Can youngsters play too hard?

[WelshD]

I have two Welsh A ponies, going by official new year ages they are 2 and 4

They have always liked to play but when moved to fresh grazing and more room they are now playing quite rough with each other

Today I saw the younger one with his legs over the older one (not like trying to mount him - sideways over his back) and the older one tried to canter away but fell quite heavily and the other fell on top of him

I've also seen them fall just while cantering about and swerving and the older one kicks right at the head of the younger one sometimes

I know play is normal but just worried they are getting a bit rough. I guess there isnt much I can do about it though so a bit of a pointless post!

 

[PandorasJar]

Mine have done all of the above from youngsters and the rearing over eachother (only time mine has booted something when my ohs lump came down on her) to falling over (from youngsters to a very embarrassed retired broodie last weekend) to running into each other (most of them move as one herd then one will suddenly stop looking gormless in the middle).

No damage yet (expected it with broodies spectacular arse over tit)

Nothing I've seen has gone beyond play to nasty or short tempered (bar an oldie telling the youngsters to quit it when on the wind up) so I'm happy with them being horses. If the worst should happen I can accept that it would be an accident and better than the guilt of the damage my mare managed when stabled away from the herd.

With rough play I'd avoid rugs and shoes if possible but beyond that if not nasty and they know it stops when I'm next to them, I leave them be. If it went on and became nasty then I'd separate, that's when I've seen some major damage.

 

[Spring Feather]

My older youngsters all do this. Once they're around 18 months old it starts The foals under 12 months never do it, they're quiet as church mice, but then they too hit 18 months old and they inevitably start playing like that too. I've never had any injured either.

 

[KSR]

Mine rough house a lot, even the teenagers.. My two 3 year old CBs and my 5yo welsh A are worst..

They rear, race, double barrel, slam into each other hard, bite, bring each other to their knees and knock them right over etc..

This is the latest injury of my 3yo CBs sheath by my welsh As teeth, pair of knobbers

The morning I found it 18/02/13

Yesterday 04/03/13

Par for the course unless I split the 5 of them all up..