The pecking order in the field

m3gan

m3gan

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I am interested to know if anyone has any thoughts on the pecking order of horses in the field.
My boy has been in the company of 4 horses, all who have been in the yard and field before my boy. My horsey is at the bottom of the pecking order, he has been in the field/yard since February, he won't come out of the field until all the others are out first and will go back in last! The other horses consist of a mare of 17yrs. an other mare who is in her 20's and two geldings one who is 6 the other 16. The younger gelding was bullied before my boy arrived and now he seems to be the biggest bully!
Will my boy always be bullied like this, or will it get better!
i know all horses have a heirachy and that the newcomer always is at the bottom but I can't help feeling sorry for my lad he is so unconfrontational and will never retaliate,
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Our field arn't always the newcomer is the lowest, my horse and my sisters horse went to a new field with two horses who have always been together. My horse was instantly at the top, while my sisters horse was instantly the bottom of the herd. Just depends on the horse I think
 
the pecking order will more than likely remain the same IMO
my girl always used to be boss but now she is out in a different small mixed herd and she is no longer boss, its strange but they all adapt amongst themselves
your boy should be fine, hopefully they will settle further and they wont bother with confrontation after a while
you dont mention how long since you moved your horse to this new herd?
 
The horses at my yard all live out as a herd and all the liveries thought they had an understanding of the pecking order.

Then along came my mare. She sees something she wants, she barges the other horse out the way and takes it. The other horses will bite or kick her for it but she doesn't care, she simply won't respect their space. She comes in covered in cuts and scrapes but won't back down and is constantly chased around by the 'boss' mare - although she will barge her too given half a chance.

Anyway, apologies from the rambling, my point was that from what I've seen, equine pecking order seems to be a lot more complicated than a simple hierachy. They all have others that the back up, defend, or stand up to - it reminded me more of a bunch of cliquey teenage girls than a peaceful living arrangement.
 
He has been in the field with the others since the beginning of March, he doesn't get kicked , luckily it's more that he isn't allowed to be in the same vicinity as the other two geldings, i think it's also to do with the 17yr. old mare who is the boss mare, my boy must not get anywhere near her!!!
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Ok I'll attempt a helpful suggestion now. If there's 2 mares and 2 geldings, yours may be a bit left out as horses tend to pair up with one best mate. Is there any way you could add another nice quiet gelding into the mix? Then at least if yours is on the outside of the herd, he can have a buddy there with him.
 
My boy is at the very bottom bless him always getting picked on. Mind you when he first arrived he wouldnt go out of sight of the other horses but is now feeling better about him self and can wonder off out of sight and doesnt care about the others. Also learning to stand up for him self at last!!

Maybe your horse will start standing up to the others
 
My little herd consists of a 3 mares and a gelding.

My 14.2 gelding joined my friends cob mare & shetland pony mare a year ago. My gelding was top dog amongst the 3 when it comes to food but is not agressive with it (just has to pull a face and they move away from the food!)

My new mare 16.2 so the biggest in the field arrived 6 weeks ago and has been in with the herd for 2 weeks now. She has taken over top position from my gelding. She is a little less tolerant than he was and will back up the face pulling with teeth and heels if she thinks it necessary.

All of them groom each other except the 16.2 & shetland and except for feeding time they are a happy bunch.

I of course have remained herd leader throughout and if I want the food then I get it!
 
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