Need advice about one of our horses that we can't keep in the pasture anymore.?

Question

We have a quarter horse and a morgan,both are over 20,we got them this spring after we purchased a small farm.The morgan started getting out ,at first it was kinda funny since I was in the proccess of rebuilding the fences and took it as his way of telling me where I needed to work first,but,in the past month or so we can't keep him in any longer.He knows that if he steps onto the wire it'll give at some point,if he leans on a wooden post it will snap,a metal post will bend.Electric fence tickles him,shock collar doesn't faze him either,I hated to try it but I finaly did.I confused him by temporarly using ply-wood in the corral fence where I put him when the farreir comes,but we can't afford to line a 20 acre pasture fence with ply-wood . He's a great horse other than this problem.Right now I have a cable at just above head level that I can move around and anchore,I hook the lead to that and he moves around eating and so on.But the local animal lovers froup is throwing a fit about it.

Because it's cruel.I don't like doing that but I had to do something,and giving him up isn't an option. Had I known better at the time when I had a chance to ask the preiviouse owners I would have asked them why they had a fence up made of 8 inch metal tubing about 6 foot high cemented into the ground ,that might have been an indicater.He's a great horse,loves to go,go,go,and go.

The 2 main reasons that selling , boarding,or giving him away is not an option.1. the moran and the quarter were born the same week and have always been together, you can't seperate them.2. 21 years ago when my wife and I were fisrt married I promised that after we got out of the military and settled down we would have a place for a couple of horses.21 years later I fullfilled my promise,and when we went looking around we stoped at a farm,and something cool happened,a horse that wasn't people friendly walked up to her and after a few minutes laid his head over her shoulder.That made up her mind and we bought them.Because of those reasons I'll deal with whatever ornriness he comes up with.

I bought and use a XP5 AC Powered 5 Joule Energizer,it's got a good kick( I kinda touched it while weeding one day ),but for a horse of his size ( 16 hands,huge for a morgan ) I'm starting to think it's not enough of a kick.

Answer 1

I had that trouble with my stud. He learned it over a surprisingly short time (overnight to be exact). I solved the problem by using a parmark fence rated for 30 miles (they no longer make this exact model). Then I came in 2 feet from the woven wire fence and drove a line of t posts. I capped them to keep him from hurting himself. Then I ran a wire along the top and another along the bottom about 18 inches off the ground.

He decided he did not want to stand in the electric fence to push over the other fence. He has not gotten out since.

Answer 2

I use a solar powered electric fence for my horse's and it isn't very strong. They respect it, but if push came to shove they could easily go through it. They also learn that they can lower their head and lean their mane into the fence and don't get much of a shock.
But if you buy a top quality plug-in-type electric fence i can guarantee your horse will NOT push through it very often. Our cattle owning friends state that when you touch their fence it feels as though you were punched in the arm, and it can literally hurt for several hours following. Doesn't leave permanant damage, but you do NOT want to ever touch one again.
I wonder if you fence is grounded properly. How deep of ground poles do you have? Do you have a fence tester? You need to buy one, and check your fence at multiple locations. If you are not getting a high enough voltage reading on your fence tester, than something is wrong with either your charger, your ground rods, or your set up. Are you using cheap wire with steel wires, or the heavy duty good quality stuff that is like rope and has a copper wire? That can also make a huge difference. If your wire is really thin a horse can hit if fast and hard, break it and then move on without getting much of a shock. The heavy duty product takes hundreds or even thousands of pounds to break and in the time it takes will give your horse several hard shocks will stop them from leaning in the future.
As a woman I have done all my own electric fencing for years, and it has a bit of a learning curve, for me the main thing has been to have a really deep good ground rod - they recommend either one rod in 8 ft deep or 3 rods in 3 feet deep and then connected together. Make sure your clamps work well, and that the ground rod isn't corroded. Read or get an info book on your electric fence and talk to specialists who sell the products. You can even get someone to come out from many fencing places who will install or service your fence, for a price.
I hope that you will persist with electric fencing, it sounds as though it is your only affordable option. I suppose the other thing you could do is hobble him when he is in pasture, but hobbles can rub spots and would be only a temperary fix. Good fencing will save his life, and can save you from being sued as an escaped horse is dangerous for everyone. Good luck and don't give up - I think you can solve this problem but you might need an electric fencing expert in to help!

Answer 3

You seriously need a round pen or paddock made of heavy pipe and cemented in. In the meantime, picket him as you have been. You may have to spend some time explaining this to the animal activists, but he is not being harmed in any way and being free in this world is definitely dangerous. Obviously, he is a veteran Houdini and prefers his freedom to the confines of his pasture, wherein the grass is much less green. Or you can try a stronger electric fence. We have one that has four strands and they are thick like a rope. The charge will set a big horse on it's heinie with one jolt. It is not a constant jolt, which also helps. Even with this, one quarterhorse colt would walk out between the strands on a regular basis. We had to change the strand configuration so he'd come in contact with a live wire in the right place and he immediately stopped raiding the neighbor's garden. I know what a trial it can be!

