Sidneys first weeks at the new yard - oh dear

[Hovis_and_SidsMum]

Lord I've missed this forum - after a pigish first week with Sid at the new yard I needed some support!
He moved yards fine in so far as he loaded well etc but that was about it. It's like he has had a personality transplant - he's been very aggressive and obviously stressed out. He's bitten me twice and been really bargey and rude - nothing like his normal personality at all.
After a week in the field next to the boys he was finally put in with them ysterday morning. I was away and I'm so glad it was hubby that did it. He was ok with two of the boys but when number 3 came in (the dominant gelding) all hell kicked off. This other horse went for Sid, biting and kicking the hell out of him. Sid repeatedly tried to get away but the other one herded him into a corner and tried to push him through the fence. The problem is whilst sid is not aggressive at all he will only tolerate being bullied for so long. Thus at this point said "enoughs enough" and gave him just as good back.
Sid is ok but very battered and bruised - the other horse needed the vet last night.
Ironically though for all this its the most relaxed i've seen him and he was back to being his usual affectionate self. He's back in the field today with the other two (with no problems at all), the other horse is on box rest and i feel awful.
Half the yard are saying "well done its about time a horse stood up to X (the other horse)" and the other half aren't talking to us.
Its been a great week!! Just hope things now calm down from here!

 

[kerilli]

Oh crikey, well, if it's yard policy to put them together, it's not your fault, is it. Glad your boy's okay, anyway. hopefully he'll calm down totally now he's got some new friends and has got his bearings.

 

[kick_On]

Blimey!!!
that's horrible, i heard and seen ggs before changing their charcters when they move yards
IMO i wouldn't move to new yard unless i had indivadual turnout for both my horses. As cos kicking horse can do alot of damage
Fingers cross for you it all calm down now but if kicking continues would defo ask for different turnout
other wise you going to need the vet, plus sewing kit and cotton wool (is for your ear!!)

 

[reynold]

tbh I think it's totally irresponsible for a YO to knowingly turn out a bully horse with new horses

I've known of 3 horses with broken legs from that and it's not nice for either side - two caused by the same horse before anything was done

the bully horse shouldn't be back in with the group - it should be out with one other horse that it tolerates and that's it

our horses are too precious to be put at risk like that.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

If horses are not given individual paddocks, and many yards don't have this facility, then things like this will always happen. It's unfortunate but totally natural. Their differences & position within the herds hierarchy has now been settled & that should be over & done with now........until another horse comes

 

[reynold]

the differences and hierachcy IS totally natural - in horses that are UNSHOD

it's the shoes that cause the injury to be much worse - as anyone who has been kicked by both shod and unshod horses will know

a known bully - which is what this definitely is - should be isolated from the main turnout with one companion that it tolerates - and if there isn't one then it must have individual turnout or turnout before/after the main group

to turn out a known kicker/bully with a herd is irresponsible to the horse owner - in this case it's the bully that has been injured but from the yard reaction this is unusual and it's normally the other livery horses that have been injured

with livery hundreds of £s per week, vets bills, insurance exclusions, loss of riding and even death of horses it's no longer acceptable to have this 'oh it's only natural' attitude

electric fencing systems means there isn't really any longer any excuse for not being able to segregate a 'problem' horse

 

[hadfos]

You are lucky in 1 sense that your boy stuck up for himself,the YO should have known better!Pleased he ok!My lad spent 2 years,MY FAULT

with a bully,you would not believe it,i didnt!!Never seen anything like it,i always thought horses sorted their pecking order then just either turned bums or ears back as they are sooo social,bullshite!!

This gelding he was out with after a year,(should know their order and in between face pulling b enough??)knocked his herd confidence flying,my boy could be the other end of the field and this thing he was out with would fly from 1 end of the field to the other just to take a chunk out of him,did same to others to(this thing is 20 odd yr old,NEVER met such an aggressive horse)!!We split them all was well,now moved him and he no longer looks like a bay apaloosa

Your boy has done what i wish mine had,STUCK up for himself,not your concern,YO responsibility,just pleased as i say that your lad ok!

u have nothing to fel guilty about,the rug wreckers and flesh eaters deserve to be on their own!!!