My Gelding hates my new rescue pony - feeling sad!

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cavalier123

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So I have taken on the cutest rescue pony as a company for my gelding. He arrived today and my gelding hates him! And, I am worried, if it will work out! I know I need to give them time and I will, but given Williams past behavioiur, I am concerned...

I have had my gelding on loan for about 6 months, when I got him I already had my beloved Charlie, I kept both apart for a few weeks, they were fine together from the start, in that I could stable them next to each other and there were no problems and when I finally put them in together, my loan pony was fine and Charlie was boss, loan pony never retaliated and they got on pretty well. I very sadly lost Charlie three months ago and William has been on his own since, apart from one week, when I took on a mare as LWVTB, he was also fine with the mare, stabled next to each other no problem, unfortunately it didn't work out with the mare and she went back. Having been unable to buy another riding pony and not wanting William on his own, I have taken on Noah from WHW and he arrived today. Well William was going mad in stable, lunging over door, so much so that I decided not to put Noah in the stable next to him and although separated in the field William clearly doesn't like him much, running at the fence line, ears back etc.

I was just wondering about other peoples experiences in this situation, where one takes an instant dislike to the other, does it generally come right, and I'm just panicking, or could this be a permanent issue ? Wondering why he has taken such a dislike to him, could it be that he is a baby and William knows he can bully him??

Sorry if these are daft questions, but really if anyone has any experience they could share, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks everyone!!
 
Yes there is, William is 14hh and baby Noah is about 12hh and rising two!

Sounds like I may have the same problem that you have with your guy then :-( Not good!

Will obviously give it some time, keeping them separated for the moment, but sounds like may not work out...very despondent if that's the case!
 
^^yes I'm afraid one of mine is like that (stupid thing, she's the damn rescue!) she doesn't look kindly on anything smaller than her. Her field mate is only a hand smaller and even she gets the rough treatment occasionally.

Give it a bit more time but I'd keep them well separated for a while.
 
From my own experience I would think you are doomed. Charlie was the boss, William never retaliated. He did as he was told and all was well. Charlie was sufficiently above William for W to know his place in their herd of 2.

William I would imagine is insanely jealous of the new one. It is a pathetic small pony and he is going to take it out on the cutie. William I am afraid is a bully. I have found some who deal well with their responsibilities of taking on an underdog. I have one in particular who is a total bully and I only trust him with superior animals. I think you may do better if you want company for W to get a bossy older pony. Something that is dominant and won't take any nonsense so W knows his place immediately.

I wanted recently to buy a foal. My problem was not lack of money or space but the fact that one of my existing horses would basically kill it if he got the chance. I would happily put him with one of our older ponies who either ignore him or stand up to him but anything remotely beneath him would be a disaster. It would get hurt very quickly. Sadly I think this may be the situation you are in.
 
I agree it could well be because he's a pony. Some horses are very frightened of small ponies, and some are very aggressive. It may be that he will get used to it. However, sometimes such extreme reactions indicate that a horse will never accept a particular individual. A mare that has been at livery with me for 8 years and who adored my old mare (now sadly no longer with us), absolutely hated my new filly on sight. She would rush at the fence baring her teeth and trying to kick. When things appeared to settle down I tried them together and the mare chased my poor filly around, cornered her and repeatedly kicked her. I separated them and they stayed in adjacent paddocks for another year. One day the older mare broke through the fencing and attacked her again. Now, although they will groom over the fence, they often also show aggression towards one another. Now my youngster is older she shows aggression towards the older mare too. I think if they got in together again, it would result in a fatal injury to one of them. I guess what I am saying is never take it for granted that they will be fine even if they seem it over the fence. Allow only supervised access for the first few days they are in together, separating them when you cannot be there.

Some horses dislike others that are smaller/larger/ or even a different colour.
 
Don't panic yet - my cob hated my sons new pony(who arrived last winter) and would try to attack him when we first introduced them. I kept them in the same field for several months, but separated by electric fence.

In the spring I moved them into the same paddock, and with the grass as a distraction, they got on a lot better. Having spent the summer together they and are now very chilled. I think the fact we ride them together has also helped them bond.
 
milliepops said:
^^yes I'm afraid one of mine is like that (stupid thing, she's the damn rescue!) she doesn't look kindly on anything smaller than her. Her field mate is only a hand smaller and even she gets the rough treatment occasionally.

Give it a bit more time but I'd keep them well separated for a while.
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Oh no way!! I got a rescue because I have been struggling to find a suitable pony to purchase, I have a good budget but it's still hard, so I decided to stop looking for the moment and take on a rescue. Took a little one as that's what space allows, if I eventually want a ridden pony too (if I can find one...), thought this was the solution, William would have company and I would stop running around the country, getting stressed looking for ponies, now this!! Sorry big moan :-(

They're well separated in that I have a double electric fence between them, so they can't touch noses, but paddocks are next to each other, didn't want rescue pony over other side of field, thought he would be better closer, now I am worried!
 
paddy555 said:
From my own experience I would think you are doomed. Charlie was the boss, William never retaliated. He did as he was told and all was well. Charlie was sufficiently above William for W to know his place in their herd of 2.

