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  Discussion on Mean horse !!!
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Posted on Tuesday, May 29, 2001 - 5:19 pm:

I recently bought a RMHA gelding that is a wonderful horse under saddle, however, he is very mean and abusive to my other horses. He is 5 yrs old and just recently seriously injured a 14 months old filly I have. He bit her so often and hard that she has open chunks taken out of her. She finally collapsed before I could get to her. Our older gelding tried to protect her but could not. This 5 year old is not a big horse, but much bigger than my filly. I can't understand why he would attack that sweet filly. He would certainly have killed her if I had not stopped him. He is not this way to humans, but is mean to all horses. Please help me understand why he would nearly kill this tiny, helpless filly.

Thank you for your help.

Karen

Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 9:50 am:

While I understand horses of all ages comingle in the wild, I personally would not turn out a 5yo with a 14 month old. I raise young ones and keep the adults from the younger ones until age 3-4.

Horses have a herd mentality and establish a pecking order-your gelding just wants to establish himself ahead of the filly.

You may want to look into different pasture arrangements-an older gelding would be best for the 5yo-one that will not likely out up with his nonsense! The filly should have pasture mates her own age or an adult pony or donkey would be great.

Posted on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 - 8:10 pm:

I agree with Leah, though mixed horses can get along, particularly if brought up together, this is a common scene if you bring in new horses and mix them with horses that cannot stand up for themselves. Best is to put him in with adults who will stand up for themselves when pushed too hard.
DrO
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