Grumpy paddock mate

[TheFarmIsFull]

Our old girl nicknamed the red dragon is a truely lovely mare. She is safe as anything with the perfect touch of fire. However.....
She can be really nasty to her paddock mates. Like ears back grumpy, bites and threatens to kick. Her main role is to be a paddock mate so I’d like to avoid separating her and if I did separate her she would have to stay behind hot tape which she will happily go over to get where she wants to go.
Any ideas on how I can help her be less grumpy towards others?
I was told maybe a fly veil/ mask in the paddock but I wonder if she’s a bit clever for that. I was also told regumare but I’d think she’s a bit old for that and while she still cycles that’s probably when she’s nicest ?
My young girl who we lost recently tolerated her well and just ignored her but the gelding she is with is a big sook.

 

[meleeka]

It’s horses unfortunately. I have a mare who is finally calming down after being in the same field with the same horses for two years. I’ve never owned one before who’s first instinct is to kick the others. She’s big too so it was dangerous, but she’s finally learnt that a flick of the ear is just as effective.

I’d say if she has a constant herd she will learn not to go so far, but the I think the likelihood is she’ll always be a bit bossy.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

We eventually separated our fighters when they actually came to (unshod, fortunately) blows. They were both absolutely fine with other field companions.

 

[HashRouge]

Is she always like that or is it heightened when there is food around? Is it all bark no bite, or is the other horse at risk of injury?
I have a fabulously grouchy old mare and she is always extremely dramatic when I put hay out or at feed time, but she and her companion get on famously the rest of the time, and can't bear to be separated.

 

[TheFarmIsFull]

Is she always like that or is it heightened when there is food around? Is it all bark no bite, or is the other horse at risk of injury?
I have a fabulously grouchy old mare and she is always extremely dramatic when I put hay out or at feed time, but she and her companion get on famously the rest of the time, and can't bear to be separated.

Mostly at feed time but they are separated until they finish their feed because she doesn’t get as much.
She will bite if the horse doesn’t get out of her way but it’s mostly threats like ears pinned back and head up. We even went for a ride the other day and I went to pass hubby who was on her and she threatened us every time we tried to go in front. She’s also like this when saddling her.
I have only seen her actually try and kick once when I used the Flexi feed tub to soak my young girls foot in the paddock and she thought it had feed in it and backed up and booted out.
She wasn’t as bad with the young one but I think she was a sandwich short and nothing and no one worried her. Whereas the gelding is a bit more cautious.
They do have good grazing with plenty of room to separate themselves but it’s when they both want to go to the trough or at feed time when it happens

 

[HashRouge]

I shouldn't worry too much about what she's like in the field if it is mainly when they are getting fed. I'd be a bit wary of her doing it when being tacked up though and would be considering something like ulcers.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I would suspect ulcers, too but I would ask the rider to take control so that I could pass when riding.