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I need an answer to a specific question regarding buddy sour. My gelding has never been sour before. This just started – is there a reason why this would all the sudden be an issue? I have 2 horses and they are both buddy sour on each other. Both act up. But I am the only rider so I can’t work them at the same time. I plan to try the technique of workng them when they are together and letting them rest away. Can I do this by myself? I was wondering if I tied one horse, and worked the other I’m riding around the tied horse. Then walk away and as long as he behaves, he can rest. If he acts up again, I go back to the buddy that is tied and work more. Will that work??? And how long does this take? Should I expect it work after a few days of doing this or is it always on ongoing issue?
(Since both are sour, I’ll have to ride each one seperatly and tie the one I’m not riding)
ONe last specific question: My gelding is buddy sour but if I take him away from the property in a trailer, and he is around other horses, he is fine. He does not seem to remember his partner that we left home.Is that normal? Please help bkmeier@suddenlink.net -
As long as you have just two horses living together you will find that they will miss each other’s company when separated. This is just normal horse behavior. How reactive they are will differ from horse to horse. And yes when reunited with other horses it is normal to settle down, though there are some horses that continue to look for their pasture mate. I am not sure I understand what you want to do with these horses and how their current behavior interferes with your goal. Also your description of working and resting is not clear to me; can you explain that further?
DrO -
1. is there a reason why this buddy sour stuff would all the sudden be an issue?
2. I plan to try the technique of working them when they are together and letting them rest away from each other. Can I do this by myself? Or do i have to have someone riding the other horse while i ride one? I was wondering if I tied one horse, and worked the horse Im riding around the tied horse, would that work? I would work the horse im riding while around the horse that is tied. Then walk away and as long as he behaves, he can rest. If he acts up again, and gets stressed as he is walking away, then I will go back to the buddy that is tied and work him more. Will that work???
3. Should I expect this technique to work after a few days of doing this or is it always on ongoing issue?
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Taking your questions in order:
!.None that I am aware of. Has anything changed in their environment? Are they both geldings? It is time for horses to start their estrus cycles, have you noticed any estral behavior if one is a mare?2. Are you worried about your skills or the horses hurting themselves or both? I don’t see why this cannot be attempted single handedly as long as you don’t exceed your skills and the horses do not react dangerously. If I understand you correctly it sounds like you are trying to use work as negative reinforcement to the behavior. Is it possible this may lead your horse to avoiding work? I have had luck with separating such horses for 3 or more days but if you return them to the same situation, you may find they eventually return to the same behaviors. What exactly are you trying to do that the current situation prevents you from doing? If you run into a wall, I would get some professional help that can observe you and the horses.
3. Not knowing the cause, and considering the variability of horse’s behaviors, and with the uncertainty of what are your expectations, it is hard to predict.
4. Yes, I am glad to try and help you but as we are traveling right now answers may be a little sporadic. Internet service on the Snake / Columbia Rivers can be a bit touch and go.
DrO -
My horses are terribly buddy sour. Yes, being in season adds to the drama. I’ve found that regular practice helps prepare them for the separation. I’m dealing with 1,400 lb Friesians. I’ve found that small separations that are gradually increased helps to create a calmer situation. I was going to have to leave my filly home alone with iffy fencing. So I practiced the day before. I put her in a pen, gave her some hay, and then removed the two older horses. Drama ensued, but she didn’t challenge the pen. I did the same thing the next day, no reaction. It was like, well, nothing happened yesterday, so they will be back.
Ride a short distance away, force the horse to stand its ground. When it is calm and quiet, return. Next day, go a little bit farther. And farther the next day.
A lot depends on how independent the horse is. If I’m horse camping, she will bond with a strange horse if she can see it.
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