Loose horse - mine

[lovesfortune]

So this morning I woke up at 7:45, still "sleeping" and let the dogs out. Didn't even look over to the horses other than to see that Reno and Booty were waiting to be fed. That isn't unusual, Norman isn't as excited about eating as those two so I thought he was somewhere else in the pasture behind the run in or something.

I heard the dogs barking, but they do that from time to time at a rabbit, etc, so I didn't think anything of it. Go out to feed at 8 a.m. after the kids are all set up with milk and bathroom runs, etc.

Still just see the two and still not worried, all of the sudden I hear loud noises in the brush behind the house like something walking... I look up and THERE'S NORMAN!! :confused: So I grab a bucket of grain and a lead and he comes right to me. I check him over and there is no injury, in fact he looks great!

Put him back in the pasture and then walk the fence looking for where he got out. Nothing. No sign of how he got out. All 3 strands are looking just fine and the t-posts are all upright and straight. Everything is working. Gates are closed.

How did he get out? I have no idea and now I'm worried. Today I was supposed to leave to go out of town for the day and I don't want him escaping again, much less showing the other two bozos how to do it either.

[lovesfortune]

And I did think at first "jump" but he's a big lazy guy guy and I've NEVER seen him do much of anything... so I really don't think that's it.... but maybe it has to be?

[Palogal]

My neighbors mare likes to lean just far enough to loosen the top strand of their fence just enough to step over it. Mine have tried that trick too. Or, if they're really feeling froggy they'll duck under if the bottom is loose.

[WashingtonBay]

Is this electric wire or tape? Both are very elastic and will snap back so it might be hard to tell where he got out. I suspect he got a head through to grass on the other side... and once the head is through, the body can follow. Could be your fence isn't providing enough charge, could be you need more strands so he can't get a head through or over without getting zapped. I'd be concerned until you can verify the fence is in fact working.

[Palogal]

If it is hotwire, it's possible it's grounded somewhere and not zapping part of your pasture. Make sure it's not touching anything metal anywhere.

[Remali]

Hope you figure out how he got out, funny the other two didn't follow him out. Maybe he ducked underneath the fence tho?

Not to scare you, I'm sure no one is tampering with your fence or with your horses..... but did you hear that 3 horses were shot and killed in northern Dunn county this last weekend? Someone was purposefully targeting horses, and shot them at three different farms, actually drove onto their property and shot the horses. I doubt anyone is messing with your fence, but keep an eye out, and maybe leave some extra lights on if you can.

http://www.weau.com/home/headlines/78155502.html

[outriding01]

Any chance he laid down for a roll and went under it? I've seen this happen once or twice, but normally the bottom wire is a little high and the horse usually doesn't come out of it with no scrapes or scratches.... But who knows? Hope you get it figured out!

[Suzi]

Oh they are tricky creatures, aren't they? And they aways look so innocent, as if I am supposed to be here.
Glad he is Ok.

[Gypsy Rose]

That's strange! Hope you figure out how he got out!

[lacyloo]

Any chance he laid down for a roll and went under it? I've seen this happen once or twice, but normally the bottom wire is a little high and the horse usually doesn't come out of it with no scrapes or scratches.... But who knows? Hope you get it figured out!

I could see that happening...Have you ever noticed how horses LOVE to roll near the fence :rolleyes: .

Then when their hoof hits it,they jump up like WTH was that? :rolleyes:

Thats pretty weird and scary lovesfortune.I hope he pulled a magic trick and escaped rather than someone purposely letting him out. :eek:

[Gliderider]

I had 2 different horses get out by rolling under the fence not on purpose. They were just rolling and was to close to the fence and ended up on the other side. I personally seen one of them do it. Didn't knock the fence down or nothing nor did either one get a scratch.

[Beausgirl]

I doubt anyone let him out - they would have left the gate open and all three would be out. I'm guessing he went over - the fact that he doesn't do much doesn't mean he "can't" do much!! ;) Any chance the other two put the run on him? Under is a possibility too - depends on how high your bottom strand is, how tight your bottom strand is, and how big the horse is..I've had medium sized horses go under temporary "rope" fence - but never barbed wire... Hmm! A mystery, hey??

[lovesfortune]

Ugh. Just got home. THanks for all the suggestions. I guess he got out at least 2 more times. :( My hubby got home and witnessed the last two after he put him back in. He just walks right through and that's that. Doesn't seem to care much. Hubby re-checked the fencer and thinks it might have been not working in that part of the pasture he was getting out. Got it all fixed and watched Norman walk right back to that corner again and try to walk through.... ZAP! He's tried a few more times since I've been home, but has stayed in.

WB - we use the electric rope for fence, it's white like the tape, but rope instead.
Renee - thanks for the heads up. My mother in law was also worried someone was letting him out - but we couldn't explain why the others were stil in.

I just don't understand WHY he wants to get out though... just because? He has hay and water and the pastures outside of his are all eaten down and not good for munching....

[WashingtonBay]

Why? To see what's on the other side :) The thrill of adventure.

It's a bummer to have smart horses. You're going to have to watch him during power outages, and keep that fence working all the time, because he knows the difference!

May not hurt to put up a few more strands too.

[lovesfortune]

Yeah... I guess we've never had to deal with them getting out before. I'm kind of wondering if part of the problem is that this is probably the smallest pasture he's ever been in his whole life and there isn't much "to do". We are talking about adding on again this week so they have another 6 acres or so... maybe that will keep him occupied and forget about what's on the other side.

We are definitely keeping the fence on at all times though. luckily for us, power outages are few and far between.

Hubby and I are just amazed that it's Norman out of all 3. Reno got out once this past summer, but he jumped and was probably being chased. Booty is just a trouble maker and always is into something... but never old man Norm. Guess we'll have to change our thought process!

[WashingtonBay]

And you thought you had one GOOD horse :)

[lovesfortune]

ha! i know. now i know the truth. They are all trouble! and now i'm paranoid and will be checking on him during the night with a spotlight/flashlight to make sure he's still in there!

[Gypsy Rose]

Glad you found out what the problem was!

[Remali]

Glad you found out how it was happening.....what a stinker!

I guess he thinks the grass is greener on the other side. :)

[lovesfortune]

Well so far, so good. He's stayed in overnight and through today so far. He's gotten zapped a few times though trying to figure out a way to get around the electric fence.

[Equine_Woman]

Whew! Glad you figured out what he was doing!! Punk!! But that made my mind up for me. I was thinking of using the tape to fence the back part of our pasture so I could take my panels back and build my round pen. . . Now I'm just going to save and buy a round pen!