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  Discussion on Gelding Bites other Gelding's neck
Author Message
New Member:
Cindyljk

Posted on Thursday, Apr 7, 2005 - 8:27 pm:

HI - I have two geldings that share two 12 x 12 stalls and a common 40 x 40 paddock. They also have turnout with my two mares a few hours a day. One gelding is 7 and was castrated at 14 months. The other is 6 and was castrated at 4 years and 8 months. He had been a breeding stallion. The former breeding stallion is the low ranking horse in the herd. The eldest mare is the chosen leader of the herd. The other gelding is a bully - chasing others from food, water, etc.

The two geldings often engage in face fighting or neck biting as a game. The former breeding stallion initiates it and seems to follow the bully gelding around - perhaps bothering him because he is so needy. The bully gelding always wins the game, and leaves the other gelding with bite marks and horrid swelling.

I do not want to separate the geldings because the former breeding stallion seems to need 24-7 companionship. When he was a stallion he was a terrible self-mutilator, and tore off blankets, kicked walls, etc. After being gelded he still occasionally kicked wallks, but no more self-mutilation. He accepted the blanket calmly. However he was still very aggressive to humans when stalled. He would pin his ears and act as though he were going to bite. Having the shared paddock and stalls has made him completely docile and friendly to humans. He seems to need the companionship after being isolated as a stallion.

Any tips on getting the neck biting to stop? There is also lots of wall kicking and dirty looks when they wander into separate stalls.I am worried that he will be seriously injured or seriously scarred.

-Cindy
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Friday, Apr 8, 2005 - 9:53 am:

How about grazing muzzles, I am beginning to believe you can fix anything with a grazing muzzle.
DrO
Member:
Liliana

Posted on Friday, Apr 8, 2005 - 3:39 pm:

Hi Cindy,

Hi Cindy,

May I ask some questions? How long have the boys been together?
My Chechen was gelded at 12, he is a QH X about 14hh and when I introduced William 16hh and Henry 15.2hh Chechen gave them a run for their hay for a while, few bites kicks etc. this went on for about two months and now they have all found their place in the hiraqui. Also Chaca, Chechen's mrs gave Scarlet a good bitching over. Scarlet dared flirt with Chechen. Few bites, few tears, but now William hangs around with Scarlet. Chaca dumped Chechen for Henry and Chechen plays fight with Ulemba Chak his colt son 2yo and still complete.

It's fun to watch them, they do argue but it is natural, who doesn't living together for two years eh?!!

Best regards
Liliana
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