Overly dominant

Bandit · 09-07-2008, 05:30 PM

My mustang is on his way to getting an isolated pen away from the rest of the herd.

I undestand horses have their pecking order and such - but enough is enough. I counted over ten spots on my haflinger where he was bit hard enough to be missing fur and Bandit is the culprit.

I spent the afternoon watching the horses after seeing that because I usually see one or two once in a while on the horses, but not that many all at once. Well the horses will all be grazing and looking all peaceful and then all of a sudden Bandit will lunge at Toby and take a bite of hide. And he does this over and over. ARGH. I think its because Toby is 2nd in the herd dynamics - used to be the top dog until Bandit was introduced, but that happened 2 years ago. However, its starting to get rediculous and it looks like it is going to start interfereing with me riding my haflinger because all the bites are right in the saddle/girth area.

I really don't have as set-up to isolate my mustang unless I stall him, so besides that, any other suggestions?

walkerfarms · 09-07-2008, 05:35 PM

I don't know,grazing muzzle maybe?

Bandit · 09-07-2008, 05:53 PM

Wonder if they make any other type of muzzle that would let him full access to eat, but not bite. The last thing he needs is less food - he is my leanest horse, despite being a mustang and supposidly easy keeper. I believe its because he spends more time chasing around the other horses and less time grazing than the others. Toby is the only one he nails really hard, but he does chase around the two 3 year olds as well. About the only one he leaves alone is the donkey.

Anyone have a herd of bossy mares I can toss him with for a bit?

Carri · 09-07-2008, 06:11 PM

I could loan you Miley, she could put a 2000 pound draft in his place without thinking twice. Actually, I think a pony mare is just what you need!

roberts617 · 09-07-2008, 07:53 PM

My first thought was a herd of bossy, opinionated mares too.

**divinemisselle** · 09-07-2008, 08:04 PM

This is a herd of all geldings, right? I know that my mustang geldings (Soloman and Dakota) do not get along, but I can pasture either of them with any mare whatsoever. Strangely, they get along fine with Jake, but everyone gets along with Jake, and they got along fine with Tucker.

If the silliness continues, you may have no other choice but to seperate them.

EquineAlberta · 09-07-2008, 08:05 PM

Have you checked his hormone levels?

It could easily be though, that the Haffi and the Mustang just aren't compatible.

A mustang and a Halflinger are very different horses, that have evolved to have their own communication styles. It is like how people from different regions interact differently; some like to talk close, some need a lot of personal space, some use their hands to talk. This is true of horses too in some ways. Some breeds use slightly different movements to convey their wishes, and some need more space than others. If you put two horses together that irritate each other with their miscommunications it can cause a lot of fighting and stress for the horses.

It could also be that the mustang feels trapped by your set up. How much space do you have for them? How many horses in their "herd"? Mustangs normally run in small herds so he may also be overwhelmed by a larger number of horses and is venting on the haffi.

Karen

roberts617 · 09-07-2008, 08:09 PM

Just a thought...Would it be possible to alternate stalling him and Toby? So they would both have time turned out, but away from one another?

Bandit · 09-07-2008, 08:45 PM

Yes, this is a herd of all geldings. I had an opinionated filly last year (miss her!), but anytime she went into heat she through the whole herd into chaos.

I only have 5 acres and 4 horses and a donkey. However, last year about this time I had 2 extra horses (and no donkey), so the group is actually smaller now. The mustang has been here for 2 years now, so the set up isn't something new for him.

I have not checked hormone levels - is that a blood test? I'm thinking its more specifically this mustang and this haflinger, not the breeds in general because I know someone who has several of both that live peacefully together. But who knows.

We could do the rotation of a stall, but I would hate for it to come to that as both horses are not really used to it.

BTW - thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming! There has to be some answer to this.

Bandit · 09-07-2008, 09:01 PM

BTW - Divine, do you think this could have anything to do with him being seperated from the herd and stalled while his leg injury healed?

boisegirl78 · 09-07-2008, 09:05 PM

some horses, just like some people cant get a long. Remember having roommates? There are just some that cannot live together. Most of the time, herds get along better if they are a group of mares with one gelding, or all mares or all geldings. A lot of times if you have a few geldings with a few mares atleast one of the geldings will be study enough to want to chase the other boys away from HIS mares. Even if there arent mares I have seem geldings that constantly want to bicker with the other boys, especially if they share a fenceline with mares.

