2 Rigs....what to do?

[natalia]

I need some advice. My pony is a 14.2hh unconfirmed rig, hes riggy in the sense of being very possesive over mares, feed and people. He has the body of a 14.2 but thinks himself to be well over 16hh! knows his own weight advantage and will use it against you if he thinks he can, therefore he is kept as a stallion and is in his own paddock (although with other horses grazing next door to him, its just quite risky turning him out with others as when he see's red, he really will try and kill the other horse, and if you try and split them, will have no respect for any humans in the way). I had him at my work over the summer in a mixed established herd, just to see if he would settle, and he didn't, became very possesive, when any other horse was to be removed from the field he charged and wouldn't let them out the gate. For this reason I moved yards to a lovely small livery yard used to dealing with the more difficult cases! The fields are all sectioned off in to strips of an acre each. On one side of my boy is the YO's horse and her youngster, who have a who acre between them. On his other side there is a confirmed rig, these two have an acre spilt down the middle with electric fencing. On the other side of the rig, there is a field of 4 mares.
My problem is this. My boy has decided the grass is greener and keeps on jumping in with the other Rig. When in together they charge around and play quite happily together, bossing each other about in turn. When seperated they graze the fence line side by side. Although I know now they are getting on ok, I'm worried as to what would happen when the mares come in to season. The other horse is known to be funny when the mares are in season and will attack anything he's in with. My boy though has quite good manners with the ladies and although will try and herd any introders away from them, won't attack back.
We have been considering leaving them as they are together (next to the mares) now, and as the mares come in to season around the same time, moving them to my ponies normal paddock when they do, so there is 1/2 acre between groups. Has anyone had any experiances with this sort of thing? My main worry is that Troy (the other horse) will smell them in season and go over or through the fence to get to them, as he's used to being next to them and flirts all the time when its that time of year. Itsa bit of a dilema as to what to do, as these two are quite obviously friends and enjoy each others company, but I don't want to risk either, as I know how hard it can be to seperate my horse from another that hes attacking! What would anyone else do? any insights in to horse behavior?! It would almost be easier if they were full stallions as managment could be more set!

[natalia]

I forgot to mention that they can't move fields and must stay in the acre they have as the top field has crap fencing (the one YO's horses are in) and it won't hold them. The mares must also stay in the same place as they have a much larger field as ther is 4 of them.

[anon]

Get them both gelded if they are rigs
Until then - treat them as stallions

[Val (Toons&co)]

I think you are right to worry about them fighting when the mares get their seasons (round February). Even tho they are good pals now, I would not leave them together next to the field of mares knowing the rig usually attacks - especially that with 4 mares, there's bound to be always at lease one in season. It could become very nasty as your pony has lots of character and will probably respond.

What about switching fields with the YO's horse and her youngster (i.e. taking the current fencing so that they still have a whole acre)? Do you think that one mare might be enough to trigger the rig (answer is probably yes)? Otherwise, I'd just reinforce the fence between the two "rigs" to make sure they aren't together when the first seasons start. I would not take that chance. I wouldn't even take that chance with my (true) gelding Toons who gets a bit silly seeing the success he has with the ladies and will charge at those in next-door fields (even in-foal mare as she somehow must have the hormones of a gelding?), takes stallion postures and makes stallion noises (that really works on those mares LOL). Thankfully the electricity on the fences is so strong, they do their job well.

[natalia]

Thanks Val. Anon I can't geld the other as he's not mine! I also don't know if mine is a true rig or just a very riggy gelding, I don't want to start feeding hormone reducing or increasing supplements though as he's a competition pony and has a lot of fire, mainly due to to his riggy personality! I fear he would lose his inner spark and not perform as well, he's quite a show off! Basically I like his personaility and don't want to change it. I think I will say to the yard owner that I don't want them in together, and try and find mine a more suitable companion, ie a passive gelding. I will also be looking in to more formiddable fencing to keep him in! maybe a double line so its harder to jump.