Youngster new field bites!

starbucker

starbucker

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My yearling has graduated from the baby field into the livery field. ages 2-13. The 13 yo mare is the boss. She came in from the field last night with clumps of fur missing and 3 bites one of which was bleeding a bit when i got there 3 hrs later (brought in for the night). She was turned out with 1 other new baby 2 yo also "graduating". How long will the bullying last? I feel for her. the 13yo is also not letting the babies near the water, and now lunges at her when walking past the 13yos stable making her understandably on edge walking past there. She seems to have made friends with the other 3 yo in the field so they seem to have formed a mini baby sub-herd. I expected some unrest but she'll have no fur left at this point!

Can I get some reassurance it will all settle, feels like sending your kid to their 1st day of school !
 
They are but on fronts I believe, though biting seems to be the preferred attack method . I put her out later this morning when shed have a few more field 'allies' as there would have only been the 2 bosses out but mainly the 13 seems to rule the roost
 
There is no way of knowing how long it will last as that’s down to the individual horses. Some will just never be suitable companions to youngstock.

Mine was chased away from the small herd a few times initially as a weanling, not nice to watch but no actual contact made. By the next morning he was fully integrated into the herd and had been formally adopted by an old retired Welshie. He had spent a few days in the next door field with a quiet companion first.

Likewise when he joined the big herd as a just turned yearling, I had my heart in my mouth as, instead of sidling submissively into the field along with his existing little herd, he went galloping up to the ‘big boys’ shrieking that he’d arrived 🙈 Thankfully they’re all decent chaps and were happy to humour him in thinking he was now also a ‘big boy’. Even as a strapping 2 1/2 year old now they still are VERY tolerant of any nonsense. We did have one new livery horse who took a bit of a dislike to him, but was moved asap into a different field.
 
It seems like this one mare is just a buggar. Theres another youngish one thats been introduced over summer and has chucks always bit out of him apparently holes in rugs after 1 day etc. dont want to complain will see how she is later today. Horses will be horses but Just a worry! She was fine in baby field.
 
I am guilty of mollycoddling my horses but for your girly to be coming in bleeding, I personally wouldn't be comfortable with that at all.

When I first got Rabbit my youngster, Baggs my older lad was an absolute arse to him - he chased him around, made it his life goal to terrorise the poor sod and was generally the most obnoxious knob. So I took Rabbit out the herd, popped him with some other horses and let him do some growing before reintroducing. Upon the reintroduction 2 months later, Baggs marched up to Rabbit, clearly ready to start round 2 of torment, promptly realised that Rabbit had grown and therefore was taller than him, and he tried a pathetic attempt at a bite, before slinking away in embarrassment. Ever since they've gotten on really well and now are happy to hang out together with no issues.

Seeing as there is one particular mare who is instigating the behaviour, is it at all possible to section the field in such a way that everyone can go out but there is a fence between them, so no one can reach to start any fights etc?

Also, the fact that another youngish one was recently introduced over the summer and has chunks missing out of him too, would personally have me asking if the 13 y/o mare is suitable to be in a field with the youngsters?

Perhaps she feels unsettled by the changes and therefore her behaviour is her way of telling everyone? Or maybe she simply doesn't like having youngsters around?

I'm all for mixed herds of sexes and ages, but your youngster needs a positive experience, otherwise this could come back as an issue further down the line when older x
 
There will always be one horse that is the herd leader - usually the oldest dominant mare. A herd of horses will always push any new youngsters to the edge of the herd and keep them there until the youngster learns the herd dynamics. This can take a week or two. As long as the field is big enough for the youngster to keep out of the way and there is enough grazing or multiple hay piles spread around I would leave them. It is the natural behaviour of a herd and you interfere at your peril!
 
Shes such a good temperament bless her letting me pop some cream on it but the fact said horse was lunging at her over stable door walking past too, she was just starting to settle coming in for winter too. shes such a gentle character so perhaps easily bullied. I dont want to uspet said livery by being the one saying they are bullying. but does seem to be just this top dog. Im tempted to put a rug on her for protection but we've not done much desensitisation with that yet and shes fluffy enough to be warm
 
This is why we have separate mare and gelding herds, ages ranging from yearlings to 29 yo who keeps a wise eye on youngsters, puts them in their place if necessary but kindly. Luckily all the fields are huge, so plenty of escape routes, and the babies tend to pal up as a team. Usually find it takes just a couple of days for things to settle down and calm to return.
 
Interestingly I just saw something where they put a grazing muzzle on a biter (butade hole at bottom bigger, but not big enough to grab skin) could that be a solution
 
So I have a very very strong alpha mare that is extremely clear in thinking all youngsters are scum until they learn to be subservient and obey the rules. Her rule is absolutely not a democracy. Yes babies have had bites but I’ve never had to take them out as providing they have enough room and extra water, they learn about hierarchy very quickly.

The mare very soon puts manners on everything turned out with her and I have to say they’re all better for it.

In a herd of youngsters without an older stronger herd leader this can cause the de facto herd leader is usually the biggest youngster really issues. It’s natural for them all to fight to be the head but as I’ve said it’s usually the biggest. I can guarentee (touchwood) this herd leader with be the least developed emotionally and least confident. I believe due to him seeing danger everywhere he goes to protect the herd. Meanwhile I find the bottom of the herd the most confident as they’ve had to go it alone but also benefit from a leader. Fascinating to me, but I’ve now learned a youngster shouldn’t be herd leader as it does have quite a strong impact on confidence.
 