Could you put a couple strand electric tape or rope fence up to divide the pasture to separate them? You said the mustang gets along with the donkey? you could keep them together.

If the herd has been the same for months and the issue hasnt resolved itself you may just have to separate them, as I dont see any real way to change things. I doubt the muzzle idea would be a good one one as if his teeth arent working to get his point across he will probably just resort to kicking, which has more potiental to cause injury to the other horses than biting.

paso_lover · 09-08-2008, 11:10 AM

Remember a couple of weeks back I had the exact same problem with MFT?? I removed him from the herd and put him in the studs pen. At first he would boss Rosario around

, turn is

then throughout the week that changed

. After about a week the tables turned and he got a beat down from him, so I kept him in still another week

but all Rosario had to do was give him the "look" and he backed away. Took him out last week cuz Rosario started using him a a beat bag and he was getting hurt. He still is herd boss BUT he's no longer terrorizing the lesser horses.

Bandit · 09-08-2008, 05:50 PM

LOL - so paso, it still comes down to the fact I need to borrow a bossier horse for a bit.

paso_lover · 09-09-2008, 08:27 AM

dodib · 09-09-2008, 10:48 AM

Was his injury and stalling recent? If it was maybe he is again establishing himself as the leader of the herd???

Jess6092 · 09-09-2008, 10:54 AM

They do make muzzles for horses that do not interfere with grazing. I had to use on a gelding that I leased and boarded. He was also very agressive and for no reason. So I suggest getting one of those. Let me know if you need help finding one.

ahlihaff · 09-09-2008, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roberts617

My first thought was a herd of bossy, opinionated mares too.

Wouldn't this cause him to pick on Toby even more as he would need to display his dominance over someone? Unless the mares would protect Toby from Bandit.

Bandit · 09-09-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dodib

Was his injury and stalling recent? If it was maybe he is again establishing himself as the leader of the herd???

It was in July.

Jess - thanks for the info, I will look into one.

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09-07-2008, 05:30 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Overly dominant My mustang is on his way to getting an isolated pen away from the rest of the herd. I undestand horses have their pecking order and such - but enough is enough. I counted over ten spots on my haflinger where he was bit hard enough to be missing fur and Bandit is the culprit. I spent the afternoon watching the horses after seeing that because I usually see one or two once in a while on the horses, but not that many all at once. Well the horses will all be grazing and looking all peaceful and then all of a sudden Bandit will lunge at Toby and take a bite of hide. And he does this over and over. ARGH. I think its because Toby is 2nd in the herd dynamics - used to be the top dog until Bandit was introduced, but that happened 2 years ago. However, its starting to get rediculous and it looks like it is going to start interfereing with me riding my haflinger because all the bites are right in the saddle/girth area. I really don't have as set-up to isolate my mustang unless I stall him, so besides that, any other suggestions? __________________

09-07-2008, 05:35 PM
walkerfarms Weanling Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: TY TY Georgia Posts: 344	I don't know,grazing muzzle maybe? __________________

09-07-2008, 05:53 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Wonder if they make any other type of muzzle that would let him full access to eat, but not bite. The last thing he needs is less food - he is my leanest horse, despite being a mustang and supposidly easy keeper. I believe its because he spends more time chasing around the other horses and less time grazing than the others. Toby is the only one he nails really hard, but he does chase around the two 3 year olds as well. About the only one he leaves alone is the donkey. Anyone have a herd of bossy mares I can toss him with for a bit? __________________

09-07-2008, 06:11 PM
Carri Bombproof Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Alpharetta, Georgia Posts: 9,982	I could loan you Miley, she could put a 2000 pound draft in his place without thinking twice. Actually, I think a pony mare is just what you need! __________________

09-07-2008, 07:53 PM
roberts617 Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 4,795	My first thought was a herd of bossy, opinionated mares too. __________________ Never be too quick to criticize yourself. It's not fair to all the people who are dying to do it for you!!

09-07-2008, 08:04 PM
divinemisselle Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 6,398	This is a herd of all geldings, right? I know that my mustang geldings (Soloman and Dakota) do not get along, but I can pasture either of them with any mare whatsoever. Strangely, they get along fine with Jake, but everyone gets along with Jake, and they got along fine with Tucker. If the silliness continues, you may have no other choice but to seperate them. __________________ Let's all be Naughty this year, And save Santa the trip.

