Yearling to be separated from field mate over winter..

daisydoo

daisydoo

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I'm in a bit of a predicament my 16 month filly has been living out with one other yearling since I bought her 8 months ago but the farmer wants to rest her fields so my girl will end up in a pen with access to a stable from oct-march. I really hate the idea of her being on her own even though she'll have a gelding in the pen next door it's not the same as being able to Intetact is it. I'm worried she'll end up neurotic! I really dont know what to do, move her, or see how she copes, I even thought of getting a goat but is that fair on the goat in a pen, no forage. I'd rather not move her because of her age, she is settled but im worried how she'll cope. Anyone else been in similar situation with a youngster? Thanks x
 
I would say she needs company for sure to interreact. Where is the other youngster going? Could you team up with them even if it means moving yards? To me the company would be more important than a stable or barn for shelter, although I reallise this wasn't you choice. You can always rug her if she is just turned out 24/7. I would find a herd of youngsters elsewhere, otherwise you risk having a bolshy and bored youngster.
Good luck!
 
If she can touch the gelding next door, I think she will be fine. However, at her age, as she cannot be worked will she have enough room in the pen to exercise?
 
She may be happy and settled now, she may cope with being in all winter but it is not ideal, a young horse needs to move properly to grow physically and have company.
If she was going to have no turnout for 5- 6 months I would move she should settle down somewhere else and a little upheaval now will be so much better for her in the long term.
 
I agree, I know I can't have her alone all winter it's just such a shame she can't stay with her field mate. The other yearling is having a small part of field sectioned off for her so she's not just stuck in her stable. I'll try again and see if my girl can have some time every day with the other one otherwise I'll move her, I answered my own question really and don't really want to just wait and see! Thanks x
 
Hmmm I'm very hands on, i am up twice a day taking her for walks and would give her time each day in the perimeter of the fields which are safe to put a horse to graze etc so she can roam etc. the farmer was her previous owner and will be very upset if I move her but I'll just have to deal with that!
 
The farmer wants to rest her fields and is adamant, she even keeps her 3 horses in every winter. As said I'll try again and speak to the other yearling's owner as I know she agrees with me.
 
The thing is that it is a critical age for your youngster to have that interaction iwth others. You cannot reclaim that time and once your youngster becomes bored/bolshy etc it's too late.
My 2 yr old was on his own for 2 weeks as his companion had an operation and he was climbing the wal metaphorically speaking. He is so happy now he is out with a mate who puts him in his place and plays with him. All vital groing up stuff.
Good luck!
 
daisydoo said:
the farmer was her previous owner and will be very upset if I move her but I'll just have to deal with that!
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That's the key word. If he wanted to guarantee her being kept with him he shouldn't have sold her. She is your horse, you are in charge of her care/welfare. If you don't think it's suitable (which it certainly doesn't sound like it) then you move her and be happy with the fact that he welfare is paramount over some hurt feelings.

Good luck.

Pan
 
The farmer wants to rest the field but a horse (but not yours!) gets to stay out in the field? Frankly that makes zero sense, either they all come in or not really!
 
The bit to be sectioned off is just a bald dust patch really, no grass grows there, so just the corner of the paddock by the gate and the stable is within that area as well.

I hate confrontation but I'll have to do it. Last time this lady sold one of her foals the new owner took off and just left the farm blanking her ever since, she keeps retelling the story and keeps telling me that she knows I'm different and wouldn't just do that etc, so it won't be easy, she may blow or may just go cold, not sure but it will have to be done... I'm a straight up person so will give her notice so I'm just hoping she'll be reasonable as I do like her.
 
I wouldn't really want to keep any horse like that, but especially a youngster who needs company & freedom. Unless I could keep out at least all day with company, I'd move.
 
littlelegs said:
I wouldn't really want to keep any horse like that, but especially a youngster who needs company & freedom. Unless I could keep out at least all day with company, I'd move.
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Thank you, thats what I think, if a compromise cant be reached I'll have no choice but to give notice and look elsewhere.
 
Your worried about what the former owner thinks if you leave? Who cares. Former owner should be delighted new owner is doing her very best for the filly she bred. So what if she bad mouths you.

I know a few big operations in Europe and Ireland that have youngsters living in big herds inside with outdoor pens. They seem to cope but they have company. They can play and rough house. My youngsters have either lived out all winter in company or out all day no matter what type of weather and in at night. Now my last baby who is now 2, had to make due with older company. However, she is the most adaptable baby I have. Her company is a broodmare and my riding mares. She's used to horse's training, leaving, coming back ect. My youngest riding mare is a great playmate to her. It's actually been the best of both worlds really. She can come in on her own to get stuff done or hang out on her own if that situation arose. But I don't like any horse on their own, not just youngsters.

Just have a think but it's not ideal. You know that. Best of luck

Terri
 
I'd really consider moving if the farmer won't budge... That's a long time for any horse to be kept in especially a youngster. Last thing you want is boredom/ frustration etc leading to behaviour issues.

IMO every youngster should be out in company with those their own age, if not living out 24/7.

Hope you get it sorted :)
 
I agree with the others, you need to move this youngster. I know some people are happy to restrict horses and keep them in, even youngsters. I don't agree though and, as others have said, this is a crucial part in their development and they need that proper interaction with other horses and need the freedom to be able to run and test themselves.

I bought a 15mth old a couple of years back and he'd been with his owners and the other horses since he was 6 mths. He settld in to our herd fine though (well, after appox 5 weeks of being in a separate paddock/being mixed in gradually with the less mean horses!! :) ).

He is now 3 and has come on leaps and bounds I think. He is confident and has established his place in the herd and a lot of his time is spent grooming and playing with the others. he has also learnt to run downhill after his first attempts when we got him which ended up with him on the deck! (not fun to watch be he chose to do it!!). Ours have 12 acres split in to two fields of 6 acres and there are 5 of them. He loves being able to have a good run and i wouldn't have it any other way.
 
Equilibrium Ireland said:
Your worried about what the former owner thinks if you leave? Who cares. Former owner should be delighted new owner is doing her very best for the filly she bred. So what if she bad mouths you.

I know a few big operations in Europe and Ireland that have youngsters living in big herds inside with outdoor pens. They seem to cope but they have company. They can play and rough house. My youngsters have either lived out all winter in company or out all day no matter what type of weather and in at night. Now my last baby who is now 2, had to make due with older company. However, she is the most adaptable baby I have. Her company is a broodmare and my riding mares. She's used to horse's training, leaving, coming back ect. My youngest riding mare is a great playmate to her. It's actually been the best of both worlds really. She can come in on her own to get stuff done or hang out on her own if that situation arose. But I don't like any horse on their own, not just youngsters.

Just have a think but it's not ideal. You know that. Best of luck

Terri
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I know, I know, I'm way too sensitive! My girl is the PREVIOUS owners 'grand daughter' as she calls her as she still has her mum and grandmum....but she did sell her to me and I am doing the best for her, she cant argue that eh! I'm lucky to live in a village with countless liveries and farms within walking distance so finding somewhere very short notice if needs be wont be a problem, I can walk her to her new field!
 
Perhaps speak to the farmer and ask if there is a way she can have turnout with another as you and she are happy there and really don't want to have to move. Farmer then has a choice of turnout for your filly or knowing you are very likely to leave if its not given.
 
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