Answer 4

My husband's Appaloosa mare is like that-a regular Houdini. We now have her in what's basically a stud or bull pen. It's an acre field with 4 hot wires and a heavy-duty gate with a chain. The posts are large hardwood posts. There's enough electricity going through there to make my eyes bleed when I touch it (maybe I exaggerate a bit!). It only took a couple of times for her to get zapped and she stopped her escaping tricks. We also have a large round pen that you can add panels to, and she doesn't try to get out of that-too lazy to jump, I guess. Wood isn't the best option-too easy to lean on and break, same with the vinyl. Electricity is your best option, you'll just need a higher voltage. Stay away from barbed wire, though-if he goes through that, the injuries would be terrible.

Answer 5

The best thing I can come up with off hand is to buy a large round pen, or at least a decent sized one and add on as you can afford. They tend to be quite tall and solid all the panels hook so he wont be able to push bend or lift it out of the way. Just set it up in the pasture and move it about as he grazes it down.

I don't know why people freak when they see a proper picket line. I had a girl come up to me and tell me she had horses and knew it'd be bad if mine spooked. Like I obviously didn't have horses as well! I was polite because she did mean well but can be very hard to explain.

Answer 6

Your horse is making your job pretty hard as it seems. My best guess would be going towards a roundpen sort of fencing. Althought its not cheap, but it seems as if its the only way to go. Your horse will get hurt if this keeps going on. If you cant afford proper fencing for him... you could consider selling. Although i would not choose this. So theres is two things i can advise.

http://www.allhorsefence.com/horse_round_pen.jpg
You could use something like that. Although... i have a feeling he could easily bend those boards.

http://www.blattnerlivestock.com/images/Round%20Pen/rd1.jpg
Heres a fence we use. You could most likely get enough of something like that to do a pasture... you would just need to do some research on where to get it.

You could board or sell. Althoughhh... like me im so attatched to my horses it would not be a opttion

Answer 7

The solutions I have learn are no less than a bit bit right. The trouble is that she does now not see you as a lead mare. I have treated horses that didn't desire to be stuck by means of many folks however might stroll as much as me. Others that didn't like guys for a few purpose or yet another and I would nonetheless paintings with them and I am 6'two" tall and now not small. Part of it's you and I am now not looking to be imply in any respect. Buy a publication on how you can converse with horses there are a few fundamental matters that you'll be able to be taught kinda rapidly. One factor is getting them to peer you because the lead mare/herd chief. Carry a coaching whip with you to right unhealthy conduct like a lead mare might do in a truly herd. This is extra mighty while the pony is by myself a pasture. Part of it's being equipped to stroll as much as your horse within the area and not using a halter and be equipped to puppy them, elevate their toes, play with their ears and so on. Part of that is having trust in your self and the pony will believe you. If you're now not optimistic then the pony is not going to believe you. Like I would load my horse right into a trailer simply by main him up and telling him to get in at the same time a few one else would now not get him to budge even by means of jogging in with him. There is even one horse on the barn that thinks that I am her proprietor and behaves larger for me than anybody else on the barn. So your house paintings begins with regaining your horse's believe. Then compare her to peer if she is injured and aid her relieve any anguish she could have. There would be different elements like anyone else is catching her at the same time you're long past and abusing her. These matters do occur at a few barns and it is someday rough to trap the ones dependable. I've heard approximately it in different barns in which a few brats cross in and abuse horses at the same time mommy is using. I desire this is helping. I want you and your horse the excellent.

Answer 8

We used to have electric fencing that was plugged into the mains and I've never seen one go through it. You need a stronger electric fence because this is not only a pain in the butt for you but it's danagerous for him and other people if he gets onto roads. etc.

Answer 9

Stronger electric fence. There are electric fences for buffalo that are stronger than just the regular ones. If he touches it once garentee he wont touch it again. My cousin touched it once and it made some of her hair stand up on her head haha she said "ya it was a bit strong!" it didnt injure her but it stung for a little bit she said.

Answer 10

I don't have a solution to your problem, but just had to weigh in and give you a big ol' gold star for keeping your promise to your wife! That part of your post warmed my heart.

Do you have time to work with the Morgan more and perhaps tire him out and give him extra exercise (including mental exercise; Parelli games, maybe?) It sounds like he could be bored, clearly he's a very intelligent horse since he's figured out how to get what he wants in spite of minor inconveniences. If he's a smart guy with extra energy, keeping him stalled all the time or even on the picket line might just make him crazier rather than solve your problem.