William I would imagine is insanely jealous of the new one. It is a pathetic small pony and he is going to take it out on the cutie. William I am afraid is a bully. I have found some who deal well with their responsibilities of taking on an underdog. I have one in particular who is a total bully and I only trust him with superior animals. I think you may do better if you want company for W to get a bossy older pony. Something that is dominant and won't take any nonsense so W knows his place immediately.

I wanted recently to buy a foal. My problem was not lack of money or space but the fact that one of my existing horses would basically kill it if he got the chance. I would happily put him with one of our older ponies who either ignore him or stand up to him but anything remotely beneath him would be a disaster. It would get hurt very quickly. Sadly I think this may be the situation you are in.
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Sounds about right! I had no idea William would react like this given past experience with Charlie and other mare... Didn't even think of it as a possible problem, I did ring WHW a couple of hours after they dropped him off and explained I was worried and looking for their opinion, just said give it time. If they had told me this can sometimes happen with a baby, I would have put three rows of electric fencing up between them, now really worried that I might have to go back to field and re-arrange all my fencing!! Do you think it warrants that? I have two lines of fencing up between them so they cannot talk over fence but there's only 1 meter between fences?
 
well don't despair just yet, it's only day 1, right? Mine has mellowed to her ever-so-slightly-smaller fieldmate, and she doesn't try to full on attack her any more (in fact calls for her occasionally) but they aren't exactly bosom pals yet (18 months on!). I kept them next door but separate for about 6 months I'm afraid before we could get to this point. I've got them separated again at the moment because the fields are so wet, if they charge about at each other, someone is going to get hurt :o
 
milliepops said:
well don't despair just yet, it's only day 1, right? Mine has mellowed to her ever-so-slightly-smaller fieldmate, and she doesn't try to full on attack her any more (in fact calls for her occasionally) but they aren't exactly bosom pals yet (18 months on!). I kept them next door but separate for about 6 months I'm afraid before we could get to this point. I've got them separated again at the moment because the fields are so wet, if they charge about at each other, someone is going to get hurt :o
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Yes, he only arrived this morning and he is so cute, very calm little cob, poor thing was shocked to death by William lunging at him over stable door, frightened me too! I just didn't anticipate this at all! Thanks for sharing your experiences, it sounds like I will need to rethink my plans re field layout etc if I want to keep him (which I do if I can manage things) and they will need to be separated long term! Bloody horses, never simple! I thought the companion route would give me a break for the moment!!
 
cavalier123 said:
Sounds about right! I had no idea William would react like this given past experience with Charlie and other mare... Didn't even think of it as a possible problem, I did ring WHW a couple of hours after they dropped him off and explained I was worried and looking for their opinion, just said give it time. If they had told me this can sometimes happen with a baby, I would have put three rows of electric fencing up between them, now really worried that I might have to go back to field and re-arrange all my fencing!! Do you think it warrants that? I have two lines of fencing up between them so they cannot talk over fence but there's only 1 meter between fences?
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It should be all right so long as the current is strong and the pony can't limbo under it. The youngster will want to get close for company. It's a bit dark now to start redoing fencing, but if you could safely get them in, then I would probably bring them into the stables tonight.
 
In my experience, time will solve this. If you have a big enough turnout where they can keep out of each others way then just leave them to it, otherwise separate them with electric and give it time.
I took on a pony recently that had done the rounds and been hated by most field companions. His last one was a 17 hh thug who had lifted him off the ground (he's 12hh). Even my Shetland hated him on site and they spent the first few weeks bum to bum and squealing. They turned out to be good friends in the end. He then got moved to my cobs field and again, was pushed away at first but after a week or so became the best of friends.
I always think the ones that are hated on are just not good at communication...it takes them a while to understand herd dynamics but they almost always get there. I've not had any that haven't got there in the end...
 
It may just take time. having said that, like others have mentioned, some horses hate little ones! my friend 16 hand mare could never stand ponies (well below 13'3', she likes my 13'3 stocky new forest)
however, that can change. my TB ex-racer used to be scared of ponies and coloured horses as he was used to 15 hand+ and all brown horses! however, now one of his favourite friends in a piebald minature shetland!

also he is 2, and i have always found older horses pick on the younger ones to put them in their place. my 12 year old mare is dominant and when my new 4 year old new forest ponies joined her field she told them off quite a lot. but now she just put her ears back at them occasionally.
 
I would give them more time.

