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Discussion on Rough Play and Biting Between Pasturemates
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 9:49 am:
I have two geldings who are close to the same age (3 and 4) who are turned out together 24/7. They get along well for the most part, but the older one is very much the dominant horse...and when he's getting that point across to the younger one, he frequently bites hard, leaving nasty bite wounds or missing patches of hair. They have a very playful relationship and clearly like being in each other's company, but I am so tired of constantly having to smear Nolvasan creme all over my poor beat-up 3yo. His winter blanket has numerous rips and tears from the bully's teeth. 
I think separating these guys would upset them both...so I'm wondering if I can use a muzzle, and if so, would it be very irritating to Jasper to have to wear it...? Does anyone out there have experience with this type of thing? Any suggestions? I do have two other horses on property that I could experiment with moving around, but I prefer to leave these two together if at all possible. (Sounds weird to say that they really "like" each other, but they are very bonded.)
As always, thanks for any guidance. I have never used a muzzle...wondering if they're more trouble than they're worth. Thanks!
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Member:
corinne
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 10:03 am:
Terri....I have had this problem for years as my horse is always the low one in the herd and my blanket budget runs our very quickly into the winter. We tried muzzles but they got them off quickly and I was afraid someone would get caught up.
Besides stitching up the patches I inquired with our vet about bitter apple. It is a benign product used to keep dogs from chewing on things and I tasted it and couldn't get the taste out of my mouth so I know why it works. I spray my horses blanket...especially on the rump area with is apparently rather luscious (the other horses words, not mine) and when he is not blanketed I spray a light spray on his hair, and on my hands to apply on his muzzle. It has worked very well and develops an aversion to the biting in the mind of the other horse...at least it has in my experience and I hardly have to do it anymore as they pretty much leave him alone. It might be worth a try. Also, while I haven’t found a rip proof blanket in the summer the Rambo Flybuster, which is a little over a hundred dollars is so well worth it, it had endured so much without one snap all season and hoses off all the stains in addition to drying in the sun quickly. Good luck!
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 12:48 pm:
Something that I noticed with my "LOW MAN" was as I have progressed with his training he has become more assertive in the pasture! What is your guys personality with you? Is he timid, laid back or just so-so? Mine was the biggest sissy I'd ever met! And biggest horse I've ever owned also, (Friesion/Morgan/Quarter horse)he's over 16H, which is big for me (has the head waaaay up there too) and much bigger than the rest of the 3 horse herd. He was getting beat up by everyone, even the littlest mare. As he's become more confident with all training issues, I've noticed his confidence improve in the pasture too. He still plays with the other gelding but you can see the different in how they play and who gets contact more.
Guess what I am saying is it may resolve itself in another year or 2. Don't know what to suggest until then though.
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Member:
terrilyn
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Posted on Tuesday, Feb 13, 2007 - 4:02 pm:
Hmmm. The bitter apple sounds intriguing. And certainly would be less expensive than the muzzle. I may give it a try and see what happens. Corrine, you apply the stuff to the muzzle of the victim? I guess when they play nose-to-nose Jasper would get a taste. Curious as to why the muzzle didn't hold up and how they were able to remove it...good suggestion--perhaps it will work for poor Jules. You should see his coat. Marks and scars from head to toe. His TB skin is very thin...
Angie, Jules is over 16H as well. His hallmark personality trait (and the reason my friend at the track called me and told me about him before they hauled him to an auction because he couldn't race) is his very quiet, unassuming nature. He's not afraid really, just very go-along-get-along. I can ask him for anything and he'll comply. I love this about him. Jasper on the other hand --- if he were a human, he'd be cliff diving or extreme skiing or being James Bond. He isn't mean...he's just very, very sure of his place in the world. He figures if Jules can't move out of the way quickly enough when he's feeling naughty, it's not HIS fault.
Jules and I have just started working together on beginning training and riding...I'm doing lots of Parelli-type and desensitizing stuff. I will be watching carefully to see if this helps. It makes sense that it would.
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