Horse bullying

[Smurf]

I need some advice. I have a new pony to accompany Vinnie my youngster. Sapphire has gone , so its Vinnie and Hugo now. Hugo is delightful, a real gem but cannot stick up for himself in any way at all. Vinnie chases him around the field, ears back, looking very bolshy and poor Hugo sprints away, spins on a six pence and looses vinnie at this vinnie stops and continues grazing. They were introduced gradually and at first all was fine but i really dont know what to do. Hugo doesn't have a prize bit of grass Vinnie wants, it doesn't seem to matter what hugo is doing Vinnie will chase him.

They have been together just over a week now, i would think the pecking order has been established and having worked in yards before ive never really noticed horses chasing and chasing each other like Vinnie chases Hugo.

Can anyone recommend any solutions :D

[black crow]

Usually a pecking order can take longer to settle, especially when two horses are more on the same level. It is usually those who are quite high and quite low, who settle first. As its a case of, im the boss, understood? and problem solved. [I love horse psychology :D]

I think if there was going to be some serious aggression then you would have already seen it.

This actually sounds exactly like what happened with Spud and Rowan.

Until i went to the livery yard, Spud had always been added to a field with an established herd. This ment he went straight to the bottom and was bullied. He went to the last yard i was at, and he was given a field of his own. This automatically puts him at the top. The first pony i introduced, wanted to be dominant. Spud didnt like this as he was the boss of the field, so they constantly chased and snapped at eachother.

Pony went home, and Rowan came along. Spud was still quite playful in his ways, and having Rowan, a youngster there, automatically put him at the bottom of their pecking order, however this didnt stop Rowan trying to play, which Spud would ignore and would try and chase him away. No agrression, but he was trying to make it clear it was his field.

Spud also showed jealousy, and wouldnt let Rowan near me at all, which became a problem.

I seperated them, so they could still see eachother, and they stayed this way for two months. Because Spud had not been trying to kick Rowan, only nip and bite, i put a grazing mask on Spud the first time they went in the field together. Being muzzled and also having seen Rowan for two months over the fence, ment Spud had got used to the fact Rowan was there, and they would graze together.

They settled in together and Spud was only muzzled that one time. Spud still chases him off and around the field, however Spud is still very playful and babyish in his ways, which means he and Rowan still have their fun, and Spud does still lead their group, however they get on fine now.

So really, i would seperate them and let them see eachother for a while. Hope that helps!

[My Crazy Clan]

6 boys! I know the feeling, some horses take longer then others to settle.

Sapphire used to put Vinnie in his place? (did you say before?) this littlen is not, so hes making the most of being boss, I would give them another week or so, if no change use electric fencing.

I also find it can be jealousy.

[Smurf]

Emm- Vinnie is 2.

Rhea - yes Sapphire did put vinnie in his place.

Thanks for the advice, vinnie is being a little ****! I'll see how they get on over the next week and then possibly separate them if things dont inprove. They can be in fields side by side.

[vels mum]

Lee id just persevere, I think Vinnie will always want to be top of the peking order and once he no longer see's Hugo as a threat hopefully he will accept him as a friend, could he also be blaming Hugo for Saf leaving (perhaps thats a little complex for a horses way of thinking?)