How can I deal with my bossy mare?

Question

I just adopted 2 horses 2 weeks ago. A mare (12) and a gelding(15). The mare is very affectionate and sweet with people but not so much with the male. My problem is she wants all the attention and won`t let anyone near the male. She runs him off when ever you try to get close to him. It`s awlful - he`s so sweet and you can`t spend anytime with him. If you put her in her stall she freaks out if she can`t see him. Then he gets upset - when she gets upset. I have to take a crop to the pasture and yell "back" to her if I want to go near him. It`s very stressful because you know she going to pin and run at him if you let your guard down. But she is so lovable with people. Any help would be appreciated

Answer 1

ive see horses like that before. basically innseperable! what you might want to try doing is putting them in  different pasture areas so they can still see each other but she cant run him off when u go in the stall or pasture!  

Answer 2

The crop works okay but so will a kids plastic ball bat. Use it between the ears if possible. It doesn't hurt but the sound will get her attention.

Answer 3

Wow that sounds like a tricky situation. I would recommend a Lunge Whip which is useful because its long so you can ward her off from a distance and if you have the time start some ground work on both horses.

Most problems in horses can be associated with a bad foundation (Little or no ground work.)

Also to try and decrease the dependence on one another maybe take the mare out of the paddock to graze or whatever while staying close to the gelding so they can still see each other. Then just keep increasing the distance and vice versa for the gelding. Eventually it wont be so stressful when they are seperated so you can discipline your mare when necesscary.

*Hope I helped!

Answer 4

I doubt that it is ever going to change as long as they run together...she is the boss.  You didn't say whether they came from the same place or not, if so, I imagine that this has been a long standing relationship.

Answer 5

I hate to say but that is the way of horses. There is always gonna be a boss. Just keep using your crop if you want to get to him. There's not much you can do about this one.

Answer 6

You can put her on hormone meds. it really does help.

Answer 7

Tie her near by so you can be near both of them and perhaps touch both of them. Reassure her and reward her good behavior with treats. It works best to have two people, one for each horse. That way neither feels left out. She will lean that when he gets petted she will get treats. Make sure to slowly wean her to get a treat AFTER you mess with him, so she doesn't maul you if she is treatless while you are petting him after you go through the whole process. Some people prefer to give treats in a specific place so they know that is where they will always come from and avoid pushy, nippy problems.