Help.....bullying

paso_lover · 08-21-2008, 08:40 AM

Well looks like MFT is at it again

. This time he thinks he's the herds stud and running the lesser horses into the ground and I mean BAD. He's relentless, nose curled, teeth out, running certain one into the ground and not letting them eat ANYWHERE. He's even tried to take on Reyna (who is #2 in the herd) but thought twice when she turned her

and threatened to kick the

outta him. OMG I watched yesterday and he even has Tia following suit and supporting his decisions

.

Is there anything I can do to stop this?? I know it's normal horse behaviour in the wild but this is new here. I have to get the POA in the feild so Reyna can have the isolation pen SOON. And if she has impaired vision what will Tucker do to her.

RockwoodDawn · 08-21-2008, 04:17 PM

Sorry, I have had spats like this between horses that have been in closed herds for years. Sometimes they are just like little kids. It happens with mares too, so it is not because of sex, it is just a power thing. My horses do get over it, and are allowed back in thier herd after a while.

A J · 08-21-2008, 04:18 PM

First, be sure to keep an eye on everyone else's body and mental condition, sometimes a persistantly nasty horse can have bad effects on everyone else.

Personally, I'd seperate him, even if all I could do temporarily would be to put up a small electric enclosure. Sounds like it's only a matter of time before one of the other horses gets hurt.

thumpersgirl · 08-21-2008, 04:40 PM

I agree with AJ. Is there any way you can pull him out of the herd for a bit and put him by himself? Maybe some time 'in the corner' will do him some good. I have 1 horse that likes to think he's king

sometimes too so I know what you're going through.

Sassy · 08-21-2008, 04:57 PM

I would definalty seperate him for a good long while. Several months until he looses his status within the herd. Especially if your introducing a new and visually challedge horse to your herd! It could spell disaster if the POA did not get out of the way in time to miss a kick or charge! When I worked at a stable in Edmonton all our dude line horses were kept in a huge corral in the evenings and when they were not working. We had one nasty qh gelding, and he had two supporters a cranky arab/appy cross and another qh gelding. The three of them regularly harassed the others until we put them in with the big boys

! Three draft teams

. They soon learned to mind their P's and Q's. They stayed with them the rest of the season. They cause a few nasty wreaks when the would pick out one or two indiviuals and were awful relentless. One ended up having to be put down after they run him over literally. The big guy made a charge the horse staggered trying to get out of his way fell and the three just run him over! He twisted his front leg as teh three pilled threw and over him and snapped his poor leg. Unfortunalty all four of us were there to witness it. It was awful!!! Best of luck to you! Hope he settles down! Another thign you may try is taking one of your saddle horses preferablly a lesser status one and chase him around with a whip. Sounds mean I know but tends to put them in their place some.

Slim Pikkens · 08-21-2008, 08:03 PM

Separating this horse for a few months will only make him pace his area as in his mind it puts him in the danger zone beyond the safety of the herd. He will resume his place in the hierarchy as soon as he in with the others. If there is one horse he gets along with I'd put the two of them separate from the others.

paso_lover · 08-21-2008, 10:08 PM

We were thinking of putting him in with Rosario

.

Actually I am thinking of sticking him in isolation but it won't be for months. I also got a new trainer for Kenya who happens to work just with the horse too. He had his first lesson today and holy crap was he HORRIBLE

. I really don't know where this has come from but I'm hoping the trainer can help fix this otherwise I can't have him there anymore

.

EquineAlberta · 08-21-2008, 11:08 PM

First of all, that type of aggression is NOT natural in the wild. The only time that type of agression would be seen in the wild is when multiple herds come together such as at a watering hole, salt lick, or when being herded, or if a challenging stallion comes to fight. Natural horsey herds are actually very peaceful and diplomatic. If wild horses fought and hurt each other regularly they would make themselves easier prey.

When we mix different breeds and put them in small spaces we create an unatural herd. Different breeds have different communication styles and can have trouble co-existing. For example some breeds tend to have different ideas of personal space, and have differing ideas on how many horses should make a herd. When in a pasture, horses don't have a choice and so fighting can occur as they get stressed.

Seperating him long term sounds like a good answer for all concerned. Maybe you can find one horse he can get along with. You may also want to check his hormone levels or check for a source of pain.discomfort that is affecting his moods....agressive horses tend to get more agressive when in pain.

Karen

BabyMay · 08-22-2008, 06:06 AM

Maybe find an older broodmare to put with him. They are known to put other horses in their place and keep them in line. LOL

paso_lover · 08-22-2008, 02:12 PM

So I put Rosario in the corral with MFT with all others in the barn and away from any fights.....talk about it back firing on me

. Tucker beat up the stud

.

I had to do something cuz a closer look showed a badly beaten Teaka (my rescue). He is now in Rosarios corral and they are getting along just fine.

