will I ever be able to tie her up next to something else?

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swampdonkey

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My mare who I've had for 6 months kicks out at horses when they are tied next to her on yard. Not around food and not when I am standing next to her but as soon as I turn my back. Can you stop this behaviour or is it something I'm always going to have to be extra careful about. Don't want her injuring another horse or herself.
 
I think it can be improved to some degree but horses will be horses and some are just more defensive than others and like their personal space. Is she a dominant or submissive horse out in the field

My pony is very much like this, he is the herd leader and has always been funny about horses invading his personal space. He is not outwardly aggressive or looking for a fight but he gives a lot of warning if he feels a horse is too close. I could never actually stand him near other horses - in fact i think I'd still struggle now.

It's a case of managing them - why is she kicking? Is it all horses or just certain ones? Make sure she has sufficient space. I imagine she is being defensive more than anything else. You have only had her 6 mths though so I would give her some more time to settle into the environment. I assume she only kicks out at horses and not people?
 
she;s the same whether next to a mare or gelding, if she lives in same field with them or never seen them before. she is quite dominant in the field now but was quiet when she 1st came. I agree that she likes her own space as is defensive rather than aggresive. She has never kicked out a person although she pulls faces. Never at me anymore. I think maybe she is shy? If that makes sense, although people at the yard thing she is mean. I don't agree
 
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My gelding is the same. Also a herd leader. I have had him for 8 years and will not tie him next to another horse. It's just not worth it in my opinion. He hasn't really changed regarding being very protective over his personal space. You can hitch him next to a horse - as long as that horse is not tied up next door, but one space over if that makes sense. That is the distance he is comfortable with.
 
Does your mare think she rules the roost?

On the ground is she disciplined, does the respect you as her owner and not of a lower level in the pecking order?

So many times I have seen things amongst horses (particularly spoilt mares) who are allowed to do whatever they want to their owners so it then becomes their learnt behaviour that they do what they want and then it extends to doing what they want amongst other horses.
 
See my pony has excellent stable manners but he is rather neurotic and has always had his little ways but he has improved and calmed down loads. However, he will still scream at his pals if they say 'hello' to each other in the field and he'll have a real strop if he's in the stable and another horse is near his door etc. That's just him. He will not actuall kick out at his pals nowadays if tied near them but then he's calm and settled. I would not ever stand him near a strange horse as he would not be happy. That's just him. It's not hard to manage though and the main thing is not to aggravate them by putting horses near to them. You need to be aware of your horses personal space and what your horse is happy with and what she is not.
 
caterpillar said:
Does your mare think she rules the roost?

On the ground is she disciplined, does the respect you as her owner and not of a lower level in the pecking order?

So many times I have seen things amongst horses (particularly spoilt mares) who are allowed to do whatever they want to their owners so it then becomes their learnt behaviour that they do what they want and then it extends to doing what they want amongst other horses.
Click to expand...

My mare is the same as OP's. She's got very good ground manners, doesn't kick or bite any humans. She's treated well, but she isn't spoilt. I warn everybody who hacks out with us that she may kick if they're too close. Some choose to ignore her tail whacking their horse in the face a number of times as warning. Only then will she do a halfhearted kick.

ETA I would never tie her within kicking distance of another.
 
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