[QUOTE=sascha;8280941]
There is a very big difference between standing at the gate because that’s the routine a horse is used to and running the fences, clearly being very uncomfortable to be outside. Big difference.[/QUOTE]
I realize this; was just giving my experience.
I’m glad we don’t have problems with bugs like that! I think the answer depends a lot on the horse, the owner and the turnout options. Where I board, horses go out in the morning and come in in the afternoon. Period. If a new horse runs the fenceline, the owner could bring it in, but nobody else will. We don’t have an insect problem. New horses are expected to work the existing system, or find another barn that’s a better fit for all. Generally, horses settle into the system pretty quickly because owners self-select (if you need that kind of supervision, you’re not boarding here). So I can give you examples of horses who adapt quickly and easily, but it’s probably not a representative sample!
As for the original problem-- horse who runs the fence line:
I have had some success in a few cases. My upper level mare used to live outside (big field, shed, lots of grass) with several broodmares. As the broodmares got close to foaling, they were brought in at night, leaving my mare all alone. Some days she was totally fine with it, other days she would trot the fence line for an hour. Not frantic, screaming, stupid running, just that relentless jog, “YOU FORGOT ME, BRING ME IN!”
I’d watch her from a distance, and if she didn’t settle in 30 minutes I would go catch her and tie her to a fence post. Once tied, she relaxed and stood calmly. After 5-10 minutes, I’d untie her and get her eating-- either a little extra grain, or take her to the grass or hay. Tying her up was like hitting the “reset” button, and when I got her tummy to take over her brain, she completely forgot about running the fence.
Another OTTB gelding came to me from a training center. He was used to 1-2hrs of turnout in the morning, then coming in. My routine is to turn out at night. He would be fine until breakfast time. As soon as he saw me in the barn area, he’d start pacing the fence. Sometimes just walking, other times galloping and sliding at the corners (the WORST!). I’d rush to get their breakfast made up, and then bring him in first before he did too much damage. I tried hard to bring him in when he was quietly waiting at the gate-- before he got worked up and running. If he did run, I was very demanding of his obedient, patient manners when walking in to the barn. I wanted him to learn that patience got him what he wanted, not stupidity. It took 2-3 months, but now I’m able to bring him in at my convenience, first or last of the morning. He still walks occasionally, but the stupid-running to come inside seems to be over.
When I managed a TB breeding farm, we had several young fillies come in fresh off the track. Most of them were put outside immediately with buddies; if not 24/7, at least 12hrs in, 12 out. Some walked and paced, but unless they were truly dangerous (attempting to crash the gate or break the fence) we left them out. That was very rare. Most of them went through a week or so of adjustment (“I’m a racehorse! I need a stall!” which we ignored), and then they were back to being normal happy horses living out. They were treated like broodmares, not pets, and they learned quickly to deal with the great outdoors.
[QUOTE=Libby2563;8280958]
Apparently I need to prioritize lifestyle issues when horse shopping, but hopefully that will be far in the future. Thank goodness my 2-year-old is also easygoing and learns from his “older brother.”[/QUOTE]
I think this is going to be the take-home lesson from the responses on this thread. I have my horses at home, and my setup simply won’t allow for the “barn princess” type of horse. They have both manmade shelters and plenty of large trees, but they go and stay out 24/7 - there is no barn to bring them into, no stall fans, and most days, not even any fly spray. I have not had a horse here yet that didn’t adjust quickly, but I guess mine are not upper level competitors and so maybe don’t have that kind of “mentality”. Just a pair of old guys left here now, I don’t even have the fence plugged in.
My horses did this when they couldn’t get back inside the barn once the flies got bad. I always brought them in when they were ready. Once we fixed it so they could get into the barn when they wanted, they were happy to stay out 24/7.
I am guessing it is a combination of flies, habit,and maybe she still isn’t settled into your place yet.
My mare panics about bugs in the early morning as well. She is a ‘full out gallop around the pasture screaming bloody murder because the bugs are trying to kill her’ kind of panic too.
My BO has figured her out over the years and the two of them have made a good routine. My mare stays turned around in her stall with her head in the corner in the morning until she wishes to go out. Then she pokes her head over her stall and nickers at BO once she decides the killers aren’t out full force and she gets turned out in the field with the other horses. Comes in at dinner time. This has worked for years, no more frantic running over bugs. Horses are funny but I get it, you should see me outside when there are lots of mosquitos - arms are FLYING frantically and I act CRAZY. I feel their pain.
There is a lesson here in reward and punishment. Bringing them in and feeding them and making them comfy when they have been running simply rewards that behavior. You can try some other things if you want to break this habit. Feeding them outside when they are calm and not running and then bringing them in by themselves with no food changes the reward into more of a punishment.
It is difficult when the bugs are bad out and not bad in the barn, but I had one that would do it whenever and I was able to stop the behavior almost completely. There was a direct line of sight from my barn to the pasture gate which was a hundred or so yards away. This mare would start pacing and escalate to run, sliding stop, roll back, run other way and repeat. So I did this: I would face her and she would stop for a second. Then I would walk towards her. As soon as she moved, I stopped. I wouldn’t move again until she stopped. Sometimes i shouted to get her attention but I made sure I never rewarded her bad behavior by walking towards her when she was moving. The first day I did this it took me 20 minutes to get to her. She threw a fit and got worse. But then she got better. After a few days she was MUCH better. Sometimes she regressed though. If she was really bonkers I would walk away completely and try again later. I have to say I am VERY patient and determined when it comes to behavior problems. I am a trainer after all. I work with difficult horses.
You just have to break it down into reward and punishment. You have to understand what you are rewarding. The funny thing is that they are learning from a distance and they learn very well as long as you are clear and consistent.
[QUOTE=Heinz 57;8281114]
I think this is going to be the take-home lesson from the responses on this thread. I have my horses at home, and my setup simply won’t allow for the “barn princess” type of horse. They have both manmade shelters and plenty of large trees, but they go and stay out 24/7 - there is no barn to bring them into, no stall fans, and most days, not even any fly spray. I have not had a horse here yet that didn’t adjust quickly, but I guess mine are not upper level competitors and so maybe don’t have that kind of “mentality”. Just a pair of old guys left here now, I don’t even have the fence plugged in.[/QUOTE]
Same here. It’s is what it is at our place. I’m at work all day anyways… Wouldn’t do them any good to pace; I’m not there to do anything about it.
Put a flysheet on her.
My new mare had never worn a flysheet in her entire life until she met me, I was only trying to keep her coat from bleaching. I put a flysheet on her and the second I take it off she has a meltdown while I run around her with flyspray :mad:
A flysheet might help her.
Whenever I drive to Warrenton or through VA, I look at all the horses out in fields in the heat of summer, swishing their tails and get thoroughly PISSED at my horses.
Mine are not acclimated to being outside, but they are turned out in pairs or groups and have run outs. Being able to get away into a run out may help eliminate that behavior. Mine would not do well turned out all day alone, though they can all be ridden, stalled, trailered and do go out alone. Just not turned out for long periods (all day) without a companion.
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