Mares and geldings

[dwi]

Do they settle when they get used to being in together or do they stay a nightmare?

I've been on yards in the past where it hasn't been a problem so I know it can work but ours are really testing us at the moment.

We've put my friend's gelding in a field with our two mares and separated them off with electric fencing so that they can sniff over the fence for a few days before we put them in together. It's sent all three of them mad. Lil is a tarty, squirting little trollop, FB is being stroppy and IB, the normally quiet and well behaved happy hacker, thinks he's a complete stud muffin and is being very difficult.

Do they settle down after a while or are we going to have to go through this every time they come into season?

 

[Moggy in Manolos]

I think it can really depend.
My mare is fine with all sorts but we had a problem with one gelding who just became more and more aggressive towards her so I had to remove her from the situation. A lot will live happily together but some never will

 

[milliepops]

I think it can really depend.
My mare is fine with all sorts but we had a problem with one gelding who just became more and more aggressive towards her so I had to remove her from the situation. A lot will live happily together but some never will

^^ this, in my experience. The mares on my yard are pretty easy going and will turn out with anything. Mine is a slapper but doesn't cause any trouble

However, my friend's gelding was not safe to turn out with anything really if there was a mare in sniffing distance. He would mount the mares and beat up any other geldings. That's the only one that we've ever had trouble with at my yard - and I've been there for 14 years.