Mixing Colts & Geldings

[Footlights]

I have also posted this in the breeding forum, but feel it may be more appropriate in here, so please accept my apologies if you have already read it:

Does anyone have any experiences of mixing colts with geldings? And if so, what is your opinion of it?

I ask this, as I am looking to move my gelding to a yard where the only horses that stay out all year round (like he does) are the colts. The owner said she didn't see why he couldn't join the colts over the winter so he had some company at night time, but I don't have any experience of doing this.

 

[flyingfeet]

The older geldings are usually boss of the colts, so shouldn't be any problem with this

The only thing to bear in mind is that they like to play, so can leave bald patches if you are showing and if winter may well trash your rugs - so you will need ones which are over 1,000 denier usually!

 

[Enfys]

Colts with stallion, no problem:

Colt with gelding : The gelding is the troublemaker!

Colts with gelding, no trouble:

On the whole I find that the older horses, be that gelding, or stallion, keep the youngsters in line and teach them manners. A few 'Mind your manners' type hearty nips are neither here nor there, it happens, it needs to happen. Real bullying bites are another matter and that sort of thing needs to be monitored. Geldings are generally more playful than mares anyway and often enjoy having playmates. I have an old, doddery Paint gelding (last photo) that got bullied in practically every group we tried him with, when his field mate left we put him with the babies and he has turned out to be a perfect 'Uncle' to the colts, not only have they got a mentor they adore, but it has rejuvenated the old boy as well.

I wouldn't see a problem in the gelding + colts arrangement.

 

[Dolcé]

We purposely keep a bolshy gelding in with our 3 stallions full time to keep them in hand. Our 3, as colts, ran with the rest of the herd and so understand their place in the pecking order and we can mix and match as we need to. One of the stallions is a little bit aggressive to the others occasionally and he will be gelded because of this, not a nice trait! I suppose introductions, depending on the age of the colts, may be a bit hairy but once that is sorted I can't see a problem.

 

[Montys_Mum]

We have two colts in our field of 3 large geldings and theres no problem, the colts are at the bottom of the pack but the only problem is if your showing cause the colts love to play with my horse so have a few nibbles and scratches on him and like to hold onto his tail.

 

[eirewhisper]

I keep my yearling colt with my older gelding. The older one keeps him in his place and has taught him some things over winter.Theres no trouble as such. The only thing with "playing" is that the youngster is very handy with his teeth and shreds all rugs/chews the ears off my older horse!

 

[Stinkbomb]

My 5 yr old stallion is out with my gelding. Gelding definatley the boss!!!

 

[GingerCat]

I used to keep my adult gelding and 3 year old colt with 3 adult stallions and two other colts. There was some rough play amongst the colts, but nothing that caused any injury apart from the odd nip mark, The older stallion kept them in line by posturing rather than physical contact.
I think it is as a result of this time with such a laid back 'mentor', that my colt (once gelded) could keep a field full of much larger horses (he was only 11.3hh) in line by just pulling one of his many faces and snaking his head at them.
My gelding has been used as an 'Uncle' to teach colts manners on several occasions, but he is not as patient as the old stallion used to be.
I think it's only when mares are brought into the equation that boys (both colts and geldings) get antisocial.