This was my grey's reaction when i first got my gelding.

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Once she got over the fact that he existed, I progressed to having them in the same paddock.

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Then she decided that she liked him after all and they are now bosom buddies.

100_2192.jpg
 
I had similar experience to Faracat....my bigger mare turned into a savage the day my pony mare arrived, lunging and kicking out and generally showing her who was boss. I didn't turn them out together for 2 months but now they whinny if one of them walks out of sight for 2 secs. Its definitely way too early to start panicking yet.
 
I wouldn't panic just yet, though my experience was the other way around! New gelding absolutely hated my gelding, we had them separated in the paddock but the new one kept breaking through to terrorise my boy. In one incident he forced my horse through a stock fence where he managed to get his leg caught, which was lucky as it was the only thing keeping him from falling down a bank onto a narrow lane. We had several vets visits for injuries to my horse and thought we would never be able to turn them out together. After about 3 months of being separated my gelding decided he wanted to be with the new boy and with our hearts in our mouths we let them in together. They were inseparable from that day until my gelding had to be pts last February. Give them time and I'm sure it will be fine.
 
cavalier123 said:
Yes there is, William is 14hh and baby Noah is about 12hh and rising two!

Sounds like I may have the same problem that you have with your guy then :-( Not good!

Will obviously give it some time, keeping them separated for the moment, but sounds like may not work out...very despondent if that's the case!
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I'm afraid I do see another problem. If William will not give in then Noah at nearly 2 is going to need a friend. As a baby he needs someone to either play with, groom, playfight etc or alternatively a "mother" or 'Father" to look after him. Is he going to be on his own with no one except Mr Grumpy looking on?

Hope they can get themselves sorted for you.
 
I wouldnt despair yet, after all its not even been 24 hours! Did you introduce the over a stable door? Some horses find that a total invasion of space especial with a newbie. When I got my 2nd shetland my original boy absolutely hated him, took about 6-8 weeks turned out in adjoining paddock before he stopped trying to kill him. Best pals now
 
As everyone says, don't panic yet. But my gelding still hates my rescue 2 years later. All the horrible things he had done to him over the years, he does to her. He frightens her and they don't spend any time hanging out together. But he still "needs" her.

I sometimes consider seeing if I can get something different, so a swap for a gelding perhaps.
 
DO NOT PANIC!!

Having always had geldings and generally an established herd, they can be God damn awful to each other. Christine. I've had my horse 20 years and had my younger one (now 6) sincere he wad 15 mths. Took about 2 mths to settle the younger one in initially and that consistent of about 6 weeks of separation / supervised integration.

Youngster was away for 3 mths to be rebacked this summer and, on his return my horse quite frankly wanted to kill him!! They were separated for about 2 weeks and this is horses who have been field companions for years!

Separate them in the field with electric tape if needs be. I would actually stable them next to each other as they can't come to harm. Just observe their behaviour. I tend to feel once the screaming / attack behaviour subsides and they are willingly being close to exchange other then if the time to try supervised mixing together. Be ready with a bucket of feed to shake though should you feel behaviour gets outside of hand (I tend to do this if I see my horse has the 'red mist' and starts the death chase round in circles!!).

Use your own judgement essentially. Not all horses will be best mates but most tend to get along if they have enough space!
 
Wagtail said:
It should be all right so long as the current is strong and the pony can't limbo under it. The youngster will want to get close for company. It's a bit dark now to start redoing fencing, but if you could safely get them in, then I would probably bring them into the stables tonight.
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Thanks! I went back down, hence late reply! Have put William in but poor Noah is in the field! The stable doors are close to each other, they are not well designed and William can lean over into Noah's stable, so couldn't really get him in. I've ;put double electric fence between stable yard and field and let Noah in field so he can come fairly close to stable, but other side of fencing. Think this will be the night routine for the moment and I will monitor during the day in separate fields.
ON a positive, William was calmer tonight and wasn't being aggresive from his stable even though pony was fairly near, so fingers crossed he improves....
 
pippixox said:
It may just take time. having said that, like others have mentioned, some horses hate little ones! my friend 16 hand mare could never stand ponies (well below 13'3', she likes my 13'3 stocky new forest)
however, that can change. my TB ex-racer used to be scared of ponies and coloured horses as he was used to 15 hand+ and all brown horses! however, now one of his favourite friends in a piebald minature shetland!

also he is 2, and i have always found older horses pick on the younger ones to put them in their place. my 12 year old mare is dominant and when my new 4 year old new forest ponies joined her field she told them off quite a lot. but now she just put her ears back at them occasionally.
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Yes, I got the impression he really hated him, his behaviour was so extreme and out of character from what I have already seen from him! I think it might be because he's a baby, he is also all white (well grey) and very furry, maybe doesn't like the look of him :-( it's so sad!
 
ladyt25 said:
DO NOT PANIC!!

