Herdbound mares?

Question

This friends of my mom’s is a complete backyard breeder. She has this barely broke spotted stud with a terrible shoulder angle and knows. Then she has another 8 mares who are equally as untrained and terribly conformed. The last time any of them were ridden were at least a year ago or more. One of them is unbroke. So I’m trying to give these horses a little better chance at life by putting miles and training on them. And I need something to do with my spare time.

And they are all TERRIBLY, TERRIBLY herd bound. I take away one mare an put her in the round pen and all she will do is run around nervously, working herself into a sweat and constantly calling out to the other horses.

I’ve been spending time lunging, trying to take their focus off the outside and onto me, but the mares are just so incredibly sour that they’ll throw themselves into the round pen panels while I’m on them.

Any ideas aside from this round pen work?

Answer 1

is their stalls at this home?

Try taking one mare and Just training her. Put her in a stall at night and out durring the day or opposite of the other horses..  If not put her in the round pen durring the night (no shelter and not safe in the summer unless round pen is covered) and just keep doing that and her being sperated from other horses isn't a big deal but make sure she is fed grain everytime taken into the round pen for a while. This will make her associate the round pen with good things not bad things like being seperated from the other mares. But slowly take the grain away so she dosen't allways beg for food while in their.  If the round pen is in a fenced in area really good. just incase she escapes..

Sorry dont know what else to recomend

Answer 2

If you have stalls, I would separate the herd into pairs, so they become more attached to that one mare than the others. Then, if you have to bring one in, you bring the other in, too, and stall them next to each other.

Where is your round pen now? Is it in view of their paddock? If it is in view of the paddock, move it elsewhere. If it isn't in view of the paddock, see if you can tie the "buddy" within view of the round pen while you're working the other mare.

Answer 3

I totally agree with the others although you might consider some other type of reward as the grain will add to the over reaction due to more energy that is usually stored until you've had a chance to work them a little. Good luck- you've really got your hands full.....

Answer 4

I would start out by taking them into the round pen just to feed them some grain. Take them out one at a time. They need to see the pen as a good place to go. While they are eating, I would stand next to them and stroke their necks and talk to them. I would get them used to be touched all over. This is a way to build up trust. I would sack them out while they are eating. If you feed them only in the round pen, they will like to go there. once they are used to being alone with you, I would take them out for walks and let them graze on grass if possible. I think it is always a good idea to pet and talk to a horse while it is eating as the horse will get positive feeling about you being around and associate you with a good thing. The only time they should get grain is when they go into the round pen. It won't be long before they walk to the pen on their own and wait for you to open the gate. Once they are comfortable with you and the pen, is when you should start lunging them.