updated: made the trip, and so far so good--update post 8

[ayrabz]

Ok. I already had an earlier thread on 'should I or shouldn't I', in re: to trying a visit 'alone' with my gelding to the new farmette.
I thought :no: I had a friend and her horse hauling with me for this first time...but, it didn't work out for her. So, again, I'm contemplating hauling him there alone and paddocking/stalling him there alone for this 'visit' (Tonight and tomorrow night, and haul home on Monday).
Now, what I'd appreciate feedback on is this: He's never been behind electric before....and, I KNOW he's going to be tense/worried/nervous 'alone' and in a new spot....should I electrify the top hot rail this 'first' time or not?
I felt so much better about that when I had the hope of the 'friend' for him (who's very familiar with hotrail) to calm him down.
I knew of a friend's horse who, behind an electrified fence the first time, almost colicked because they were too afraid to get close enough to the water trough to drink at first---
This is three rail flex fence, so the hot rail is just 'additional', and I could just not make it hot this first time? Or should I do that immediately regardless?
Like I said, I know this is last minute, but I thought (!) he'd have a pal.

thanks for any (!) opinions!

[greysandbays]

I'd make it "hot" from the get-go. Horses only respect hot fences if they are hot ALL THE TIME. If it's on sometimes, off sometimes it's worth testing now and then. If he leans on the fence, finds it harmless, and decides to go looking for a buddy, you'll have bigger problems than him not wanting to come up to the fence!

If being too afraid of the fence to come up to water is an issue, just set a five gallon bucket back far enough.

[ayrabz]

thanks so much Gs&Bs. I hadn't thought (!) of him possibly 'testing' the fence in order to try to go find a buddy. Ok. Here goes gang.
Sigh. I hate that I have to stress him 'alone'. I KNOW its not normal, but I've constantly been dissapointed in the situation where friends just can't plan on/accomodate coming along with. So, for me, its 'take him alone and let him work it out' time. Or realize I'd just never be able to plan on visits.

If I ever (!) take my eyes off him long enough to be at the computer once there, I'll try to log in, and give an update.

thanks again,

[tabula rashah]

Another vote for hot from the get go- I think running through fences has got to be one of the hardest things to fix with horses ever- once they start its almost impossible to stop (not to say your guy would go through the fence but just in case). And I'm guessing those horses who wouldn't drink - more likely there was a short somewhere and they were feeling the current rather than they were afraid to get near the fence

[greysandbays]

thanks so much Gs&Bs. I hadn't thought (!) of him possibly 'testing' the fence in order to try to go find a buddy. Ok. Here goes gang.
Sigh. I hate that I have to stress him 'alone'. I KNOW its not normal, but I've constantly been dissapointed in the situation where friends just can't plan on/accomodate coming along with. So, for me, its 'take him alone and let him work it out' time. Or realize I'd just never be able to plan on visits.

If I ever (!) take my eyes off him long enough to be at the computer once there, I'll try to log in, and give an update.

thanks again,

But he won't be completely alone -- you'll be there. It's not like you are going to dump him off and then go gallivanting around around the local night clubs or stick him in a 100-acre pasture two miles from the house.

Could be a good thing for him in the long run (albeit kinda hard on your nerves in the short term).

[Marli]

I agree and would keep the hot wire plugged. The new surroundings for him would be an invite for him to investigate and like the others have said, perhaps 'test' the flex rail. I've always found that horses have a sense when the electric is on- he'll know it and stay away. Better to have him where he's suppose to be than run the risk of a fiasco of him plowing through the flex rail and getting loose! This will be a learning experience for him- and you! :yes:

[chism]

Once a horse finds out they can blow through the fence, life sucks for you. Trust me. ;)
If you're really worried about it, you could always put out a small bucket of water tied to the fence line for a few days. Or you could do what I do to test the electric fence/water trough issue.....lure them over to the trough with apples, give them one or two pieces, then drop some into the trough and let them go fishing. Works every time. Good luck.

[ayrabz]

updating:
Well, the frustrating thing was, the electric wouldn't work! Ok, so I dunno what? the issue is, but fencer guy did call me back and is getting out here on Monday to figure it out. It worked perfectly on our 'walkthrough', so we're both baffled, but long story short, Pony is behind non electrified for this trip.
He's definitely 'worried'....always looking for another horse, not at all (!) happy in the barn, wants out....but I expected that. Also, most places we 'visit' I leave him on turnout for that time, and he almost always gos 'off' his feed---as in, would rather leave it and walk and have grass.
So, nothing unexpected there either.
Drinking/grazing/haying/poopin'/ peein' plenty normal, just restless, and LOOKING constantly for another horse.
I would still and will still do this again, though. I just can't bring him a friend each time, and I need to be able to come and enjoy him here. I will post another link to the photos, if they come out, of him in his new 'vacation' digs!! I hope I got some good ones...especially of daughter schooling/riding him in the 'dressage' arena. Its been so wonderful to 'have' him here, (with her visiting from campus only 15 minutes away!) and watch her ride him right here...at her grandma's house, which was also once MY grandma's house, and know he'll always have a home here, and so will she.:)
I plan to haul home tomorrow, and I KNOW he'll be sooo happy to see his pasture mates, and sigh with relief.