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  Discussion on New mare is herding pasture mate??
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Member:
lindac

Posted on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 - 9:20 pm:

Dr. O,
I have just brought a new 8 yr. old mare into my 2-horse barn. I have a 16 yr. old mare as a companion horse. When they met the first time the new mare immediately displayed "in heat" symptoms .... raising her tail, and peeing small amounts. They have been together for about a 1 week and every morning when they are turned out together the 8 yr. old raises her tail and pees. I have seen her do this numerous times throughout the day when she is standing next to the older mare. I don't really care about this but I am wondering if this "in heat" issue could be causing the following problem which I am very concerned about. The new mare is constantly herding the older mare, blocking her, intercepting her if she tries to leave by pinning her ears and nipping at her, pretty much shadowing her, and if the older one manages to find an opening then she chases her until she blocks her again. Just plain annoying. Unfortunately the older mare is very non-aggressive and will not defend herself. All of the sudden the herding behavior will stop and the new mare will walk away as if she doesn't care anymore, then 15 minutes later it starts all over again. When I remove the 8 yr. old mare she acts totally normal and does not display any separation anxiety or "mareish" behavior, in fact she behaves beautifully and does everything asked of her. But once she is returned back into the paddock .... away she goes .... raising the tail, peeing and herding. The last couple of nights she has actually tried to stop the older one coming in the barn, so it's ended up being a bit of a circus whereby the 8 yr. old has pinned her ears at me and won't let me catch her. But once I bring out a pail of treats her behavior completely changes and she's acts perfectly when I snap the lead on. I've had 4 mares in the past and never seen anything like this. It has not reached a point of kicking, squealing, etc., but I have concerns. I should add that this mare is used to being on 24 hr. turnout and that has suddenly changed to being stalled at night. So truly she is not used to coming inside and I will now have to train her that coming inside for the night is now the "new" routine. However, my safety is important and I am concerned for the older mare as she is such a sweetheart and does not need this kind of stress. If this is just a temporary settling in thing that been has been unfortunately timed with the new mare's heat cycle I would appreciate your opinion on this and anyone else who has experience with mares in heat. This is a really lovely mare who shows exceptional talent under saddle and is very respectful when being handled, groomed, and in her stall. I just never expected this behavior from her on turnout and since I have never actually experienced a mare behaving this way I am really stumped ...???

Thanks.
Member:
lindac

Posted on Monday, Oct 22, 2012 - 10:36 pm:

Hi Dr. O,
I forgot to add that the previous owner said this mare is extremely quiet on turnout and does not display mareish behavior during her heat cycle, but she was also the lowest horse on the pecking order at that barn which is one of the reasons I now have her. The owner said that regardless of what group of horses this mare was turned out in she had to put a separate pile of hay out for her as she got kicked out otherwise. She said the only horse she was ever allowed to eat with was gelding who was also one of the lowest on the pecking order. Since my older mare is about as low as you can go I thought this would be a good fit for her as she has always been bit and kicked by previous horses I've had. Now she's being nipped and herded .....
Moderator:
DrO

Posted on Wednesday, Oct 24, 2012 - 9:35 pm:

Hello smiley,
All of this sounds like pretty normal new mare meets new mare behavior that is a bit intensified because they are alone together. They will behave this way when they are not in heat.

I cannot predict how this will turn out. Most often in time the two make accomadations and get along once they become OK with where they sit in the pack hierarchy of 2. Infrequently neither can come to terms and the battle escalates. You best tactic is to avoid those situations that cause aggressive displays and actions while they work this out.
DrO
Member:
lindac

Posted on Thursday, Oct 25, 2012 - 8:25 pm:

Hi Dr O.
Since the older mare is very non-confrontational things seem to have calmed down a bit. I knew going into this that whatever horse I brought into this mix the older mare would be lower in the hierarchy. That's just her station in life. Fortunately the new mare has ceased the intense "in heat" symptoms and that has really made a difference in her demeanor as she is no longer shadowing the moves of the older mare, a little herding, but not so obsessive about it. Just need to give them time.

Appreciate your input though, as it helps to lessen my concern about the intense herding that was going on. Over the years I've had both geldings and mares and have watch them work things out in the pecking order but have never seen the herding aspect of it until now.

Thanks.
Member:
frances

Posted on Friday, Oct 26, 2012 - 3:59 am:

That's good news!
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