Escapologists

[MitchiestInge]

Grrrrrr. They jumped the fence a couple of weeks ago but couldn't get further than the next field, although they looked pleased with themselves about that. Now they have mastered the two horse job that is opening the gate (I tie it shut as the latch is not much of a challenge) with a mixture of dental dexterity and brute force. Brought themselves down to the yard yesterday morning and one just stood where he is often tied, as if he was wearing invisible head collar and lead rope, while the other mooched about licking things. This is after charging through other fields and upsetting another livery, unfortunately.

Are they bored or just being annoying? Any ideas? I've tied the gate twice and reminded everyone to keep all other gates closed.

[ManateeEquineOhara]

OMG I had a pony who used to get out wherever I put him, I had to catch him from roadside verges and large crop fields on numerous occasions .

Unfortunately I never figured out how to keep him where he was put so I have no advice, but I think he was rolling under the fence rather than going over it.

Can you just but a chain around the gate?

[CMOTdibbler]

One of Dponies field mates is into escapology, and has been out on every morning/evening visit for a couple of weeks.

He does it by putting his head under the electric wire, and then because he still has a heavyweight rug on (is clipped and on 24/7 turnout), he doesn't get shocked. Then he just lifts his head up and walks out.

And he kicked dh with both back hooves yesterday - right on the bum.

Pony is apparently in severe danger of being sold now.

Mine stays angelically in the field

[MitchiestInge]

Shit, chain for gate was on to do list or to get list. Have tied with lead ropes, wish they hadn't started doing this in earnest just as I'm about to be away for a few days - it's boredom I think, they get ridden every day but when they have a day off it's a sort of protest. Sometimes I think there is absolutely no pleasing them? They can't leave the farm without jumping padlocked 6 bar gates, even mine can't or won't do that, they could get into neighbouring farm but she knows and sometimes rides Barney and thinks he is amazing :) so am Not Worrying. It's more mortifying than anything else, especially when people say things like 'thought you were just doing one of your hands free things with them'.

[shufflebum]

Mine just jumps into whatever field she fancies, have given up now. If I make the fencing higher she just takes it with her (electric tape) and gets in a state. So I just let her get on with it

[cookielove]

Oh i know you are cross about them but it is very funny hearing about there antics, i so miss horses.

[frostyfingers]

Mine ping through the electric fence with abandon, but then when you need to get them back they can't possibly walk within 100 yards of it....it's so scary!

We had a pony who was forever sliding under fences -cue endless calls to my mum saying we have your pony in the garden again. We lived in army quarters and the fencing was all a bit temporary/ropy, so dear pony sussed out within milliseconds where the best grass was and it wasn't in his patch!

[roadkillbunny]

We put head collars on the gate of the field that the escapologist of the yard is in, had the normal latch, then tied with two lead ropes and then fasten a head collar (one with a buckle) around as well this keeps him in as he can undo all but the head collar (so far, he is a clever horse!). I think he really enjoys the challenge and has also been known to let himself out and then go around letting other ponies out!
Luckily he has never tried jumping out and he can't get off the farm.

[MitchiestInge]

there was a horse who used to go round our yard letting all his friends out, I miss him

mine obviously did a bit of escaping while I was away because the gate (what's left of it, which is just the frame and the horizontal bars, the upright and diagonal bits are gone ) was tied in about a dozen places

am looking forward to moaning about how fat and lazy they are in a few weeks now we have so much grass coming through