Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2011 11:48:16 GMT 1
I'd try not to worry too much and would just keep an eye on them.
Talin always used to be a complete wuss and would just stand and let others bit chunks out of him, at the first yard I had him at he was liternally never free from scabs and wounds.
When Henry moved in with him I was shocked to see Talin telling Henry where to go when Henry tried to move Talin about and they had about a week of proper squabbling over greeting me at the gate etc. It took a week and a few solid kicks both ways before Talin finally gave in and acccepted Henry as leader, but their squabbles were only if they thought I might have food for example, the rest of the time they just got on with eating and seeping.
Now, the two of them are best buddies, they play rough, but it's a two way thing, both of them regularly have scrapes and nip marks but they both love playing rough and it's a joy to watch. If Talin gets too big for his boots Henry only has to turn his backside towards Talin and Talin takes the hint and behaves.
On the other hand, Talin has been an utter horror to other horses recently, and it's plain to see because if you stand and watch everything about him is dominant, he stands right up arching his neck, squaring up to the new horse(s), will strike out with his fronts and will keep trying to move them about and won't pack it in even when they're being very submissive.
In the two different scenarios the body language and interaction is very different.
Talin always used to be a complete wuss and would just stand and let others bit chunks out of him, at the first yard I had him at he was liternally never free from scabs and wounds.
When Henry moved in with him I was shocked to see Talin telling Henry where to go when Henry tried to move Talin about and they had about a week of proper squabbling over greeting me at the gate etc. It took a week and a few solid kicks both ways before Talin finally gave in and acccepted Henry as leader, but their squabbles were only if they thought I might have food for example, the rest of the time they just got on with eating and seeping.
Now, the two of them are best buddies, they play rough, but it's a two way thing, both of them regularly have scrapes and nip marks but they both love playing rough and it's a joy to watch. If Talin gets too big for his boots Henry only has to turn his backside towards Talin and Talin takes the hint and behaves.
On the other hand, Talin has been an utter horror to other horses recently, and it's plain to see because if you stand and watch everything about him is dominant, he stands right up arching his neck, squaring up to the new horse(s), will strike out with his fronts and will keep trying to move them about and won't pack it in even when they're being very submissive.
In the two different scenarios the body language and interaction is very different.