Post by smartypant3 on Oct 14, 2014 21:54:09 GMT 1
Hi there,
I've just moved yards and am starting to introduce my 5 year old mare to the herd. Ive owned her for 4 years and during this time she has either been turned out alone (with others around her) or with one other and she has been very settled and happy.
Weve introduced her to the established mare of the herd who she got on great with, no squealing or kicking just sniffed and grazed. Great. We then introduced one of the dominant geldings who threatened her and the usual herd pecking ensured. Him trying to keep his mare away from mine and after a while they settled and all was well. The three went out yesterday the two mares out first and then the gelding - small squabbles nothing major a little running around later in the day as to be expected. Today, my mare and the gelding went out first and they were fine, off down the field together (I think he's learning his place). When the second mare went out, my girl wouldn't let the gelding near her. She kept 'herding' her away from him not letting the mare settle. The gelding stayed out of the way. There was no kicking or biting it appeared to be just pure possessiveness. 'She's my friend now not yours' in the human world.
I've not witnessed this type of behaviour from a new herd member into an existing one before? Is it normal? Could it be because my girl has never learnt herd behaviour and sees the mare as her friend and has become possessive towards her?
We were thinking of trying another gelding in with them tomorrow to see whether that helps at all. We're trying to do the right thing by introducing the herd slowly to her but don't want to upset any of them in the process if we can help it.
I hope that makes sense. Thoughts and advice gratefully received
x
I've just moved yards and am starting to introduce my 5 year old mare to the herd. Ive owned her for 4 years and during this time she has either been turned out alone (with others around her) or with one other and she has been very settled and happy.
Weve introduced her to the established mare of the herd who she got on great with, no squealing or kicking just sniffed and grazed. Great. We then introduced one of the dominant geldings who threatened her and the usual herd pecking ensured. Him trying to keep his mare away from mine and after a while they settled and all was well. The three went out yesterday the two mares out first and then the gelding - small squabbles nothing major a little running around later in the day as to be expected. Today, my mare and the gelding went out first and they were fine, off down the field together (I think he's learning his place). When the second mare went out, my girl wouldn't let the gelding near her. She kept 'herding' her away from him not letting the mare settle. The gelding stayed out of the way. There was no kicking or biting it appeared to be just pure possessiveness. 'She's my friend now not yours' in the human world.
I've not witnessed this type of behaviour from a new herd member into an existing one before? Is it normal? Could it be because my girl has never learnt herd behaviour and sees the mare as her friend and has become possessive towards her?
We were thinking of trying another gelding in with them tomorrow to see whether that helps at all. We're trying to do the right thing by introducing the herd slowly to her but don't want to upset any of them in the process if we can help it.
I hope that makes sense. Thoughts and advice gratefully received
x