Reassurance, please?

[MrsHutt]

Have just been up for the first time since he arrived last Sunday to see Hugo. They are keeping a close eye on them all, but he hasn't been in since this last snowfall (Friday) as it's too slippy to get any horse from the field. YO has only managed to move one or two carefully around the yard this afternoon, as legs are going all over! I think he's probably in the best place - I had a good feel of the base of his ears, which were warm and under the rug was warm, but not hot and sweaty. Perfect, I think?

My question is really about how he's getting on with the others. He is in a mixed group and two of the other geldings don't really like him, I think . One of them gave him a really nasty nip on the bum (rug on, so no damage done) while we were there, and another chased him away from me. I know they will eventually sort their pecking order out and he is a brand new member, but should I be at all concerned? This didn't happen with my previous mare - she just settled right in.

Sorry about the long post from a nervous new mum!

 

[Sol]

I wouldn't worry too much As long as he can still get to enough food ie. isn't constantly being chased off or looking stressed about it, he's probably fine. Some horses (like people!) settle differently - some just fit in, others take a bit longer, and some even prefer to just stay a bit further off on their own (I did have a horse that never really wanted to be part of a 'herd', she liked her own company!)

 

[ISHmad]

Very early days yet and he and his new fieldmates are all just working out where he will fit in the field hierarchy. As long as he isn't being aggressively attacked constantly - and I do mean attacked, not the normal behaviour being shown to him at the moment - then I'd leave them be to sort themselves out.

Congratulations on our new boy, bet you cant wait for this weather to break to be able to do more with him.

 

[Cuppatea]

as above, dont worry about it, horses are herd animals and are better off together than on their own. they will settle once theyve sniffed enough to satisfy themselves. once theyve got to know each other it will mean more flexability for turnout options throughout the year too.!

 

[sizz]

I can't work out why some people are having problems getting their horses to or from their fields safely, are you not able to use salt or grit, or using muck from the stables on slippery surfaces, I am not having a go, I just think that it is really important to keep your horses moving as much as possible, for a few reasons, firstly to keep there joints and muscles mobile especially for the older ones, also to keep their guts working, and lastly to keep them as sane as poss because there will be a day soon that we can get back on board ( I hope) and I for one would like to stay on board. Even if they just go out half a day it is better than nothing.

 

[Lisamd]

I can't work out why some people are having problems getting their horses to or from their fields safely, are you not able to use salt or grit, or using muck from the stables on slippery surfaces, I am not having a go, I just think that it is really important to keep your horses moving as much as possible, for a few reasons, firstly to keep there joints and muscles mobile especially for the older ones, also to keep their guts working, and lastly to keep them as sane as poss because there will be a day soon that we can get back on board ( I hope) and I for one would like to stay on board. Even if they just go out half a day it is better than nothing.

Please please come and show me how to get my horses out?????????? No amount of salt, grit of muck from that stables (i would need about 50 stables!!) will be getting mine out. Safer in than a fall on hard ground IMHO, will go out when it thaws enough to safely get them out

 

[LaurenM]

The horses are going to be less welcoming right now. In their mind they have to compete for food. When i turn mine out from a ride he gets threatened by the others - mainly because the haylage is next to the gate.

As long as he has access to food and water I would't worry about it. After all, there is nothing else you can do really if you can't get him out of the field.

 

[kibob]

Try not to worry about him, it is early days and things will settle down. They always tend to behave worse when owners are around as they all jostle for attention - especially, as others have said, with conditions as they are. As long as he is able to get his fair share of food and they have plenty of room to get out of each others way then things will sort themselves out. I would consider it a blessing that horses aren't coming and going from the field at the moment as this always tends to make it take longer for the pecking order to be established.

I'm sure your boy will be fine