New pony 'picking on' other pony!!

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strawbs

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Hi

Never posted before - so hope you can offer some advice.

Picked up our new 4 year old section A on Saturday to come and live with my 13 year old welsh x 14.1 hh pony. She has lived on her own for 3 years with us and all winter has looked very bored and lonely. So I was feeling guilty and decided to get her a friend. Newbie has come in and he has quickly established himself as the top dog with her - I feed them separately in their stables which is fine, they have separate hay in the field but he chases her from one pile to another! And he always wants to come out of field first and she seems scared to be by him.

I hope I haven't made her life a misery, I thought she'd enjoy being part of a little herd again. Is there anyone that can reassure me that she won't get 'depressed'!

Should I separate them for a bit with electric fencing - do you think that would help? Should I bring him in first or make him wait? Any ideas would be gratefully received!!

Thank you.

xx
 
They'll settle.

But always put more piles of hay than horses - so in your case at least 4, well spread out.

And bring them in together perhaps, rather than separately.
 
Hello, welcome to HHO :)

I'm sure they'll both calm down over time, they just both need to adjust to their new way of living.

As AmyMay said, could you put out several piles of hay for them each day? And also, perhaps at opposite ends of the field? Just thinking that there would be less chance of one chasing the other away if there is a bit of distance between them.

Good luck!! :)
 
Firstly, welcome to the mad house :D

Secondly, they're just working out 'herd hierarchy', they'll soon settle down. I agree with everything that's already been said especially with the haylage bit, make 4 piles, and put them far away from each other around the field. Good luck with your new pony :)
 
Thank you to everyone that's replied so quickly, very heartening to know that I'm not on my own!! And thank you for reassuring me that I haven't made my poor girl's life a permanent misery!!

Good tips regarding the hay - there will be piles all over the paddock tomorrow :)

xx
 
Hiya, I was in a similar situation having bought a gelding for my mare so I could move them both to a new field on their own, they were similar to yours at first nd have settled down a little now. However, I don't think the will ever really 'like' each other! No matter how many piles of hay are out, he always wants hers to start with!

I do get the impression though that when I am not in front of them they rub along just fine, I think there's is a jealousy aspect in there a bit when im there. If I go and sit where they can't see me, they'll both happily stand in the shelter together munching. I think yours will be fine - we always worry too much!
 
I wouldn't worry too much, they're just sorting out whos boss. My mums poor gelding has been bullied a bit by different mares I've had. The old girl I have now won't let him near hay, feed etc. But when they're seperated they both call out to each other and want to go back out in the field together. It will take a while to settle down, and they may never share hay but they do love each others company. Make sure you put out plenty of hay. What happened with ours is Duchess gets bored of the hay after a bit (not a big eater but a bit fat and not in work so doesn't matter) and Beni can eat the rest of the hay in peace.
Hope this makes sense!
 
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