Gelding stuck to me like glue! lol

[Duke1234]

Hi looking for some advice, i have a 3 year old unbroken gelding and a 14 year old mare, i have done lots of ground work with my boy in the last 6 months ready for breaking, but we have run into a bit of a problem he thinks im his possesion, i can not get near my mare without him going bonkers, they live out in a field ive had to make a fence near the gate so i can tie him safely so that i can tend to my mare, poor little girl feels so left out, but even tied he's trying to get his self tangled mini rearing spinning out of jelousy. Going in the field to check and clean waters are horrendious as she is so desperate to come and see me but he chases her away and then theres a fight, she does give it back to him but he comes out the winner. Its really starting to get dangerous now with my kids in the field to. I do tell him off but it clearly isnt making a difference. Any advice is greatly welcome ive had it up to here lol.

 

[Lippyx]

What if you do some groundwork with your mare, with him tied up, watching? He needs to learn you are not HIS, and maybe the only way is to let him just get on with it, and throw a hissy fit, whilst you "work" with your mare? Can you split the field in two, and separate them?

 

[POLLDARK]

I say separate them asap. Use electric fencing if nothing else is possible. You must to something for everyones sake, including the mare for her safety & to stop the geldings very real stress.

 

[Duke1234]

The field has 2 parts to it fenced into 2 but no gate between, i will get my husband to make a gate and see if seperation works, ive never had a horse so clingy lol he really is like a dog haha, My son rides my mare he's 8, i have to catch my little tear away first so he can get her, tack up and ride, But yes i think your right if he sees me doing thing with her it might make his little brain tick over. lol

 

[Tinypony]

Do you give treats? In this case if you do, I'd stop. If they're hoping for treats everytime they see you that would be one way to maybe cause this behaviour. Much as he loves you, it's likely that he thinks he's missing out on something if he's behaving like this.

 

[Duke1234]

I am guilty of the odd treat yes, maybe i need to stop that 2 i dont do it everytime but i wont tell porkys and say i dont coz i do i will nip that in the bum 2 thank you tinypony.

 

[Tinypony]

No treats, none at all, not from you, children or anyone. Also, you mention this is dangerous with your children in the field. It certainly is, so it would be a really good idea not to have them in the field while this is going on.