anon
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Post by anon on Dec 21, 2005 11:31:28 GMT 1
Yes - sometimes you can have a mixed herd without problems.
Sometimes you cant.
Nothing to do with stallions or rigs - some geldings (and some mares) are never settled in a mixed herd environment.
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lucia
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Missing you always Sweetheart.x RIP Mai - 1996-2007
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Post by lucia on Dec 21, 2005 12:32:02 GMT 1
Cesca, Is there anyway the field could be split into two large paddocks so your boy and his chum could stay in one and the others next door?
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cesca
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Post by cesca on Dec 22, 2005 13:45:11 GMT 1
Hi guys, many thanks for all your responses and suggestions. Jacszoo - there is already a fenced off area around the gate, and it is a decent size. The problem is my horse is SO terrified of this gelding I can't get him anywhere near the entire vicinity, let alone in the corral. There is one the other side of the gate too, which he broke through in his panic to get away, which shows just how scared he is.
Gem I love your "sin bin" method, that is ace! Unfortunately it would be quite labour intensive, or have I missed something? The field can't be seen from the farm without a specific visit to it, plus I am away at work all day so can't stay in the field to keep splitting up each time it kicks off.
Lucia we have considered fencing off the field, though you'd have to see it to realise how difficult this would be. It's enormous and much of it is like a cliff face! Which is another reason why it's so dangerous when it kicks off, the "evil" gelding drives ours away down it, which is scary to watch. Also if you're leading you only have tiny paths which go along the steep incline, so you're not able to easily get out of the way.
There have been problems before when the last MARE was introduced to the herd, the dominant gelding bullied her terribly. Their solution was to turn them all out together 24/7 so they just had to get on with it, however I am too much of a wuss owner to get up the guts to do this.
I spoke to the dominant gelding's owner last night and she really doesn't get it. Because she hasn't seen any actual fighting she doesn't believe there's a problem. She just says to take a lunge whip, but even if that worked, why should we have to? Even if I could chase him away with it, no way would I be able to get mine after that. I told her mine had moved out because of hers and she was just like, oh well. She says there's nothing she can do. I didn't see YO yesterday but I will ask her tonight whether she still intends to ask this lady to move her horse. To be honest I have now come to the conclusion that he is a nightmare rig and perhaps should be moved rather than both us newbies be forced to move instead. I also haven't had chance to speak to the owners of the other new gelding to see what they intend to do, but I will tonight.
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Post by Kim with Rio on Dec 22, 2005 15:41:00 GMT 1
Hi Cesca
Here's hoping you can get this sorted out one way or t'other.
In the meantime, one thing I resorted to at a previous yard when forced to lead my mare through a geldings' field was to use a water pistol - the YO suggested I use a stick, but this just is not practical and you can all end up getting injured. At least I found with the water pistol you could keep your distance and keep unwanted neds away without fear of injury/getting too close.
Following injuries to my mare and the gelding (the gelding started it and came off worst - needed a vet) I had to get the problem gelding in first - too much hassle for me as the field was a real hike away from the yard and I had to get him in twice a day before I could do my own horse - with this and some other issues I ended up leaving the yard.
K
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cesca
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Post by cesca on Dec 22, 2005 21:17:57 GMT 1
Hello everyone, hurrah, the YO has moved the dominant gelding out of the field (from tomorrow). I didn't expect her to but she doesn't want to be restricted to only having the current small herd in there, and in any case she is enforcing a policy of removing the troublemaker, which has happened before apparently.
I am so pleased, today my boy went out in the other field I'd moved him to, and despite a clear rule that NO horse is to be left on its own, another girl brought hers in and left mine "because he seemed ok". I couldn't believe it! I have brought hers in so many times! And my boy is no trouble at all. I just can't risk things like that happening.
Many thanks for all your suggestions, here's hoping that new problems don't emerge (though I won't be surprised if they do...I'll just reinstate this thread again!).
Kim that sounds a dreadful situation (and a pretty neglectful YO), no wonder you moved, glad you and your mare survived to tell the tale!
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Post by Teeni on Dec 22, 2005 21:51:02 GMT 1
our yard is mixed with mares and geldings all turned out together and to be honest it works for us. they only get more than playful if there is not much grass in the field. there have only ever been a few horses come onto the yard that after 2days get turned out with the herd and come in with kicks, bites all over them but in these cases it only lasts for a few weeks. then they seem to fit in.
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natalia
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Post by natalia on Dec 22, 2005 22:20:39 GMT 1
I have had EXACTLY the same experinace as you, but unfortunate;y it was my horse who was being the bully. other liveries tried everything to let them get their horses out, but were frequently barged out the way or lunged at. They tried throwing things, a big branch off a tree being waved about. The only real soloution was for either myself to go and bring him in before everyone else got there, or for whoever was cathcing to go down with someone else, catch my horse first and hold him away from the gate while the other was brought in. In the end I decided that as there were children trying to catch ponies, I would move yards to somewhere he had individual turnout. (see my other post 2 rigs together about his new tricks!) It was inconvieniant as I work at the yard I was keeping him at, so now have to go to 2 yards daily, but its turned out much better. He also started getting worse as the weather got colder and he wanted to come in, not stay out 24/7. Maybe this gelding would also benifit from a routine like this? mine won't fester round the gate till he knows its dinner time now. If your yard owner is refusing to do anything else about this, she is being downright stupid. I tried everything with my boss to work this problem out (even leaving a water pistol by the gate!) but in the end he had to be moved, for everyones safety. Its not just getting pushed out the way or lunged at, if this horse (like mine did) barges out the gate he could end up on the road. And the owner would be liable for all damages her horse does to others she is being very iresponsible (sp?) also. I hope she has good insurance. My boss was very worried that someone would sue if my horse did something to them, and its quite simply not worth the risk. Now he's on his own I have complete (well almost) piece of mind that he can't hurt anyone and only let 2 other trusted people handle him at all. I'm sure if you spoke to the horse's owner and tactfully explained the risks involved, including the ones relating to 3rd party liability she would soon come round, I would also tell her that all methods have been tried and encourage her to come and see for herself what her horse is like around others. If she can't see sense and the YO won't do anything then I suggest you move yourself ASAP.
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natalia
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Post by natalia on Dec 22, 2005 22:25:48 GMT 1
sorry only read the first page! glad probelm is now sorted! as for leaving them on their own. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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cesca
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Post by cesca on Dec 23, 2005 11:38:47 GMT 1
Hi Natalia, yep that situation is identical. I am very pleased it's been resolved as it has, I'm just hoping that the owner of the moved gelding is going to be ok about it, and understand the danger of leaving it, as you were. I think, as you did, that if your horse is the problem he must be moved, it's just not worth it. She's a very nice lady so I'm sure she'll be fine. I spoke to the owner of the other new gelding this morning and he feels as I do, we didn't make any fuss about this situation because we're both new, so now we're just hoping there's no trouble as a result! Yes I was furious and hurt at my horse being left on his own, I just couldn't believe it. Luckily though the YO spotted it straight away and telephoned back to the yard to insist he was brought in immediately. Even then the girl that should have got him didn't go and get him, someone else did! And her horse is a horror to catch and lead (2yo and not taught any manners or how to lead) and I've brought it in plenty of times, if it's not me someone always brings it in. She had no idea at what time I'd be at the yard (it's not like she knew I'd be there in a few mins at all). I'm really angry about that. But at the end of the day it doesn't matter as we're moving back to the good field
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