Field chums

[Stinkbomb]

Inky and my friends pony ( 12.2hh ) share a field thats about 1 acre ( i think ) They have been together since i got him in August last year and they havent been out with any other horses. At the moment in time Inky is out during the day and in at night basically because he is getting too fat. Here is a picture of the quality of grass we have even after using it through the winter.

I think this is too much and rich for them and have suggested we graze more horses on it. The YO has 2 yearling section b's who he says we can use if we want. The problem is my friend isnt too happy about it. I think it would be good because i would love at some point to put Inky out 24/7 but if the grass doesnt go down this wont be possible. I think it would do Inky good to mix with other youngsters as his field mate doesnt really play with him. We also have problems when one of us wants to bring our horse in and we always have to bring them both in. My friend just doesnt seem to like to share things and says she is frightened the yearlings will attack and mark her pony!!???
Am i right about adding more horses for the above reasons and should i stick to my guns???? Or should i go with what my friend says. I realise adding new horses can be difficult but im sure once they have settled they will be fine. For me the pro's of adding them far outweigh the cons.
Sorry for the long post but im really worried at the moment about laminitis and that Inky may not be getting the chance to develop as a baby and have the necessary social life for a youngster!

 

[Natalie_H]

I think it is a good idea to introduce others. Horses are herd animals & although there may be a few scuffles to start with, they sort themselves out soon enough. I also think you are right that it will be good for Inky to socially interact with other horses as part of his development. My horse shares with my Mum's horse on my Mum's land. They are the only ones there, and it causes problems when I want to take him out on my own as Mum's horses suffers with separation anxiety. As you have so much grass, it would be a great opportunity to get him socialising with others!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

Oh! Inky is soo gorgeous!

sorry.... okay, I think that being a part of a herd is VERY important for babies. They learn manners, how to develop natural horse behaviour, and so much more.

Can you strip graze or muzzle him at all? I know dinky rugs do tiny tiny muzzles.

TBH i would emphasise the fact that Inky needs playmates, and the be part of a herd, but also emphasise to your friend that her pony will probably become alpha and will be doing a fab job in keeping the babies in check.

Very rarely youngsters do chew tails, so keep an eye out for this.

If your friend really objects then ask YO if you can borrow a few sheep from somewhere. They're so fab at keeping the grass down, and won't interfere with the horses. PLUS when you bring Inky in, you can leave the other pony out as it'll have the sheep as company.
G is now best buddies with his ewe. I think he'd be heartbroken if she left.

 

[Stinkbomb]

xxKatyxx... We could strip graze but to be honest the grass is soooo good he would get fat in the meantime!!!! The other thing making me think about the youngsters is that Inky can be quite difficult sometimes, always wanting to play and it got me thinking. I was watching the two foals play and they seem to be having a really good time. I have never really seen Inky play like they did and thought maybe he just needs something the same age ( albeit different size! ) to be a proper baby with. His field mate just pulls his face when Inky tries to play. If he had something to play with he might not take his frustrations out on me!!! Putting the foals out just seemed to kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

By playing with other youngsters he;ll also learn how far he can push...bith man and beast. I had a youngster on loan to break last year and he was with a small herd for a couple of months. It really changed him mentally. He became much more confident of his surroundings, confident with other horses, and he lost weight just playing all day. At the end of him being out with the herd, i changed yards, and backed him etc. He went to have the winter off, and is now hacking out on his own. His owner cannot believe the change in him. he's no longer a bolshy cocky little baby, he's grown up mentally.

Deffo try and get him grazibng with these other yougsters, It'll do him the world of good. Just one word of warning, be prepared for him to get bossed about, and maybe the odd kick. it sounds harsh, but it's what happens, and really is part of his education of being a part of a herd.

 

[Stinkbomb]

TBH Katy think it will do him good, he is far too cocky for something his size!!!! Do you think it would calm him down then? I do think that he is lacking a proper playmate thats why when i try and do some work with him/ lead him etc he tries jumping all over me!!! Was hoping he could take his frustrations out on someone else!!!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

well, the little pony I was breaking seemed to chill alot. It may have been a mixture of things though. he arrived and I gave him time to settle than started work with him. Sometimes he'd leap all over me, but once he'd settled into the herd he seemed to quieten down.

TBH, the things is with these little horses is they really ARE (and I know I keep saying it, but it's true), big horses in little bodies. G can be a sod. One of the worst I've ever had to work with on the ground. He'll leap and buck and rear. And he's almost 10!! You have to use alot of body language, square up to him if he comes at you, and always reward the good behaviour. People say don't tit bit, but somone introduced me to herbal treats and they really do try for them! G isnt nippy now he has those as rewards, he gets one if he does as he's asked and if he doesnt do it, well, we keep trying until he does do it. Don't expect miracles. Say oneday you're leading him, and teaching him to trot inhand..... and he does a few steps of trot.... don't push it, don't think "oh he's doe a few steps, lets try for whole line", just stop after the first few steps and reward him. If you push for a whole line he may play up, and that's negative. take him in, groom him and turn him out. With the positive thing being the last thing he's done in that session he'll then stand in that field and think about it. Seriously, he'll ponder what he did SO good to deserve work to stop and him to get a treat. It makes for slow progress, but it works for us...

 

[Stinkbomb]

very good advice Katy... He's not doing too bad, he has his off days but then i tend to get stressed so i just finish and leave it till another day. I really do think once he has something else to play with he will change ( maybe wishful thinking!!!! ) I am going to tell her tomorrow that i think we should do it. Inky cant go on in life having only been out with one other horse. I agree they are big horses in little bodies!!!! Makes me laugh people just dont get it. I was at a show last week and a lady came upto me and said "oh how cute, what is he?" and proceeded to kneel down right in front of his face. I told her not to do that as if she did he would try and mount her and she walked off disgusted!!!! They are cute but only sometimes!!!! LOL!!!!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

LMAO. people are forever coming up to us and thinking they can just pat G and let their kids run round him. He looks so innocent

.

Word of advise from one whose learnt the hard way. if things arent going well on a 'session' then get him to do something he CAN do. never end a session on him not getting something right. End of session for him means the last thing he did was obviously good and you obviously liked it, as you let him stop work! Even if you just get him to stand up for you at the end, it's something positive he can take away and think "She liked that and I liked doing that...i got to stop work".

Good luck with him!!