Jealous Horse - What To Do?

[legyield]

Has anyone else encountered this? I have a 2yo filly who I've had for about 18 months. She's usually lovely and good tempered. Earlier this week I bought a 5 month old filly and they share a field with a nice, mixed herd. While they got on pretty well at first, my 2yo has now been getting more and more jealous as I've been bringing them both out of the field at the same time, to handle/brush/feed. My 2yo doesnt like other horses around me full stop and is very protective in the field as it is. Today I was in a rush and sorted the foal first, and as soon as they both went back in the field my 2yo really went for her, cornered her and tried to belt her. Luckily she's shoeless (obviously) and is only 14hh.
Other than that my foal has fit in with no problems with the rest of the herd and has definitely made friends! Any ideas/suggestions? Can I settle this or just live with it?

 

[Kelly1982]

I have the same problem!! Had my mare 7 years and she has always been my only horse, until recently!!

I brought my gelding a few months back and she hates him. And she has never hated any horse!! She went to bite him the other day and caught me by mistake and she won't let him graze with her in the field. Most unlike her.

Don't know how to resolve this either, just hope they will get used to each other in time

 

[madhoss]

I had pretty much the same reaction when I introduced my 6 month old filly to my 14yo who I've owned for over 10 years. She chased her and was very nasty- for no reason- the youngster was staying away and minding her own business. I had electric fencing between them for weeks and it didn't improve and infact got worse. I obviously couldn't take the risk with a great big horse and a tiny foal but luckily had my amazing, gets on with anything, old pony to graze with the baby.

I still am unsure as to whether it was jealously or just a dislike to a youngster, but no other horse the youngster has met has taken such a violent and instant dislike to her!

 

[kerrieberry2]

ive had my mare for 11 yrs and earlier in the year when i got my 2 year old she was really mean to him and was rather jealous but I just make sure I bring her in on her own when ever possible and now they are best mates, even if he does annoy her some times! but they do love each other! I've started taking her out on her own for runs in the evening and she's absolutely loving it! obviously you cant do that with a 2 yr old but give it someone more one to one attention!

good luck but im sure in a couple of months they will be fine!

 

[Foxhunter49]

Two things - first they are establishing pecking order and will be nastier to something lower than them if they are not at the top of the pecking order.
Secondly, the bully needs to be chased off and made to realise that you are top of the pecking order and if you say the youngster is to be accepted then they have to accept it too.

 

[mirage]

Knobberpony is like this too.In the past year we have had 2 geldings and a mare come and go and she has hated them all.I'd have to be very careful going into the field when there was another pony in with her,as if they showed the slightest interest in me,she'd go for them.One poor little gelding used to neigh when he saw me walking up the track and even that was too much for Knobberpony and she'd attack him for it.I had to separate them for his safety.I don't know why she is so jealous because it isn't like she is overly affectionate towards me,and under the saddle she is fine,it is just in the field that she is a green eyed monster.

She is very odd though,not at all interested in other equines at all,they can be running up and down the fence squealing and bucking as she goes out on a hack,and she acts like they aren't there and she doesn't care if she has company or not.

Sorry,I've no advice,but maybe it is a mare thing?