my own place for last few years. Unlike quite a few friends who are dictated to by their horses and are unable to ride out alone I just take one out of the field and go. It's easier if the length of time they are separated is gradually increased. Yes they'll whinny and be a bit unsettled but once they know their friend comes back they get used to the idea.

Yes this, when you return don't make a big fuss of the one that has been left as this sort of reinforces the worry. One of mine jumps out and follows so he has to be supervised for a few minutes.

 

[Sukistokes2]

I have no choice, my young horse has to stay on his own since my other horse was put to sleep. Its that or not ride. I have tried him out and in the stable. He was calling at first and ran about a bit but then settled to eat the hay. I think if you worry to much and make too much of it you are making a rod for your own back.
good luck

 

[Suechoccy]

I've always had 2 and always left one behind. (the one left behind has been 3 different neds over the years).

Trick is habituation, little and often. Going out and leaving one behind must become a Normal thing, not an Extraordinary thing.

Tack up the riding ned, have your OH or a friend stay at the field with a book to read, then as you lead riding ned out of field, OH can drive left-behind-ned away from gate if necessary and plonk a dish of food (you prepared earlier) on the ground and a pile of hay to distract it.

Go for 10 mins. come back.

Repeat every day. Penny will drop with left-behind-ned that
1. I get fed everytime he goes out
2. He always comes back

Once penny drops, you don't need OH but can get out on your own as you plonk food down, then lead riding horse out of gate, and you can go for half-hour or a half-day or a whole day, and know that other ned is content.

You'll get lots of whinnying and charging round when you arrive home the first few times too. This usually dissipates to whinnying and a trot to the gate and eventually to a whinny from far side of field where leftbehindone is busy grazing.

;-)

 

[horserugsnot4u]

I would try it and see, preferably with someone keeping an eye on the one left behind just in case it does something really silly. I had this issue with my two and the first time, the one that was left behind went mad for all of five minutes and then was more interested in eating than running around. One was even left for a few days with no trouble, when the other had a stay at the vets. A very happy and mad reunion though! I always think if they have a run around when left then at least they are getting some exercise as well, just so long as they really don't do anything dangerous. All you can do is try it and take it slowly if there are serious issues.

 

[AmyMay]

Perhaps moving from livery wasn't such a great idea.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I've always had 2 and always left one behind. (the one left behind has been 3 different neds over the years).

Trick is habituation, little and often. Going out and leaving one behind must become a Normal thing, not an Extraordinary thing.

Tack up the riding ned, have your OH or a friend stay at the field with a book to read, then as you lead riding ned out of field, OH can drive left-behind-ned away from gate if necessary and plonk a dish of food (you prepared earlier) on the ground and a pile of hay to distract it.

Go for 10 mins. come back.

Repeat every day. Penny will drop with left-behind-ned that
1. I get fed everytime he goes out
2. He always comes back

Once penny drops, you don't need OH but can get out on your own as you plonk food down, then lead riding horse out of gate, and you can go for half-hour or a half-day or a whole day, and know that other ned is content.

You'll get lots of whinnying and charging round when you arrive home the first few times too. This usually dissipates to whinnying and a trot to the gate and eventually to a whinny from far side of field where leftbehindone is busy grazing.

;-)

this-I have 3 geldings of different ages. all can be left on their own either in yard or field. when I get a new one, this starts straight away.

 

[mandwhy]

My horse goes berserk for about 5 minutes while one of the neighbours takes out their horses, even though there are always at least two neighbouring horses still there, she canters up and down the fence line but to be honest I'm not that worried, she is stressy but I don't think it does much harm, its basically while she can still see and hear the horse coming or going around the corner, she settles after that. So I would do what Kallibear suggested and just do short periods building up.

I wouldn't want to leave her for a really long time though like going to a show. Maybe you could also take her out for a short walk or something on her own so she understands what is going on when the other horse leaves? Maybe giving their brain power a little too much credit but I think it works!

 

[sandi_84]

Perhaps moving from livery wasn't such a great idea.

Unfortunately had to I was starting to get mucked about by the YO (long story which I don't want to go into as I don't want to bad mouth anyone) Me and mum just decided it would be easier and less stressful to just go it alone, no one but ourselves to rely on so no one could muck us about with money or our horses care. Also as an added extra bonus it turns out it's cheaper to keep both our horses on the field than it was for mum to have just her mare at the yard

 

[Skippys Mum]

Im with Kalllibear on this one. When i was in that situation i took mine out of the field for a feed and a fuss every day. I started this a couple of weeks before i started riding again. The one in the field got less and less stressed till eventually he barely noticed his friend was gone!

Yep, I'm another one who needs to be able to leave one horse alone for a while while I ride or have lessons or whatever on the other one.

