Have your older horses ever helped you manage your young ones?

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SpruceRI

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2 things happened with my oldies, when my cobbie was a youngster, the most impressive was when she took a long while to get used to having rugs put on.

One day for no apparent reason she took fright, whilst tied to the fence, and had what I can only describe as a panic attack.

I couldn't get near her to grab the rug off, untie her or get to her head as she was going MAD. My Shetland who is 20yrs old stepped into the throng and nuzzled her shoulder. She immediately stood still. And bless him, he stood there reassuring her while I peeled the rug off and untied her.


The 2nd occasion, was when I couldn't catch her in the yard. She just ran round and round the trailer, thinking this was a right old game! My other mare had stood watching, obviously decided that this wasn't funny and I needed her help, so she cornered my filly between the hedge and gate so I could grab her.

Ah! What would I do without those grown-ups to help me?! ;)
 
yep! If we have a 'problem' horse we put them out with my 23yr old stroppy mare who without even a swish of the tail, just a look sorts them out! They come back in as sweeties!! We call it the 'jenny-wren treatement'!
 
indeed, my gelding who we thought was a horse hater is the best nanny!

Hes really stepped up to the job of telling her what she can and cant do, at one point she was being stubborn and wouldnt lead, we got H out he buffed her bum to get her shifting LOL he does allsorts, plus I think he really enjoys it.
 
Yes, our old TB mare Gemma was great, used to take out the youngsters I had just backed out hacking with her and she was superb at being a nanny.
My mare who is now 20 I am sure learnt a thing or two from Gemma. My mare now acts as a good nanny to the other ladies filly if she wants to take her mare out on her own etc. My mare does on the whole act as a great calming and educational force bless her
 
My friend's older ex racer was a real good influence on our young ex racer when we first got her. He was such a patient, lovely old gent and she a silly filly, she would watch everything he did. Sadly, he died unexpectedly and our horse changed overnight, as did our pony who had lived with my friend's horse since he was 2, they both learned a lot from him.
 
My TB civilized OH's pony many years ago - both when leading and in the field. OH's pony is now in charge of the two young'uns, and seems to find it very tiring lol! My TB is still the best nanny horse out hacking, and they all look up to her as she's the boss and likes to make her presence felt!
 
I've had it the other way round - when I got B as a 2yr old she was turned out with a 33yr old pony that wouldn't be caught, bit and was generally horrible to everyone and everything. B bullied her into submission and after about three weeks the pony could be caught with bribery and groomed :D I wish it had been tougher tho and taught B some manners with other horses...
 
My tb who has been described as a horse with a lack of social skills :D (he is an ex racer so little turnout and contact with others and also can't neigh) has really taken to the nanny job both with my 3 yo project and with the 7 month foal which has just gone in with him - the two youngsters follow him around like a pied piper and he will wtch over them while they have a sleep :D a look is normally enough to put them back in line and he plays with the foal as well by keeping his headcollar just out of reach of the foal who is trying to nibble his way through it :D
 
My arab gelding took my unhandled wild Exmoor foal under his wing. He taught him that buckets were good, having a headcollar on and being led wasn't going to kill him, and that people were generally nice...especially that funny lady who staggered around carrying large bundles of hay and kept slipping over in the mud.....Unfortunately I now have an Exmoor who thinks he's an arab, judging by the way they both tear round the field doing big floaty paces with their tails stuck up over their backs.
 
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