What should i do about my two fighting horses?

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staceyn

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i have 2 shetlands one is 10yo gelding and the other is 8months colt. they have lived in the same stable and field for about 4 months with no problems.
Suddenly they have started chasing and biting each other constantly!. It doesnt seem too nasty but the fact that it is happening all the time is worrying.
The 8 month old used to be very quiet and is now always starting fights with the bigger older horse?. anyone got any ideas.

P.s when i seperate them the older horse goes mental rearing over stable door spinning around. so i didnt want to do that.

Thanks
 
Sounds more like they're playing? Young boys Really do play roughly (rearing, biting, leg biting, body slamming each other). If you're not sure what you've got, get someone experienced to have a look. Or take a video and post it on here. The difference between playing and fighting is body language.
 
Thanks For The Posts .
To me a have had horses all my life and it does just like harsh playing at first it was the 10yo Called "pony" who was bullying The Foal "eddie". But it seems eddie is trying to be the boss now. Yes the do chew each others neck face legs and tails. none have been hurt yet and there isnt much kicking. it just me been soft haha! just wanted to check . I didnt want to get the foal gelded due to his colouring we wanted a foal from him in the future but this may have to change if it carries on.

I was also going to ask if anyone has been having lice problems?

I have treated Them for lice twice now with stuff from the vets.
But Pony has massive chunks of hair missing on his neck and head were the headcollar would usually be. Anyone got any ideas what else it could be he is quite a itchy pony at the moment?
 
It seems strange because the first lot of lice i could see in the mane. But this Time i can not see anything i have washed all the rugs and headcollars. And it only seems like one pony is affected?.
I cant see it been sweeti itch due to the fact his mane and tail are so long and i have had a horse with sweet itch before and it just doesnt look the same.

EEE this is what you get when you get a horse from auction.
Vet bills like you would not believe! I have spent over 1k already trying to fix these little fluffs. one thing after another
never had problems with any of the 9 other horses i used to have.
must be my luck ! lol
 
Unless the foal isnt just a nice colour but has fantastic confirmation and bloodlines, please get him cut. It will solve a lot of the issues and also not add to the hundreds and hundreds of unwanted shetlands going for £50 or less at markets.
 
I know i totally agree with you!
I got my shetlands from auction rather then a breeder becuase i just cant understand why they are selling off youngsters when there are so many at auction anyway.
If i was to breed it would be once and to keep the foal for life. But I think your right i had a 14hh coloured gypsy cob who was stunning! But his behaviour was terrible i got him cut for the owner and most of the problems dissapeared.

My two littles only cost £60 ish but the vet bills have definatly made up for the prices they havent had it easy. both had phneumonia then lice then all the stress of moving ect. Everything seems to have settled down and just seeing them so happy is amazing! to know were they would have ended up just cause they cant be ridden! .
I have totally started talking dribble now haha sorry guys. gone of track.
 
Ye i think so too. He has only just turned 8 months so should i leave it another month or two or just get it done with .
This last month he has definaltly changed personality, he was the sweetest quietest foal i have ever handled, now hes fighting "pony" and starting to get very cheeky and nip .
 
I helped with an 8 month castration last week. Similar reasons to yours really, he'd a been an utter sweetie and then just got too boisterous.

Call in Dr Hakanakarov!
 
Thanks for replies,

I have been thinking about getting him gelded to be honest i have always had my horses gelded just makes life calmer and easier for everyone. but i want to leave it a little longer as he has only just recovered from phnuemonia and i dont want to put him under too much stress when is the lastest time of year i could get away with doing it without flies ect..
 
staceyn said:
Thanks for replies,

I have been thinking about getting him gelded to be honest i have always had my horses gelded just makes life calmer and easier for everyone. but i want to leave it a little longer as he has only just recovered from phnuemonia and i dont want to put him under too much stress when is the lastest time of year i could get away with doing it without flies ect..
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Technically gelding can be done at any time of year :) Regionally there are times that are better than others. Flies tend to start being a nuisance May/June time generally.

Your Vet will probably have a time (Spring/Autumn) that he prefers/recommends cutting colts.

Is this the sort of thing your boys are up to?

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Yes it is ! Not much rearin going on mainly chasing each other biting legs necks ect. But they even do it in the stable I hope its just a phase cause Eddie has grown up a bit.
 
staceyn said:
Yes it is ! Not much rearin going on mainly chasing each other biting legs necks ect. But they even do it in the stable I hope its just a phase cause Eddie has grown up a bit.
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Typical boys in the school yard stuff then, these are two year old colts. It doesn't always stop when they are gelded either, I have mature geldings that do this too ;)

It is when they try it on with handlers that gets to be a pain in the backside isn't it? :( Sometimes they just don't know what to do with themselves when the hormones kick in, I've had some that change practically overnight afterwards, others take longer. Fortunately mine are still well behaved to handle, just as well because it is too cold to geld yet :( I have the Vet provisionally booked for two days, 6 to do.
 
Dee O'Dorant said:
Get the colt cut, then the behaviour should lessen.
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Yes, sounds like hormones raging. ;)

staceyn said:
Yes it is ! Not much rearin going on mainly chasing each other biting legs necks ect. But they even do it in the stable I hope its just a phase cause Eddie has grown up a bit.
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Typical male horse behaviour when play fighting. This behaviour comes from subduing mares for mounting I believe.
 
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They are fine to handle no problems at all well apart from Eddie thinking I'm a carrot now and again chewing my pants and hair. Just his age a guess. But I didn't want to geld him just yet cause for me I think 1-2year is a better age . Plus they fill out more don't they ? If you leave it until that age. Not 100% sure. I think I just worry too much cause there my babies !. Ha
 
staceyn said:
They are fine to handle no problems at all well apart from Eddie thinking I'm a carrot now and again chewing my pants and hair. Just his age a guess. But I didn't want to geld him just yet cause for me I think 1-2year is a better age . Plus they fill out more don't they ? If you leave it until that age. Not 100% sure. I think I just worry too much cause there my babies !. Ha
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If there are mares anywhere near this may well cause more problems as he gets older. You might have to separate them when stabled as he may injure the gelding as he grows.
My feeling would be to geld sooner rather than later tbh.
 
No we are on a private yard just the two of them no mares. But yes am going to keep watching them and if they carry on in the stable a will seprate them at night
 
Maybe they are just sick of sharing a stable ? The stable is like 12x14 so big enough . Also a bit worried about the food situation as pony eats everything in sight and not sure if he is letting Eddie get enough hay ect.
 
amandap said:
Typical male horse behaviour when play fighting. This behaviour comes from subduing mares for mounting I believe.
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Hmmm, my mares will kick the stuffing out of the stallion if they aren't in the mood, no amount of subduing, or seduction, by him will change their minds, he doesn't even try, he isn't stupid, if his "fancy a bit of nooky then?" doesn't work he'll look at me and back away from them. On the other hand, if they are up for it then some of the real slappers will practically back underneath him. We had one mare out at pasture with him and the day she went home she refused to be caught until she'd literally walked underneath him, poor boy, he looked relieved when that one went ;)

I think the play fighting is just that, play fighting, the moves are exactly the same as the real thing just not serious.
 
staceyn said:
Maybe they are just sick of sharing a stable ? The stable is like 12x14 so big enough . Also a bit worried about the food situation as pony eats everything in sight and not sure if he is letting Eddie get enough hay ect.
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Can you divide it? They are shetlands yes? Half that should be adequate for overnighting. Pile hay all the way around the edges too, I'm sure you are already doing that anyway.
 
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