From getting Arnie as a foal I have always spent time getting him used to being alone - a minute or two at a time and building up but I now have aquired a wee old man of about 30 who didnt do being left alone. This was fine till my wee sec A died and things had to change. I had to get pretty tough with Shannon - yes he called and ran around but he soon started to realise that Arnie was always coming back and gradually I started being able to leave him longer and longer. He still shouts for him now but he has stopped running around stressing. I used to take Arnie out the field and then feed Shannon in it so it was actually a pleasant experience when his buddy went away. It can be done - it just might take a bit of time and patience and a few buckets of extra dinner

 

[Rose Folly]

Ride one, lead one? I've got a shoulder problem so can't do that any more, but I used to ride and lead a lot (quiet country lanes and indeed across fields). I got quite adept at opening gates etc. with the two horses, and they loved it. One was an LDR horse being kept fit, and I used to canter all round the friendly farmer's land - but he was a horse who led quite beautifully, with his nose by your leg, and never pulled or trailed.

 

[sandi_84]

Ride one, lead one? I've got a shoulder problem so can't do that any more, but I used to ride and lead a lot (quiet country lanes and indeed across fields). I got quite adept at opening gates etc. with the two horses, and they loved it. One was an LDR horse being kept fit, and I used to canter all round the friendly farmer's land - but he was a horse who led quite beautifully, with his nose by your leg, and never pulled or trailed.

This has been suggested to me but it wouldn't really be a viable option, my mum's pony would make a total menace of herself ha ha!

 

[Gucc]

Perhaps moving from livery wasn't such a great idea.

So just how exactly is this helpful? So many people have offered good useful advice and then you come along with a response like this......you have no idea of the OP's reasons for leaving livery and neither is it your concern. It amazes me why people bother to comment when a) not helpful and b) unnecessary

 

[Gucc]

I rent a field with just two and I posted about this same problem last year. I have done as suggested and taken one out for short periods and built this up so although my youngster does notice the other horse is going without her she settles relatively quickly but always makes a fuss when we return.

 

[MagicMelon]

I was going to suggest stabling the other when you go out - this is what I intend to do when I begin hacking one of mine (and leaving the other in the field on its own) but Im getting stables built to combat this!

I'd try hacking out with your mum watching the other horse, see how it acts. Maybe it'll be fine and you don't have to worry at all. If it goes nuts then if you dont have a stable, only thing I can think of is to either fence off a small corner of the field (highly fenced with electric tape so cant jump out) or even better is to get some 6ft high steel fencing panels (the kind builders use for blocking off building sites etc.) - they're brilliant, I used them arranged in a stable size for a new horse who kept galloping about or jumping fences...! So put your other horse in that when you go out, with lots of hay to keep it occupied. Cant think of much else you can do?!

 

[Skipadeedooda]

I agree with Kallibear, teaching them to be on there own will be the best thing you will ever do for you and them. Just have to be safe and sensible about it. When I got my youngster as companion for the older boy, my friend moved her horse back home and I had the same issue and I just started slowly. Taking them in and out of field independantly, riding the older one in the field next door. I started off that I could only hack if husband groomed youngster in stable (she loves being pampered). Then he started grooming her in field while I was away and I just built it up until she was ok in field without him.

If you can get your mum to help you and make it a nice experience for the horse left behind and call if there is an issue then you'll be able to ride out with confidence the other horse is ok. Yes they will probably run around and neigh but as long as they aren't charging fences/threatening to jump etc it will start to get better. Good luck and do persevere.

 

[sandi_84]

Thanks to everyone who's posted me some suggestions, it's definitely given me the confidence that it can be done (was imagining worst case senario where I wouldn't get to ride my lovely boy for months and months ) I'm definitely going to try doing what Kalibear and the others that agreed with her suggested just as soon as my back is healed enough for me to handle any fidgets from either of them - as I expect there will be
Cheers guys, you always come through!

 

[HashRouge]

I've had to work on this with my mare since moving to my new yard. There are other horses there, but she shares a field with just my sister's gelding and they need to be used to being separated as I care for and ride both of them atm. Before the snow I had done a lot of work getting my mare used to being on her own (she is worse than the gelding) but today was the first day I've managed to ride in weeks so I wasn't sure how she'd be on her own. I asked my YO about putting her in a different field just while I rode, so that she'd be near to the other horses (could touch them over the fence if she wanted), then I tied a hay net up for as an extra distraction. When I turned her out she went straight to the hay net and started stuffing her face, and was still happily eating when I checked her before leaving for the ride! The final part of my ride was along a bridleway from which I could see the field, and when I saw her (before she saw us!) she was still munching happily so obviously hadn't been too bothered. When she spotted the gelding she did whinny and run up and down the fence line a few times, but she'd eaten most of the hay in the net and had looked fairly settled before she spotted him, so I'm very pleased. I've found the most important thing is providing a suitable distraction. We have stables, although the horses are out overnight when possible. Now, my mare can get really silly if she's left in her stable when I ride the gelding, twirling round and doing very impressive piaffe at the door BUT she is much better if out and near to the other horses (even though she hates them!). However, atm she still needs a net of hay as an extra distraction, which is fine by me if it keeps her calmer. So be aware than food can be a very useful bribe! One thing that really helped me was having my sister around over the Christmas holidays, because I could supervise my mare while she rode. I would do things like a short lunging session when they first left, then take her back to her stable for a good fuss and some hay. She is better out though, and today was a huge improvement and showed me how much progress we have made! They will get there if you're patient and give it a chance to work