LHIS
Well-Known Member
I have recently ventured into plural pony ownership, and apart from the issues with finding them somewhere to live whilst we wait to move, it has been quite easy.
However, I have noticed my gelding that I had first is starting to exhibit what I assume is jealousy.
It started a couple of days ago when he was positioning himself rather close to me as I was pottering around the field, and then when I was grooming and fussing my new gelding he would come over and ask to be fussed too, whilst scowling a bit. He doesn't try to see the new lad off, but definitely seems to show behaviour of 'I want what he's getting'.
My original gelding is definitely the dominant one, and my new lad doesn't seem to be bothered about challenging this.
This morning I fed them and for the first time my original gelding had a go at bossing me about over food. I feed them separately (though in the same field as I have no means to split them up at the moment), original gelding scoffs his then comes over and moves the new lad off his breakfast. I removed the second breakfast opportunity and tried to let the new lad finish his brekkie, at which point original gelding swings his bum at me and does a half hearted buck in my direction. I gave him a slap on the shoulder (and will be bringing my lunging whip with me tomorrow) and growled at him. I will not stand for that and will nip this in the bud right away and will do some reminding of manners with him.
My question is, how do you handle your horses that show jealous behaviour? Both get equal attention and prior to grooming and fussing my new lad I gave my other one a groom and fuss.
However, I have noticed my gelding that I had first is starting to exhibit what I assume is jealousy.
It started a couple of days ago when he was positioning himself rather close to me as I was pottering around the field, and then when I was grooming and fussing my new gelding he would come over and ask to be fussed too, whilst scowling a bit. He doesn't try to see the new lad off, but definitely seems to show behaviour of 'I want what he's getting'.
My original gelding is definitely the dominant one, and my new lad doesn't seem to be bothered about challenging this.
This morning I fed them and for the first time my original gelding had a go at bossing me about over food. I feed them separately (though in the same field as I have no means to split them up at the moment), original gelding scoffs his then comes over and moves the new lad off his breakfast. I removed the second breakfast opportunity and tried to let the new lad finish his brekkie, at which point original gelding swings his bum at me and does a half hearted buck in my direction. I gave him a slap on the shoulder (and will be bringing my lunging whip with me tomorrow) and growled at him. I will not stand for that and will nip this in the bud right away and will do some reminding of manners with him.
My question is, how do you handle your horses that show jealous behaviour? Both get equal attention and prior to grooming and fussing my new lad I gave my other one a groom and fuss.