Thanks all ! No new bites last night!. @hock that was really interesting thank you for your input. I agree in a sense its good for them as a baby not in check gets overconfident and bargey. The 3 babies in the group 1, 2 and 3yo all trotted off in a line this morning with my baby with her two body guards either side it simply melted my heart. Hoping a few more days and they will really settle. !
 
i have a mare similar to @hock . She is a very good mother, as her dam was. But she will take control of the herd shes in ( as her dam did). I would absolutely not put a new weanling/ youngster in with her straight away. Id pop them in a field next to her, even stable next to her until she gets used to them. Once shes settled over the fence id let them meet in a very large field. ( she wears a headcollar for this).
She will bite, ive seen it. Its usually when they havent read her subtle cues. They will go where she wants them too, they will eat when she chooses. Once shes satisified that they will behave she looks after them, teaches to groom, to settle, to not be frightened of fireworks, trucks etc etc She is fabulous. But they have come in with a few bites when they push the boundaries. She does not kick them, thats a no go.
 
My yearling is non spooky , curious sociable and just stands there when unsure, so that makes sense why the new 2yo has probably responded to her ques (and avoided bites), whereas my yearling will have stood there dumbfounded / slow to respond I bet!
 
starbucker said:
My yearling is non spooky , curious sociable and just stands there when unsure, so that makes sense why the new 2yo has probably responded to her ques (and avoided bites), whereas my yearling will have stood there dumbfounded / slow to respond I bet!
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absolutely. My 2yo is the same, hes a bit thick and has taken a bit of time to realise he needs to do as she says. Hes much better now, bt its taken a good 6 months
 
Asha said:
absolutely. My 2yo is the same, hes a bit thick and has taken a bit of time to realise he needs to do as she says. Hes much better now, bt its taken a good 6 months
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All the reasons I took to her of course! She was stuck in all weekend for worming and has been described by the livery staff as walking in and out and catching like an angel (proud owner alert)
 
Asha said:
i have a mare similar to @hock . She is a very good mother, as her dam was. But she will take control of the herd shes in ( as her dam did). I would absolutely not put a new weanling/ youngster in with her straight away. Id pop them in a field next to her, even stable next to her until she gets used to them. Once shes settled over the fence id let them meet in a very large field. ( she wears a headcollar for this).
She will bite, ive seen it. Its usually when they havent read her subtle cues. They will go where she wants them too, they will eat when she chooses. Once shes satisified that they will behave she looks after them, teaches to groom, to settle, to not be frightened of fireworks, trucks etc etc She is fabulous. But they have come in with a few bites when they push the boundaries. She does not kick them, thats a no go.
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Funnily enough my mare is super when foals are with mum and ends up being a baby sitter mostly. Weaning is then easier and everyone knows everyone else. Thank goodness for these mares they really are an asset and I had t thought about it but none of my lot touchwood react to the fireworks that have grown up with her. The unsung heroes of the horse world.
 
starbucker said:
Thanks all ! No new bites last night!. @hock that was really interesting thank you for your input. I agree in a sense its good for them as a baby not in check gets overconfident and bargey. The 3 babies in the group 1, 2 and 3yo all trotted off in a line this morning with my baby with her two body guards either side it simply melted my heart. Hoping a few more days and they will really settle. !
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Horses … one minute absolute fear and terror on their behalf the next minute pride and tears. It’s a roller coaster, so glad touchwood things are improving!
 
starbucker said:
Thanks all ! No new bites last night!. @hock that was really interesting thank you for your input. I agree in a sense its good for them as a baby not in check gets overconfident and bargey. The 3 babies in the group 1, 2 and 3yo all trotted off in a line this morning with my baby with her two body guards either side it simply melted my heart. Hoping a few more days and they will really settle. !
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What a relief, I'm pleased for you! Sounds like things should settle down in a normal timeframe then. Lovely that your baby is getting to grow up in stable herds.
 
It is a relief. the older 2 seem to have calmed and backed off seems to be just the mid-pack youngster who seems to be chasing them into the gate/ trying to barge out as they get turning in/out seems to be the remaining issue! shes a nightmare makes bringing in and out very awkward.

Im completely smitten with her after having her up and interacting with her more now she's in on a night for winter! Long may her politeness continue. She seems to have shot up 2-3 inches since august and looking bum high again! Just need to get her stopping flipping her feed bucket over now ... currently holding it down with my foot while she eats !
 
starbucker said:
Just need to get her stopping flipping her feed bucket over now ... currently holding it down with my foot while she eats !
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Mine went through a phase of doing this, it was incredibly annoying but he seemed to grow out of it. I'm still not clear what he got from doing it, except mouthfuls of grit and dirt with his dinner.
 
Widgeon said:
Mine went through a phase of doing this, it was incredibly annoying but he seemed to grow out of it. I'm still not clear what he got from doing it, except mouthfuls of grit and dirt with his dinner.
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I ended up getting mine a parallax slow feeder. Wasn’t just flipping his feed bucket with his teeth, his front feet were getting involved and was very messy and wasteful!

He’s 2 1/2 now and no better 🤣
 
starbucker said:
It is a relief. the older 2 seem to have calmed and backed off seems to be just the mid-pack youngster who seems to be chasing them into the gate/ trying to barge out as they get turning in/out seems to be the remaining issue! shes a nightmare makes bringing in and out very awkward.

Im completely smitten with her after having her up and interacting with her more now she's in on a night for winter! Long may her politeness continue. She seems to have shot up 2-3 inches since august and looking bum high again! Just need to get her stopping flipping her feed bucket over now ... currently holding it down with my foot while she eats !
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I ended up with a feeder in a tyre to stop feeder flipping using legs. Bulky and heavy but very very effective!!
 
Oh god ! Hoping she grows out of it quickly, holding it for 20 mins while she eats is going to get tiring quick ha! I turned away for 2 minutes yesterday and she flipped it into her water bucket like a apple bobbing game it was quite funny! She was quite confused why it was moving
 
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