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Post by happy1 on Feb 14, 2018 11:51:22 GMT
HELP!!!!!Ok so I have a rising 4 year old youngster that has lived out in a herd since he was 8 months old. The time has come for him to come in to start his ridden career, but the yard owner has said that he will have to go out in a field on his own on limited turnout. For some reason they think he will be a firebreathing dragon. This is giving me cause for concern as he has never been on his own, he doesn't kick and I'm concerned that he will just panic. The trouble is there are very few places I could move him to. Am I worrying about nothing? What would you do? Its going to be hard enough for him coming into a stable, let alone having no friends.
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Post by oldschooler on Feb 14, 2018 14:28:55 GMT
Can appreciate your concerns and I don't think there is an easy answer. I believe that it depends very much on the horse's character. I have a rising 5 year old who came out of a herd as a 3 year old and was extremely happy to live on individual turn out straight away. However I have others who would need a lot of work to help them to settle in the same situation. Would your horse have neighbours within sight? This makes a big difference. I can understand the yard owner having a reluctance to put a new equine into a group, if there is any trouble it will be in the first hour, and a kick can be significant. If your horse will live in a stable in isolation then you are part way there, and I think this must be the first step. I think you could be worrying unnecessarily, if he is in a field adjoining others he could be perfectly happy. Unfortunately you will not know until you try, but good fencing is imperative. I wish you all the best whatever you decide but remember horses are very adaptable, but that doesn't stop us worrying about them.
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Post by happy1 on Feb 14, 2018 15:01:06 GMT
Thank you for your opinion and I pretty much agree, once upon a time it was the norm to have all new animals on a yard in isolation for a set period, sadly no longer the case. Also sadly the reasons behind their decision are not based on good horsemanship, but that they think that he might kick or he might barge at the gate or he might cause damage and they think he is of less value. Sadly they are very ignorant and its useless trying to explain to someone that knows everything that despite him always being submissive, horses are horses, accidents can happen. If fact they will happily and on many occasions bring everything in and leave one on its own, saying well they have to learn! Even though by doing this, it resulted in the death of a horse that panicked and went through the fence. This is my main issue, as I perfectly understand if they are doing it for the welfare of the horse. I would never expect anyone or want them to handle a youngster until I am satisfied that it knows how to behave. The way I was told made me initially very angry, however I have calmed down a touch and decided that until I try, I will not know how he will behave on his own. the fencing is good but if he panics, theres not much I can do other than to try and avoid a situation in the first place.
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Post by oldschooler on Feb 14, 2018 16:47:16 GMT
Can see why you are concerned. Extremely bad practice to leave one out on its own, especially a vulnerable equine. This situation does take a solid character to keep calm. You could be right in believing it is because of their misplaced view on value, that would concern me. Your horse is very valuable to you. Horses do "learn", but you do have to be fair and give them a chance. I do wish you a satisfactory outcome, it is a pity there is nowhere more suitable. Good luck, though to be honest you shouldn't be needing luck.
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Post by gillwales on Feb 14, 2018 17:53:20 GMT
Actually it is your horse that is most likely to get kicked if introduced to an established group. I used to introduce gradually when we had a new animal. However this did not mean turning out by itself unless an entire. It does depend on the fencing, not so bad if the fence has a good hedge with it, open stock fencing not good! However if this is your only option then I would turn out with his breakfast, hang his bowl on the gate and make certain you are going to be about. Good luck, do let us know how it goes
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Post by Philippa on Feb 14, 2018 19:15:58 GMT
I have mine on separate turnout. Not many people show on our yard & I couldn’t afford a kick injury.
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Post by sjw87 on Feb 14, 2018 21:02:35 GMT
Personally I hate individual turnout.
My equines are horses first, show animals second so I take the risk of kicks/bites/manes & tails being chewed as I much prefer them to be in groups. Even my entires are in together and are best buddies However, this is easier for me as it's my own yard and all the horses are mine having been together for years; the risk is far greater with animals coming and going, with different routines and different owners.
I do find that they are far more likely to do damage to themselves by fretting or trying to jump out if alone but some horses cope fine with it.
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Post by Philippa on Feb 14, 2018 21:33:09 GMT
Personally I hate individual turnout. My equines are horses first, show animals second so I take the risk of kicks/bites/manes & tails being chewed as I much prefer them to be in groups. Even my entires are in together and are best buddies However, this is easier for me as it's my own yard and all the horses are mine having been together for years; the risk is far greater with animals coming and going, with different routines and different owners. I do find that they are far more likely to do damage to themselves by fretting or trying to jump out if alone but some horses cope fine with it. Interestingly when we had ours at home and I had a ‘selection’ they went out together. I now have 1 pony on a livery yard so it’s important to me she is kept ‘kick free’. She has horses round her on 3 sides of her paddock and the fourth side is next to the arena so she entertains herself greatly when she’s out and people are riding in there. |
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Post by happy1 on Feb 15, 2018 9:33:20 GMT
Thank you all for your replies, it definatly isn't an ideal situation. Don't get me wrong I have had horses that are competing and I have welcomed individual turnout, but I do think they are much happier if out with at least one other. However for this poor chap its going to be like weaning all over again. But as we have little option, we are going to keep him in for a couple of days to get used to being stabled, do some ground work to get his brain thinking and graze him in hand in the field he has to go in to get him used to his surroundings. When and if we feel he will be ok we will just have turn him out when he can see others and make sure we get him in before he is left totally alone.....which will be a right pain, especially as I work, so his turnout time will be very limited until the first bank holiday, when no doubt they will then decide to turn out 24/7 regardless of weather!!! In the meantime I shall continue to dream of winning the lottery in order to buy my own yard :-)
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Post by honeypot on Feb 16, 2018 21:23:26 GMT
When I buy anything new I have an old pony which the new one is turned out with. This also gives them company when they are in quarantine, which for me is far more important than a kick injury. When they have got used to the yard routine, or lack of it, I then perhaps add another pony.
I hate individual turnout, everything has company and depending on the grazing or what is happening they change partners or join a bigger stable group. The old pony is loaned out baby sitting someone else's horse, I think every yard should have one.
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