08-21-2008, 08:40 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,546	Help.....bullying Well looks like MFT is at it again . This time he thinks he's the herds stud and running the lesser horses into the ground and I mean BAD. He's relentless, nose curled, teeth out, running certain one into the ground and not letting them eat ANYWHERE. He's even tried to take on Reyna (who is #2 in the herd) but thought twice when she turned her and threatened to kick the outta him. OMG I watched yesterday and he even has Tia following suit and supporting his decisions . Is there anything I can do to stop this?? I know it's normal horse behaviour in the wild but this is new here. I have to get the POA in the feild so Reyna can have the isolation pen SOON. And if she has impaired vision what will Tucker do to her. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-21-2008, 04:17 PM
RockwoodDawn Halter broke Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ledyard CT Posts: 155	Sorry, I have had spats like this between horses that have been in closed herds for years. Sometimes they are just like little kids. It happens with mares too, so it is not because of sex, it is just a power thing. My horses do get over it, and are allowed back in thier herd after a while.

08-21-2008, 04:18 PM
A J Greenbroke Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Vallejo, CA Posts: 3,354	First, be sure to keep an eye on everyone else's body and mental condition, sometimes a persistantly nasty horse can have bad effects on everyone else. Personally, I'd seperate him, even if all I could do temporarily would be to put up a small electric enclosure. Sounds like it's only a matter of time before one of the other horses gets hurt. __________________ Try not, do. Do or do not. There is no try.

08-21-2008, 04:40 PM
thumpersgirl Greenbroke Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,384	I agree with AJ. Is there any way you can pull him out of the herd for a bit and put him by himself? Maybe some time 'in the corner' will do him some good. I have 1 horse that likes to think he's king sometimes too so I know what you're going through. __________________ Some people are like Slinkies; they're good for nothing, but make you smile when you push them down a long flight of stairs.

08-21-2008, 04:57 PM
Sassy Started Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Northern Alberta, Canada Posts: 2,332	I would definalty seperate him for a good long while. Several months until he looses his status within the herd. Especially if your introducing a new and visually challedge horse to your herd! It could spell disaster if the POA did not get out of the way in time to miss a kick or charge! When I worked at a stable in Edmonton all our dude line horses were kept in a huge corral in the evenings and when they were not working. We had one nasty qh gelding, and he had two supporters a cranky arab/appy cross and another qh gelding. The three of them regularly harassed the others until we put them in with the big boys! Three draft teams. They soon learned to mind their P's and Q's. They stayed with them the rest of the season. They cause a few nasty wreaks when the would pick out one or two indiviuals and were awful relentless. One ended up having to be put down after they run him over literally. The big guy made a charge the horse staggered trying to get out of his way fell and the three just run him over! He twisted his front leg as teh three pilled threw and over him and snapped his poor leg. Unfortunalty all four of us were there to witness it. It was awful!!! Best of luck to you! Hope he settles down! Another thign you may try is taking one of your saddle horses preferablly a lesser status one and chase him around with a whip. Sounds mean I know but tends to put them in their place some. __________________ A horse which stops dead just before a jump and thus propels its rider into a graceful arc provides a splendid excuse for general merriment. ~ DUKE OF ENDINBURGH ~

08-21-2008, 08:03 PM
Slim Pikkens Started Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,948	Separating this horse for a few months will only make him pace his area as in his mind it puts him in the danger zone beyond the safety of the herd. He will resume his place in the hierarchy as soon as he in with the others. If there is one horse he gets along with I'd put the two of them separate from the others.

08-21-2008, 10:08 PM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,546	We were thinking of putting him in with Rosario . Actually I am thinking of sticking him in isolation but it won't be for months. I also got a new trainer for Kenya who happens to work just with the horse too. He had his first lesson today and holy crap was he HORRIBLE . I really don't know where this has come from but I'm hoping the trainer can help fix this otherwise I can't have him there anymore . __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda

08-21-2008, 11:08 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,465	First of all, that type of aggression is NOT natural in the wild. The only time that type of agression would be seen in the wild is when multiple herds come together such as at a watering hole, salt lick, or when being herded, or if a challenging stallion comes to fight. Natural horsey herds are actually very peaceful and diplomatic. If wild horses fought and hurt each other regularly they would make themselves easier prey. When we mix different breeds and put them in small spaces we create an unatural herd. Different breeds have different communication styles and can have trouble co-existing. For example some breeds tend to have different ideas of personal space, and have differing ideas on how many horses should make a herd. When in a pasture, horses don't have a choice and so fighting can occur as they get stressed. Seperating him long term sounds like a good answer for all concerned. Maybe you can find one horse he can get along with. You may also want to check his hormone levels or check for a source of pain.discomfort that is affecting his moods....agressive horses tend to get more agressive when in pain. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

08-22-2008, 06:06 AM
BabyMay Coming two Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 1,891	Maybe find an older broodmare to put with him. They are known to put other horses in their place and keep them in line. LOL __________________ Animals don't need a reason to love.

08-22-2008, 02:12 PM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,546	So I put Rosario in the corral with MFT with all others in the barn and away from any fights.....talk about it back firing on me . Tucker beat up the stud . I had to do something cuz a closer look showed a badly beaten Teaka (my rescue). He is now in Rosarios corral and they are getting along just fine. __________________ "I wish I was half the rider she thinks she is" \"Some people feel compelled to cut off the heads of others in order to make themselves appear taller\" ---Paramahansa Yoginanda