Hey,
I moved yards about 6 weeks ago and to begin with everything was going great, Beau would come to the gate when I called her every night (she was a pain to catch at last yard if she wasn't the last one in), this surprised me as the other 2 mares live out but she was happy to leave them and come in for her dinner.
After a little while she'd have odd nights when she didn't want to come in (usually if Id ridden the night before), but equipped with a bucket of feed she'd come to me
, apart from one evening it had got quite late and was dark, she wasn't coming to the gate so I trekked across the field to get her but she just kept running off and it was a bit dodgy in the dark as the other mares can be a bit funny and kick out at her so I didnt think it was worth the hassle and left her out more annoying as Id spent the time mucking out etc etc.
Last week she was due to move to a new field, I dont actually know who owns the other 2mares she shares with but they weren't going anywhere so I decided to move her to the new field, she went in with my friends gelding (who was being picked on by geldings in his field), they fell in love and were joined at the hip but were ready and waiting at the gate to come in every evening (good in a way), but had got very attached to each other in this short time.
(sorry this is getting long!)
This was beginning to be a problem and was getting to the point where if they couldnt see each other they would both be going bonkers, so he went into the field opposite and Beau was alone but only about 6feet apart!
Now the mares have been moved in with her, when I put her out yesterday morning they were near the gate and wouldnt let her past to move out in the field, one tried to kick her but she ran past and was fine.
Last night I mucked out and got everything ready, went to get her in and she was right at the top of the field, not interested. So I went back and got a bucket with come nuts in, which ALWAYS works, still they just stood looking at me like I was a loony! I was wary to go too close to them as they'd come charging for the food and get nasty but as I got close Beau turned around and walked further away.
So I left her out. Its really frustrating, she was so attached to the gelding but would come in (if he was aswell!), now the mares pick on her but she wont come in.
I could let her live out but there isn't really enough grass and I like to have her in a routine else she'l turn a bit wild and be even worse to catch as she'll think its only to ride
I really don't know what to do with her, every situation seems to cause a problem, any help/advice much appreciated!
I moved yards about 6 weeks ago and to begin with everything was going great, Beau would come to the gate when I called her every night (she was a pain to catch at last yard if she wasn't the last one in), this surprised me as the other 2 mares live out but she was happy to leave them and come in for her dinner.
After a little while she'd have odd nights when she didn't want to come in (usually if Id ridden the night before), but equipped with a bucket of feed she'd come to me
, apart from one evening it had got quite late and was dark, she wasn't coming to the gate so I trekked across the field to get her but she just kept running off and it was a bit dodgy in the dark as the other mares can be a bit funny and kick out at her so I didnt think it was worth the hassle and left her out more annoying as Id spent the time mucking out etc etc.Last week she was due to move to a new field, I dont actually know who owns the other 2mares she shares with but they weren't going anywhere so I decided to move her to the new field, she went in with my friends gelding (who was being picked on by geldings in his field), they fell in love and were joined at the hip but were ready and waiting at the gate to come in every evening (good in a way), but had got very attached to each other in this short time.
(sorry this is getting long!)
This was beginning to be a problem and was getting to the point where if they couldnt see each other they would both be going bonkers, so he went into the field opposite and Beau was alone but only about 6feet apart!
Now the mares have been moved in with her, when I put her out yesterday morning they were near the gate and wouldnt let her past to move out in the field, one tried to kick her but she ran past and was fine.
Last night I mucked out and got everything ready, went to get her in and she was right at the top of the field, not interested. So I went back and got a bucket with come nuts in, which ALWAYS works, still they just stood looking at me like I was a loony! I was wary to go too close to them as they'd come charging for the food and get nasty but as I got close Beau turned around and walked further away.
So I left her out. Its really frustrating, she was so attached to the gelding but would come in (if he was aswell!), now the mares pick on her but she wont come in.
I could let her live out but there isn't really enough grass and I like to have her in a routine else she'l turn a bit wild and be even worse to catch as she'll think its only to ride
I really don't know what to do with her, every situation seems to cause a problem, any help/advice much appreciated!