Rosie Update for those who are interested :D

[Deleted]

Rosie is settling in very well, the tables have definitely turned and she has had to learn the hard way that she isn't the dominant mare in the herd anymore and Seren is very much in charge, thankyou very much.

I have also learned the hard way to keep my wits about me when dealing with a newbie pony who is being beaten up by my other mare. she booted me full power sending me off my feet, completley my own fault for not being awake and not reading her body language.

So, moving on from that I have been working on making sure the pair of them realise that when I am dealing with one of them the other one has to keep a respectful distance and stay there, minding their own business. It's taking time and initially I had to put Seren into another area of the field so that I could work safely with Rosie, but slowly and surely we are getting there, also Seren is still strugglign a bit with this concept.

Anyway today was a breakthrough on lots of levels, removed Serens rug and took her for a walk, first time I've taken either out of the field. No dramas and a lovely short walk, back to find rosie happily chatting to the horses next door but they were happy to be reunited after much posturing and showing off (you'd think it had been years, not minutes)

and then on with a rope halter for Rosie and some very low key and very successful pressure and release work to ask her to move her hind quarters/shoulders and backup. I feel this is very important at the moment because I think she is very insecure about her position with us and I want her to understand that she needs to listen to me and do as she is asked.

I am very pleased with how she responded and we had a short walk in the field and she is definitely starting to relax.

This was finished up with her standing next to me for ages loose while I stroked her nose and ears etc, she is such a sweetie. haven't been able to do much at all because of the weather but shall keep doing what I can and hopefully buildup to taking rosie out of the field, which I know will be a huge stress for Seren but I will give her loads of hay to keep her occupied. not that I think it will help but she'll have to live with it. Little and often etc

blimey I have rambled on

[Louise C]

Sounds like good progress RL! I'm doing similar things with Flynn and Noodle - there main job at the moment is moving from one field to the next - Noodle has no idea on how to turn bless him after going through a gate! The fields are thankfully next door to each other so not far to go:-)

[Kandis_Mum]

You are doing really well, I think you will be surprised at just how quickly it will all move forward if you keep on the way you are. Separation anxiety can be a nightmare but you will deal with it as you need to and Seren will get used to it, good luck.

[mandal]

Dec 28, 2009 14:48:46 GMT 1 @runningloon said:

So, moving on from that I have been working on making sure the pair of them realise that when I am dealing with one of them the other one has to keep a respectful distance and stay there, minding their own business. It's taking time and initially I had to put Seren into another area of the field so that I could work safely with Rosie, but slowly and surely we are getting there, also Seren is still strugglign a bit with this concept.

Working on this is so important imo when you're taking one from a group or pair. Molly is not 100% reliable on this one, if I don't keep my eyes peeled she's there, nuzzling me or 'making up'(aka flirting) to Bracken etc. ;D

Sounds like great progress as Louise has said. Great also to have a think how far you've all come and be very pleased with the 'small' things that are falling into place.

[Deleted]

flirting would be good mandal, seren is in flatten rosie mode at the moment, although she is definitely starting to calm down a bit. It's a shame but because of circumstances outside my control she has been pretty much on her own for the last 2 years or so, hence taking on little rosie to keep her company. I think it's fried her pretty little brain and she's come to depend on me and possibly see me as her pair bond (be interested in other views on that) she follows me EVERYWHERE although she is always respectful.

since rosie arrived she has definitely been doing everything she could to try and keep rosie away from me, although she is starting to calm down a lot and accept that rosie is allowed to approach me. It's hard work and I have to be on the ball for body language and stepping in if Seren oversteps boundaries.

It does feel mean putting my foot down with rosie as well, but she does need firm boundaries as well, she's a lovely little pony but very dominant. She's a mix of nerves and dominance and at the moment I feel she's still struggling to find her feet, but we are definitely getting there.

It's so lovely to see Seren with a companion, even if things are a bit strained between the pair of them at the moment, but from what I can gather from Suzie who previously owned rosie, Rosie was the dominant one where she was before so it must be quite a shock to her system to encounter an older mare who won't stand for her nonsense.

[Lorraine L]

Sounds like you are making progress in small steps RL, which is the best way, i believe.
Circumstances yesterday meant that we had to move my sisters two mares from their existing field into a new one not too far away.
You would have thought we were throwing something at them that they had never done before !! Honestly, Floss grew to 17hh at least and Lou decided that she couldn't possibly wait patiently while i got through the gate first. Its a really silly situation because we know if we had moved them around the fields regularly, they would take this in their stride. Sadly, due to watching their weight, we had them in the same paddock for months and months. Maybe its time to keep them moving around from now on !!
Keep up the good work x

[Deleted]

LOL lorraine,keep smiling

[suzieq]

I'm so pleased to hear that she is setteling and starting to make a close bond with you, she is a funny mix of bold and scared, when they came at 6 months old she was the very timid one, her sister was much braver and more dominant. Rosie then came to live in my herd to be the youngster keeping my baby company. She lived with 2 older mares both of whom put her very firmly in her place. She only pecked above the pony, even my mares baby Mille was promoted by virtue of her mum and her Auntie Ruby!!

But when her sister was introduced in September it was awful, she hated her the minute she saw her again and it was like she decieded, no way are you bullying me again and continually made sure her sister didn't forget it, i dont expect she's enjoying having the tables turned on her again!

Your snow pics were beautiful RL but i have to say I was glad to see it go! The mud is just a different struggle but at least you can get through on the bike.

[Deleted]

hiya suzie, hope you have recovered from the flu xx

yes she's not at all happy about seren putting her in her place but the daft thing is if I seperate them for any length of time it's a disaster as far as the pair of them are concerned LOL

Rosie definitely thought she had the upper hand when she arrived but I think Seren has had a rethink and has decided she'd rather not share food, especially with a young upstart LOL

any news on Polly?

[bramblesmum]

really pleased to hear they are doing well RL.

Bramble was just as difficult when in with a new youngster I had in the past, it took them a few months but in the end they got there and became firm friends

[jackiedo]

Zarello and April HATE each other, unless one goes out, then the other one desperately wants tham back, even if there is another horse in the field. Having said that, when April had a bad episode of choke recently, Zarello came running up to comfort her, so they must care for each other really

[suzieq]

No news on Polly She is much happier without Rosie, she even stays in the field now!
She is improving little by little all the time, though it is very hard to do much with her as the ground is so slippery. I have hay until the end of february i think maybe less as the grass I had has been trashed! Its a terrible time of year to have to rehome anything and its very difficult to afford it all.

[portiabuzz]

well done! xx