Having always had geldings and generally an established herd, they can be God damn awful to each other. Christine. I've had my horse 20 years and had my younger one (now 6) sincere he wad 15 mths. Took about 2 mths to settle the younger one in initially and that consistent of about 6 weeks of separation / supervised integration.

Youngster was away for 3 mths to be rebacked this summer and, on his return my horse quite frankly wanted to kill him!! They were separated for about 2 weeks and this is horses who have been field companions for years!

Separate them in the field with electric tape if needs be. I would actually stable them next to each other as they can't come to harm. Just observe their behaviour. I tend to feel once the screaming / attack behaviour subsides and they are willingly being close to exchange other then if the time to try supervised mixing together. Be ready with a bucket of feed to shake though should you feel behaviour gets outside of hand (I tend to do this if I see my horse has the 'red mist' and starts the death chase round in circles!!).

Use your own judgement essentially. Not all horses will be best mates but most tend to get along if they have enough space!
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THanks! Calmed down a bit now!

Sounds like your situation was similar to mine, William is 17 and Noah is about 18 months.

I have them separated by double electric fencing and could really do with stabling them next to each other, but the stable doors are too close together, not sure Noah could put his head out without William being able to reach him. Worried poor little Noah would be cowering in the back of the stable...

I don't work, so I have time to supervise them in the field during the day, so can monitor how that goes in separate fields for now and just take it one step at a time I suppose. Really don't want to send Noah back if I can help it, he's such a cutie. Just hope William can start to see the benefits of having a friend!!
 
Definitely don't panic yet, when I first got my youngster, then 8 months and about 12.2hh, my mare hated him. She would charge at the fence line, ears back and threatening to kick and it took a while for her to get used to him. He went out with another older pony at night with electric tape separating them and my older mare and in the day went in with a 3 year old do they could muck around.

Imagine my surprise two months on when I got to the yard in the morning to find the baby sleeping at my old mares feet having ducked under the fencing! He did this three mornings in a row so I just took down the fencing and left them to it. Now he's 2 and though she still tries to pretend she hates him, I often find them stood sleeping together with his head resting on her back...because obviously it's too heavy to hold up himself!

Sometimes they just need a little time to get used to each other, it might not work out but give your older horse a chance to settle :)
 
Lammy said:
Definitely don't panic yet, when I first got my youngster, then 8 months and about 12.2hh, my mare hated him. She would charge at the fence line, ears back and threatening to kick and it took a while for her to get used to him. He went out with another older pony at night with electric tape separating them and my older mare and in the day went in with a 3 year old do they could muck around.

Imagine my surprise two months on when I got to the yard in the morning to find the baby sleeping at my old mares feet having ducked under the fencing! He did this three mornings in a row so I just took down the fencing and left them to it. Now he's 2 and though she still tries to pretend she hates him, I often find them stood sleeping together with his head resting on her back...because obviously it's too heavy to hold up himself!

Sometimes they just need a little time to get used to each other, it might not work out but give your older horse a chance to settle :)
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Thanks Lammy, that made me feel a lot better when I read it last night just before going to bed! Was too tired to reply then.
Well things, have actually improved already, thank goodness. William wasn't any where near as nasty towards him today and managed to get them in the stables next too each other, he did go for Noah a couple of times, but nowhere near as bad as yesterday, so feeling a lot more hopeful now :-)

So sweet your baby sneaking under the fence and sleeping like that, am hoping for the same in future. Am starting to worry now though whether I will need another baby for him to play with if William isn't going to co-operate!
 
Good to hear they are getting on a bit better already. Hopefully with a little bit of careful management they will be good friends before too long. Mine are civil enough to snooze near each other now, but bigger mare is still definitely the big bad boss!!

90673338-ecff-407f-b732-4aa1ec98e8b7_zpsnbhi5htj.jpg


(I think we need pics of little Noah ;))
 
milliepops said:
Good to hear they are getting on a bit better already. Hopefully with a little bit of careful management they will be good friends before too long. Mine are civil enough to snooze near each other now, but bigger mare is still definitely the big bad boss!!

90673338-ecff-407f-b732-4aa1ec98e8b7_zpsnbhi5htj.jpg


(I think we need pics of little Noah ;))
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Thanks Milliepops, they are loads better today, William even had his ears forward a few times (before he went for him of course...)!! I stabled them both next to each other for maybe a couple of hours, whilst I re-arranged all the fencing -nightmare! And Noah laid down and had a sleep, must have been exhausted from it all, poor thing. I don't know how to add a picture yet! Will work it out shortly and add one - he's so cute!
 
I have a horror of a gelding with new horses he will bite and chase and generally be horrible for a day or two then he settles and they are his friends, his always been the boss where ever he has been and his only 15 hands.
 
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