09-07-2008, 08:05 PM
EquineAlberta Seasoned Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 4,425	Have you checked his hormone levels? It could easily be though, that the Haffi and the Mustang just aren't compatible. A mustang and a Halflinger are very different horses, that have evolved to have their own communication styles. It is like how people from different regions interact differently; some like to talk close, some need a lot of personal space, some use their hands to talk. This is true of horses too in some ways. Some breeds use slightly different movements to convey their wishes, and some need more space than others. If you put two horses together that irritate each other with their miscommunications it can cause a lot of fighting and stress for the horses. It could also be that the mustang feels trapped by your set up. How much space do you have for them? How many horses in their "herd"? Mustangs normally run in small herds so he may also be overwhelmed by a larger number of horses and is venting on the haffi. Karen __________________ Hillside Stable, Ardrossan, AB Do unto others as you would have them do unto you...is it really that hard?

09-07-2008, 08:09 PM
roberts617 Seasoned Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Oklahoma Posts: 4,795	Just a thought...Would it be possible to alternate stalling him and Toby? So they would both have time turned out, but away from one another? __________________ Never be too quick to criticize yourself. It's not fair to all the people who are dying to do it for you!!

09-07-2008, 08:45 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	Yes, this is a herd of all geldings. I had an opinionated filly last year (miss her!), but anytime she went into heat she through the whole herd into chaos. I only have 5 acres and 4 horses and a donkey. However, last year about this time I had 2 extra horses (and no donkey), so the group is actually smaller now. The mustang has been here for 2 years now, so the set up isn't something new for him. I have not checked hormone levels - is that a blood test? I'm thinking its more specifically this mustang and this haflinger, not the breeds in general because I know someone who has several of both that live peacefully together. But who knows. We could do the rotation of a stall, but I would hate for it to come to that as both horses are not really used to it. BTW - thanks for all the suggestions, keep them coming! There has to be some answer to this. __________________

09-07-2008, 09:01 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	BTW - Divine, do you think this could have anything to do with him being seperated from the herd and stalled while his leg injury healed? __________________

09-09-2008, 08:27 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,469	Yep __________________ "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

09-07-2008, 09:05 PM
boisegirl78 Halter broke Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 124	herd dynamics some horses, just like some people cant get a long. Remember having roommates? There are just some that cannot live together. Most of the time, herds get along better if they are a group of mares with one gelding, or all mares or all geldings. A lot of times if you have a few geldings with a few mares atleast one of the geldings will be study enough to want to chase the other boys away from HIS mares. Even if there arent mares I have seem geldings that constantly want to bicker with the other boys, especially if they share a fenceline with mares. Could you put a couple strand electric tape or rope fence up to divide the pasture to separate them? You said the mustang gets along with the donkey? you could keep them together. If the herd has been the same for months and the issue hasnt resolved itself you may just have to separate them, as I dont see any real way to change things. I doubt the muzzle idea would be a good one one as if his teeth arent working to get his point across he will probably just resort to kicking, which has more potiental to cause injury to the other horses than biting.

09-08-2008, 11:10 AM
paso_lover Seasoned Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sudbury Ontario Canada Posts: 4,469	Remember a couple of weeks back I had the exact same problem with MFT?? I removed him from the herd and put him in the studs pen. At first he would boss Rosario around , turn is then throughout the week that changed . After about a week the tables turned and he got a beat down from him, so I kept him in still another week but all Rosario had to do was give him the "look" and he backed away. Took him out last week cuz Rosario started using him a a beat bag and he was getting hurt. He still is herd boss BUT he's no longer terrorizing the lesser horses. __________________ "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

09-08-2008, 05:50 PM
Bandit Coming two Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 1,787	LOL - so paso, it still comes down to the fact I need to borrow a bossier horse for a bit. __________________

09-09-2008, 10:48 AM
dodib Started Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ravenna, MI Posts: 2,568	Was his injury and stalling recent? If it was maybe he is again establishing himself as the leader of the herd??? __________________ Dorthy www.freewebs.com/brownranch/

09-09-2008, 10:54 AM
Jess6092 Yearling Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vermont Posts: 981	They do make muzzles for horses that do not interfere with grazing. I had to use on a gelding that I leased and boarded. He was also very agressive and for no reason. So I suggest getting one of those. Let me know if you need help finding one.