Evil Mare!!

[Potato!]

Well I introduced a new pony into my little herd last Saturday. It turns out that my Mare absolutely hates him and spends all over her time running at him with her ears flat back chasing him away and the rest of her time making sure that the other member of the herd doesn’t talk to him under any circumstances. I feall feel for the new pony as all he wants to do is to be liked by her.

As far as she is concerned they were happy as the two of them as there is no need for three and that 3 is most definitely a crowd. She is an insecure mare and shows that through being as dominant as the can, but she has gotten so attached to the old pony that there is no way that I can take the old pony away as she would go nuts and cause injury to herself or others. She is acting like the old pony is her foal. She has been like this towards other horses when she had her foal in the early days but this is a 20yo pony and she is on regumate.

Do you think she will settle in the end or is she always going to be a complete *****.


ETA She is a lovely mare to ride and not at all nappy when out and I hack out alone and in company

 

[Tickles]

Were they introduced over a fence first? Is it possible to take a step back and put the new one next to the others for a while? Then introduce him to the others one-by-one? I forget which way around it is supposed to go... maybe to the less dominant first?
If you're worried abt one being alone do it at a time you'd normally have the other out for a ride or similar anyway? (But stable it or similar if possible so you can keep an eye on the new introduction.)

 

[Potato!]

Yes they were introduced over the fence first and new pony was with old pony for 3 weeks before they were all in together. If I put Mare in stable she literally comes over the door.

 

[Wagtail]

I would separate them for at least a week in paddocks next to one another. Then I would put your mare in with the new pony (it will be his territory then and he will not be invading hers) and leave your old pony next to them on his own for a couple of days befor letting him join them. Good luck

 

[JingleTingle]

I would separate them for at least a week in paddocks next to one another. Then I would put your mare in with the new pony (it will be his territory then and he will not be invading hers) and leave your old pony next to them on his own for a couple of days befor letting him join them. Good luck

Exactly this - has always worked Ok with introducing newbies to the most dominant in the herd.

 

[Potato!]

Mare will not tolerate even being on the other side of the fence to old pony. She just spends all of her time either charging up and down the fence and trying to get over it

 

[Wagtail]

Mare will not tolerate even being on the other side of the fence to old pony. She just spends all of her time either charging up and down the fence and trying to get over it

Then I think you might have to bite the bullet and put old pony in stable for a couple of days. It will be hard but worth it in the end. The other thing you could try is taking your mare and the new pony out for a drive in the trailer. This often results in a strong bond developing in a very short time.

 

[Potato!]

The way she would change her opinion of him would be when she comes into season as she is such a tart but im not sure if that would be a good idea.