Is my yearling being bullied or am I worrying for nothing ? Long sorry.

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OK last september a friend and I bought a feral weanling and she had settled really well with a mixed group of geldings, one 9yrs old the herd leader, a 24 yrs old and a three yr old. ( we tried her in a herd of her own age and because they were established she was pushed out so to speak ) All has been great until a couple of weeks ago when the herd leader came out and the 24yr old has felt obliged to take over. He can be really placid but the long winter has made him very grumpy.

They are all very well fed individually so no-one has gone hungry but a couple of weeks ago i noticed my fence and gate had been chewed and just thought she was teething until last week when it was all but destroyed overnight. So I took her in the stable to see if she chewed there but she didn't. Popped her in a paddock next to the big field, again no chewing. In fact no chewing until I tried her in the big field this morn and the 24 yrs shoowd her away from his food, then she went to the fence and chewed again. She has also been really quiet over the last couple of days and not finishing her meals ( although I accept they are pretty large ).

So I am no sure if she is chewing in the group field cos she's stressed or is she missing some nutrients in her food ( she is on ad lib hay, spillers mare and youngstock and some hoofkind chaff ) or is it just the time of year when the grass is coming through and she's not so hungry. She's not as bright in her self either, she's never been a real party girl but usually has more spark.

Am not sure what to think tbh, any thoughts.
 
Horses do chew on wood fences. But if the older horse is pushing your yearling away from food - and she then goes immediately to the fence, does this mean that there is no pile(s) of hay for her to go to?

If she is quiet she could be running a virus perhaps. Have you taken her temperature??
 
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Hi AmyMay thank for the quick answer.

Am thinking a virus may be possible but in terms of hay no they always have big haynets each so even if the old horse pushed her away there's others she could go to. I use those big trawler nets aswell so there's always plenty there.
 
I would check for any illness first - but wouldn't worry too much about bullying because from what you describe it doesn't really sound like it to me. Unless of course you see actual signs of being kicked and bitten.....
 
Well the old boy did quite go for her this am it wasn't just ears back so it may be she's upset but am gonna keep an eye on her and if she doesn't perk up a bit get her some visorbin ( sp ) or something.

If only they could talk eh.
 
My friend said it may be her teeth, adult teeth coming through so I will keep an eye on her.
 
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