Could it be a sign?

M

Moobucket

Well-Known Member
Joined
10 October 2011
Messages
368
Visit site
I have recently acquired a mini shetland as a companion for my gelding. At the moment he is in a field with a mare, and has other mares over the fence for company. I made a small paddock for the mini shetland to introduce her. Anyway, he went mental when he saw her. He started running at the fence and trying to nip her. Very out of character! Usually he's more than happy to have another mare to add to his harem! :o

It's since become a possibility that the mini shetland is in foal. I'm going to get a blood test done by the vet possible but it just occurred to me reading another thread that this might explain his behaviour?? Anyone had any experience of this?
 
Many horses just don't get Mini Shetlands to begin with but they usually settle down. Keep a fence between them until the idea surfaces that the mini might just be an equine. When you take a Mini to a show it can cause panic in one or two horses that have not seen them before.
 
I bought two miniatures last year, one of the reasons being that one of the rides I go on is past two shetlands and my cob is terrified of them, he stands and shakes. Pathetic I know but thats another story. So bought these two to see if he would get used to them, I have had them a year now and they have always been in a field next to him and my mare and I would say that it is only the last month or so that he has realised that they are not scary and will not eat him! My mare was exactly the same as yours to start with and would run at them with teeth bared my cob would stand and shake. I really don't think the big horses realise that the little ones are horses at all to start with. To be honest can't see my big horses and miniatures ever being in the same field together but you never know.
 
Moobucket said:
I have recently acquired a mini shetland as a companion for my gelding. At the moment he is in a field with a mare, and has other mares over the fence for company. I made a small paddock for the mini shetland to introduce her. Anyway, he went mental when he saw her. He started running at the fence and trying to nip her. Very out of character! Usually he's more than happy to have another mare to add to his harem! :o

It's since become a possibility that the mini shetland is in foal. I'm going to get a blood test done by the vet possible but it just occurred to me reading another thread that this might explain his behaviour?? Anyone had any experience of this?
Click to expand...

Yes, both my horses turned nasty towards a mare at my yard when she was in foal. She had previously shared a paddock with my two and they were all good friends, but shortly after she became pregnant they turned really nasty towards her. I had to separate them.
 
I still keep my mini shetland seperate as he is very dominating. If there is anything special to eat or attention to be had he thinks nothing of double barrelling any horse in his way & they NEVER come back at him so he never learns ! Still they like him to be there when they would otherwise be alone & socialise a lot over the fence.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top