Dominant gelding, aargh!

[Amaretto]

So tonight, my 5yo gelding was turned out with a mare and new horse to the yard, also a gelding. My horse has met the new one in the field previously and they had a 'conversation' but no fur flying, then they got on fine.

My boy is fairly new to the place too. But tonight was horrible; the newer gelding galloped full out at him, ears flat back, and gave him both back barrels 3 or 4 times. My horse decided not to run for cover and stood there letting it happen, because he was protecting 'his' mare (who has come in season).

Anyway, no harm done after checking the boys, but I moved my horse to another field as I was so afraid that some damage might be done if he was left in the field with the new gelding. He trotted happily down that field, no issues, started grazing quietly. There are other mares in there with him, it's just this particular mare that he has attached himself to (not literally, lol)! But I don't think those mares in the field I have moved him to are in season atm.

In your experience, do dominant geldings actually sort out their differences, or is it a recipe for disaster turning them out together when mares are in season? My boy was cut just before his 3rd birthday and has just turned 5. Previous yard was all geldings, and there were no such issues then. And, do your dominant geldings change moods/behaviour when the mares come in season in a mixed group?

I am going to speak with the yard owner about keeping a geldings only field, which I think he will go with....but really interested in your views regarding mixed groups and dominant geldings. Thanks!

 

[soupdragon71]

Really think mares and geldings should be kept separate, especially at this time of year, when mares are coming into their strongest seasons. Even just geldings together you will get a 'pecking order' fight to start with. Very interesting how they sort it out, as my old horse while at a livery yard realised that another gelding was definetely in charge so he kept in with him - 'i'll be your best mate and stand up for you'. When i moved him home with 2 less dominant geldings he has become a bit power crazed and is definetely in charge. The other 2 couldn't care less, but i'm sure if you put him back in the situation he was in he would revert back to being submisssive to the herd leader. They are not stupid!! He is also the biggest tart with mares - they couldn't care less about him but he really thinks he's something special!!

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Are these horses shod? If so you need to separate them asap before one of them sustains a serious injury. I, too, feel that mares and geldings should be kept separately. We keep our mares at home. There are geldings in adjoining fields and there is often quite a lot of squealing but there are walls between them all. When we were on a livery yard we watched one of our mares almost kill a gelding, which they had all lived very happily with over the winter. Fortunately she was so near to the boundary wall that she couldn't quite take the step back that she needed to keep her balance as she stood on her back legs, preparatory to striking at his head, with both front hooves. We separated them immediately.

 

[Amaretto]

Are these horses shod? If so you need to separate them asap before one of them sustains a serious injury. I, too, feel that mares and geldings should be kept separately. We keep our mares at home. There are geldings in adjoining fields and there is often quite a lot of squealing but there are walls between them all. When we were on a livery yard we watched one of our mares almost kill a gelding, which they had all lived very happily with over the winter. Fortunately she was so near to the boundary wall that she couldn't quite take the step back that she needed to keep her balance as she stood on her back legs, preparatory to striking at his head, with both front hooves. We separated them immediately.

Just to clarify, the mares don't give a toss, it's the boys who are stating their claim. Also wondering if it is a 'new horse' thing, as both geldings are pretty new to the yard.