How long to determine pecking order before you split up?

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katymay

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My lovely boys pony Patch arrived home after a summer share and my new boy Roo arrived Saturday! Roo has settled in brilliantly, happy to be stabled even though he hasn't before, enjoying being pampered and getting to know his new surroundings, he has been turned out in a small fenced area since he arrived because the grass is so long where it hasn't been touched all summer, and Patch (who lives out) has been staying in a small fenced off area around the stable that has no grass so he can interact with Roo but I can begin to try and get some fat off him. As Roo has now eaten down the area he was on I decided to turn Patch out with him for a bit, Roo it seems is a bit of a bully and chased Patch around a fair bit and they both turned their rear ends on each other and kicked out, neither seemed to make contact and feel it was more of a warning kick, then they would settle down and eat, before the whole cycle of ears back and chase off began again, neither are wearing shoes, and luckily they are at home so I could keep an eye on them all day, there were a few periods where they seemed friendly enough. Should I persevere with it? are they just sorting the pecking order or are they safer apart? Thank you in advance :)
 
Well they are safer apart but is it fair , I wrestle with this dilemma often and usually take the view that the company of there fellows is worth the risk .
I have had horses who I did not turn out with others and I avoid mixed sex groups but generally I take the chance .
I would expect in three days your boys will be settled .
 
i would give it a week. especially with no shoes not that much damage can be done. in the long run i'm sure they will be happier in together
 
Hmmm I know what you are going through.

One of mine is very bossy in the field but equally hates being on his own. When we bought our new chap there was a lot of face pulling and he did lift a leg a couple of times, but luckily didn't make contact.

We made sure they were turned out in a large field with plenty of grass as a distraction, and had plenty of space to get away from each other.

The new horse quickly realised the warning signs and a few weeks on they are getting on fine and although the dominant cob is still a bit pushy, the other horse knows not to wind him up and they happily graze side by side most of the time.
 
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I'd give it a few days. I'd also be tempted to put them on the grassiest field short term so they are more focused on scoffing grass than causing trouble!
 
I keep mine in a herd. There are more arguments when they are hungry, so if possible turn out on a new bit where they both have plenty to eat and its a new space so they have to rely on each other.
 
Hmm I have just had the same problem with a new livery, very quiet cob mare & an existing pony mare, had planned to put them together. The pony was periodically bullying the cob, lot of noise & bucking out at each other, no shoes on either then it would go quiet for a few days then just when i thought they had settled the pony cornered the cob & pushed her thru the fence. So spilt them, two weeks on tried them again in a big grassy field & same thing happened happened pony kept chasing & bullying the cob, as the cob is older & semi retired & the pony a fiesty little thing I have called it aday & they are now in separate fields which is a shame as the cob was happy to be friends but the pony was just not having it.
 
amymay said:
How much space do they have??
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This. It is more tricky if it is a small area and may not work. Fence off corners so that no one can get cornered.

Full tummies make for more chilled horses so hopefully there is still decent grazing there? Hay piles can set up jealousy problems.

It's always a fraught time introducing new field mates, I'm afraid.
 
I would guess its due to the lack of grass! can they have some hay? my mare gets really bossy when there's nothing to eat! otherwise she's lovely and all the other horses become obsessed with her!
 
I have a track system with my 3 ponies and 1 grazer who are an integrated herd. A new grazer arrived and was in a paddock adjacent to the track for several days before I added her to that area. A lot of galloping around, some aggression from one of my ponies and a good kick from the new girl....she established herself in one area and a week later had grazed it out. Instead of following the herd and gradually getting closer she was still an independent! So I have put her in her own area and unless things change I anticipate her having her area separate from the rest of them....Unless I can integrate them 1 at a time into her area...so this is an experiment that is ongoing....imo you need to assess each situation individually and make a judgement call...electric fences are great! Easily changed and moved - as long as the horses respect them! Good luck!
 
amymay said:
How much space do they have??
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to be honest Amy probably not enough initially, that's the problem when you have an extremely fat pony who lives on fresh air, I cant turn them out in a bigger paddock together yet until Roo has eaten most of it down, although Im going to look for a muzzle later:) I think Roo was probably being over protective of his grass, his old owner did tell me he could be bargy and possessive over food but I presumed that was with humans but he has been good as gold in the stable when I bring his feed in, he happily moves out of the way and lets me give him a good scratch! Patch has gone back in his scratch paddock now with some hay they can see each other and touch over the fence so I will probably keep it that way until its safe to turn Patch out on the grass, I would rather they stay companions than best buddies as Patch and his old companion were inseperable, used to cry for each other if one went out of sight, it was a nightmare at shows! thank you all x
 
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