Bringing in at night problem!!

[marjorie56]

I recently lost my big lads companion we purchased another friend for him and all has been well coming in and out no problems however over the past few weeks my boy has been chasing his companion away from the gate then standing back and encouraging her to be brought in first this has resulted in chaos at the gate as we never know how he's going to react this is totally out of character both are normally quite chilled _ there are only the two of them so no other horse involved as I am normally on my own to bring in any ideas?

[VeronicaF]

Hi marjorie56, It sounds as if their still sorting out the pecking order with each other

at the gate could you set something up, like a pen area? one idea

so your horse is chasing the new one away,and then standing back but the new one is then to scared to go forwards?

ummmmmmmmmmmmm

number 2 idea -could you take a bucket of food for yours to keep yours busy, then bring new one in?

or can they be together in field but a fence between them for a sort time to give them more time to get use to each other?

its a hard one.

but also one thing is when you have more time do some ground work with both
so they listern to you.back them up.

so you can teach them to stand back from the gate.
its hard because of the dark nights and dark early mornings and constant rain.
but when you have time and weather not so bad do some ground work

[marjorie56]

Hi veronica they seem to get on well during the day it's only at teatime we have this- Dolly definitely knows her place but like me is confused with Dubbys "aggressive" reactions at the gate he is 23 and normally really easy going I do wonder if he's jealous a d also if he is still missing his wee friend though she's been gone a few months now I will try your suggestions and see how we go thank you

[clipclop]

Please do not take a feed bucket into the field. It will only make him more likely to run her away from the gate.

My advice would be to make a pen with electric inside the gate, ideally with more than one opening so that you have options and safe space (I'll take a photo of mine later on for you).

Make sure that they are not coming in to feed buckets waiting in the stable for them. It can make them so desperate to come in and cause arguments.

Is there enough grass that they are happy out for as long as they are? Supplement with hay in the field if required so that they aren't desperate to come in.

Stick to one routine. Choose which one you are bringing in first (or catching first if leading in together)and always do it that way. The other one will learn to wait.

Last but by no means least, wear a riding hat and gloves to keep yourself safe.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[clipclop]

It won't let me attach a photo of my gateway but basically a pen big enough to turn a horse round safely in. It's then a safe place between field and gate.

Mine's essentially square with gate handles on all 3 electric sides so I can choose which one to use based on the situation. I very rarely have a problem now but when I added a 6th horse to my herd, it took a fair while for them to establish a pecking order so the pen was a godsend.

Sent from my SM-A300FU using proboards

[VeronicaF]

good point clipclop

[marjorie56]

Thanks for advice will persevere and let you know what the progress is

[marjorie56]

Update we have success my old boy is back to his old self persevered and stuck to the original routine if he got cross and chased dolly I turned and walked away he soon realized that the more he did this the longer he had to wait felt bad when I ignored dolly too however she a bright cookie and soon saw what I was up to so all's well again thanks for reading!!

[VeronicaF]

ahhh well done marjorie56!!!

its lovely to hear, well done again!