Horse Problems . . help Please 10pnts!!

Question

I have a 28yo gelding and an 8 month old colt in the same paddock. The Gelding has it all over the colt when left alone in the paddock. When i enter the paddock the colt nearly always immediately puts himself Behind me and out of reach of the gelding. Ok so i know he thinks im going to protect, because i do i dont let any nonsense happen with the gelding whilst im there. But thats beside the point my question is, How can i stop the gelding from going crazy everytime i take the colt out. The colt is fine with leaving the gelding its no prob taking him away but the gelding who "ACTS" like he hates the colt nearly has a heartattack everytime! I mean he actually FLIPS himself over backwards! I cant have him doing this at his age as im waiting for serrious damage but on the same hand i cant NOT continue my work with the colt that has been coming along so well. I have two other horses but i cant put either of them with the gelding as they fight pretty harshly (iv tried putting one and both of them in when i take the colt out) No matter what i do the gelding either freaks out or seeks revenge on whatever i put in the colts place. Also i cant do my excersizes in view of the gelding as the only level part of my block is the covered in arena. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have seen geldings do what yours is doing. This is one reason I prefer mares. If you lock him in the barn, he will kick down the doors or hurt himself. You won't be able to stop this unless someone else works with the gelding while you work with the colt. They best thing you can do is put him where he can't hurt himself and let him throw his tantrum. He may have it all over your colt, but he is very attached to it. I don't think he hates your colt, he is just raising a teenager.

Answer 2

Sounds a bit like separation issues. Have you tried feeding your gelding outside when you remove your colt? Im assuming your gelding is the leader bewteen the two? Ive only ever had this problem when we remove the leader of the herd, the rest dont know what to do with themselves.

Try having you or someone else put out some grain when you remove the colt. If it persists, contact a trainer or try out www.horseforum.com.

Answer 3

obviously you gelding doesn't like your colt and your colt is not afraid of your gelding my be you should goggle it or try to get rid of one  i know its hard but you just cant keep them to gether!

Answer 4

This is a seperation issue, no doubt about it.  The gelding picks on the colt in the field because he has dominance from his size and experience.  This is the same reason he cannot get along with horses his own size.  He wants to dominate but his physical condition (from age) prevents him from doing so.  He gets his giggles from teasing the colt.  The colt doesn't particularly like it, but there's not much he can do at his age and/or temperment.  That may change later.  So when you take the colt away, the gelding has no one to dominate and get attention from.  He throws a tantrum because picking on "his" colt was the most fun he's had in a while.

I suggest taking the colt out and replacing him with a burro or donkey.  He will be small enough for your gelding to think he has the upperhand, but plucky enough to put him in his place when needed.  Also, it would be permanent companionship, as you won't be working the donkey.  Donkeys are great to keep at barns where companionship may an issue for horses that are retired or are otherwise isolated.

If that won't work for you, then you will either have to let him have the tantrums or have someone occupy him until your done with the colt.  The downside is that, eventually, the colt will able defend himself and you may end up with the two fighting like the gelding does with the others.

Answer 5

Ok so me and my friend had the same problem with are horses, except it was bad becuase we show are horses and if they wernt showing at the same time they would freak out and go crazy. Eventualy you just have to seperate them and keep them out of site from each other. Try feeding the gelding and just staying out there and petting him for a wile until he calms down. Maybe Try getting a goat or something I herd they make great companions for horses.

Answer 6

would it be possible to put the gelding in a stable or smaller enclosed  area, with some hay and a juicy feed to help keep his mind off the colt.

or to start off by giving the gelding a feed in the field while you take the colt out, but keep the colt a little way away while you just groom him etc.  the gelding will then hopefully be more interested in the feed.  then do the same after a few days routine try taking the colt away for his handling out of sight.  old horses usually prefer being on their own,  as my old shetland would always be at the opposite end of the field to the rest of his companions.  but old horses always like their feed.

good luck.    

Answer 7

well

i have a horse exactly the same all it is, is that the colt and gelding are actually good friends like they keep each other safe at night and through  the day even no they look like they hate each other they would still love each other inside so its natural. when you were young u probably got scared when u got lost in the markets or something so its the same really.

try to give the horse some food while the other ones out or something if ur to worried.