field problems

[bikina]

How long does it take for horses to settle? Mine arrived on Tuesday, and although y/o promised he would have a field on his own, was put in to a field with 4 others. I wasn't keen on this but y/o said there was nowhere else for him to go. I have since bought up the subject and said I want him to be moved, as there is a lot of kicking, biting and squealing going on and I am afraid that either they will damage him or vice versa. Y'o still won't budge and says that they will soon settle. What would you do?

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

It's not an ideal situation but when any new horse is introduced to a group they have to work out the pecking order. There will be a few kicks exchanged, but that's horses being horses. I would imagine that it will quieten down by today as they will have sorted things out & things will be normal & calm again.

 

[stencilface]

Ours are normally separated for anything up to 2 months from our 'herd' when we get them - depending on how they settle and how dominant they are. This is because we have one very bossy pony with quick feet (although he does avoid actually kicking - he doesn't want to hurt himself!) and a great gallumping horse (sorry sis!!) who doesn't quite know where his feet are - esp if he's running down hill!

It normally takes a few weeks for them to settle once they ahve been mixed, but this depends on how close the 'herd' is and many dissenters there are that will dare talk to the new one. Also depends on where ion the pecking order the new horse wants to be. With more mild horses it might not be so hard. As long as they are all horse wise (ie they know to avoid heels) they might calm down soon.

Kicking and squealing more often than not is just a warning, none of them actually want to fight.

 

[bikina]

Thanks for that, has put my mind at ease. Hopefully they will have worked out whos who today. Hypothetically, if one of them did catch another with teeth or hooves, then what would you do?

 

[kellyeaton]

if was mine i would put in a field next door if you can let them sniff and stuff i would neva but mine out with more than one cause your horse will get pushed and shuffed around coz he his the last in the field and all the other horses would of bonded you should say to your y/o that she said you could have a field alone and you want one alone thats why you moved!