Horse Behavoir

[Ed Thayer]

Good morning all. Our new Belgian Ozzie has been with us now for 3 weeks. It appears to me that he and our Haflinger gelding Franz are still having issues getting along.

Oz will follow the other horse around at times constantly, and nip at him. Then the haflinger will rear up and try to kick sometimes striking Oz in the chest or chin. Sometimes Franz will lift his front end up and use his front feet to defend himself.

There is never any bites that break the skin but I have to wonder what is going on. Other times they leave each other alone and stand in different parts of the pasture. This nipping behavior does not happen at feeding time as they are fed hay in seperate piles away from each other.

The mare we have is never bothered by Oz and she generally stays away from the other two horses now.

Any ideas as to what these two are up to? I wish I could record it and post it here for you to see.

Thanks,

ED

[LStone]

Patience Ed. Im no pro but in my opinion this too shall pass. Unless someone gets hurt there is nothing to worry about here. They are just forming the new heard and rearranging the paygrades. My guys were the same way when they came together and they are still working it out a year later. Gelding, mare, and colt; each has a place. Personally I feed hay in one pile and let them work it out. The little guy doesn’t go hungry by any means. Watch and study their language and enjoy the spectacle.

Larry

[jen judkins]

Ed, I agree with Larry. Alot of this is just play and socialization. If no one is losing hair or skin, I wouldn’t worry about it. You can learn alot for this type of behavior in regard to how horses move and motivate each other. Take advantage of that.

I have horses that have lived together for years play rough like this very frequently. I think of it as play time and a sign that they are happy and their bellies are full enough they have time for it.

[Ed Thayer]

Thank you for the responses. I was getting worried that I might have to seperate them or something. I guess once the pasture greens up and they start to graze, maybe that will occupy thier time.

I can’t wait for things to dry out. My front pasture appears to be the worst I have ever seen it in regards to mud. I have been keeping the horses in thier stalls at night to give thier feet a chance to dry out. Hopefully I won’t encounter any foot problems with them.

Think Spring,

ED

[sanhestar]

Hi,

it’s also very common behaviour among geldings (who are former stallions). They play more and more roughly because that is what young (!) stallions would do.

Having a mare in the same group gives them more “cause” to do these competing games.

[whoamule]

I, too think they’re playing, or trying to initiate play. One of mine has been doing it for ten years now, still waiting for him to grow up.
ed

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