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Horse Behavior and Training

horse aggression with her pasture mate

Hello! 100 lessons completed
Hello, everyone.

I'm relatively new here but after reading some of the posts, I feel like I'm with family!  Therefore, I come to my family for some help and advise.

I have two horses.  They are not my first horses; my other two lived for many years...the oldest was put down at 30!  My heart was really crushed.  But, after several months without horses, I couldn't go any longer, so I bought my current two.

Here's the story (so that you have an understanding of the problem).  The first one I bought is a quarter horse, currently 3 years 4 months.  I bought her November, 2016.  She was in a pasture with many other horses and mules.  They were on 30+ acres, grass fed only.  It appeared they were well cared for.  In fact, when I went to look at her, she came right up to the owner.  This, of course, was because they fed treats!  (Not a good thing but that's what they did.)  I have named this horse Emzara...Em, for short.

For a pasture mate, in January 2017, I bought a paint filly, 1 year 7 months.  She is just a delight!  She is so gentle I can't believe it.  She had been lovingly cared for by the farm that bred her.  Her mother was still on site although, of course, she had been weaned.  I'm not sure that the break from her mother was complete although, what would I know?  The hint I have seen is that she comes up to Em and gives the foal mouth opening deal, like she's saying I want to be friends.  I've named her Zipporah...Zip, for short.

I thought these horses would be close enough in age to be compatible.  Em is larger than Zip but they are both still growing a little.  Em is definitely the one in charge.  At first I thought it was food aggression.  Em had not had regular feeding before and I had started a twice/day feed routine.  She would put her ears flat and try to chase Zip even though they were not even in the barn yet!  

To remedy that, I would have the feed pails ready so that when I went to feed, I could get Em to her stall quickly and then bring Zippy in.  That has helped with that issue.  But, having had them for 6 months+, the problem is not diminishing.

Now, things have escalated.  Em tried to bite and/or kick at Zip for no reason.  Well, there is a reason but I don't know what it is!  She has also become more aggressive with me.  She will waggle her head and prance around me in the field.  In the 6 weeks I had Em before I got Zip, I had done the chasing away thing in the field.  She got the idea and had joined up.  She whinnies at me when I come out and she willingly comes up to me in the field.

Yesterday, when I went for the evening feeding, Zippy had marks all over her from bite marks on her forehead above her eye, to scrapes all over her legs and face.  It appears to me that she had been cornered by Em and couldn't get away.  I'm am just devastated over this.  

I do not have facilities at the moment to separate the two.  I have a round pen ordered but it won't be delivered a another week or so.  Meanwhile, it is so hot in my little structure that I call a barn that I hate to pen Em in there, but I don't know how to proceed with this.  I thought maybe Em was jealous of Zip but I'm not sure.  I try to give attention with grooming, and just being with each one to "talk."

I bought the Dually halter and Em is wonderful in it!  In just a couple of sessions, she has learned to stop when I stop and is currently learning to back up.  Yesterday, she tried to rear with the halter on and I was able to school her immediately.  We continued our session without issue but she gives me the idea that she continues to want to be in charge.

All of this is a lot of verbage but the question is...what is the best way to correct this behavior from Em?  I think she will make a wonderful horse once I get through this.  Meanwhile, I don't want Zippy...or me...to be injured.  If there are suggestions, I would certainly appreciate any input.  
tukachance
Hello! 100 lessons completed
Oh, one more thing.  After yesterday's experience for Zip, I put a grazing muzzle on Em overnight to prevent any additional biting.  I don't know if she will become more aggressive about having that on again if I need to do that for tonight.  I wouldn't blame her if she objects!  It's the only thing I could think of to protect Zip.
JoHewittVINTA
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Hi & welcome to the forum. Firstly, practical solution: electric fence. You have a responsibility to protect Zippy. They are relatively cheap, easy & fast to install as well as effective. The horses can still interact but not have access to damage or entrap. Secondly, I've found 2 isn't a good number. Whenever you work with one the other is alone & that promotes jealousy. Em had your total attention for almost 2 months. She is possessive over you. If I were in your situation I would bring an older gelding into the pasture. In the wild horses choose who they live with. In captivity they don't get the choice. When I bought Apollo, in 1981, I moved him from a solitary pasture to a much better field with 5 other horses. They quickly became a settled, happy herd. Then a local woman, short of grazing, started to put her mare in our field during the day. That mare chased Apollo mercilessly & I spent many evenings stitching his ripped rug back together. Thankfully we all moved to winter quarters, without the problem mare, about a month later. I now have 3 geldings & a filly. Although she's the youngest, she thinks she rules the herd & mostly the boys go along with that. We have 2 feed buckets, a very broad, shallow one & a normal one. Max eats alone. Humphrey shares with his offspring, Kirk & Holy Moley with no arguments - ever! The foals shared with their Mother, Bella & Kirk just naturally moved over to his Dad when Holy Moley arrived. When we lost Bella, the family simply stayed together. Good luck with Em & Zippy. Cheers, Jo.
tukachance
Hello! 100 lessons completed
Hello, Jo.

Thanks for your insights and suggestions.  I'm in a spot to implement your suggestions so I need to give some thoughts to both of your suggestions.

As to the use of electric fencing.  I do have a solar charger and all the materials for the fencing.  Of the two horses that I've lost (one was 24 and one was 30; I had them each since one was 6 months and one was 9 months), one was insulin resistant and one had Cushing's, so you can undertand why I would have all the equipment!  The "spot" that I referenced was the fact that there is only one entrance into the barn.  These horses are free-choice with pasture 24/7.  It is sooooo very hot right now that I don't feel that I can leave either of them totally in the barn or totally out of the barn, if you understand what I'm saying.  Yesterday was 97 degrees and very humid.  No way could I leave any animal out in that...or inside in that.  I'm sure you wouldn't either.

With the terrible heat, I only put the grazing muzzle on Em for 2 nights.  It just didn't seem right to add to the "misery" of wearing that thing but I know that I'm putting myself into that muzzle.  After the first night, she didn't seem too resistant.

So, again, I'll need to see what I can do as your thinking makes sense.  As far as getting another horse, I hear your rationale but with only two stalls as well as adding to the cost of feed and vet care, I wouldn't be able to do that.  I will keep it in mind, though, as it does have merit.

Thanks for taking time to share your expertise and experience.  With acquisition of a new round pen, I am hoping that I can make inroads with Em in joining up.  She is young and I am certainly not giving up on her.  Miss Zipper will profit from it, too.

One more thing...with the Dually halter on Em, I am leading her around Zip and allowing Zip to come up to us when she wants to.  When Em's ears are showing her intent, I give her a little "school time."  I think it may be getting through that her aggressive behavior is not acceptable.


JoHewittVINTA
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Hi. My 4 live outside all year round, in Scotland & without rugs. Humphrey is an Irish cob & Max is a Welsh A. The youngsters are Irish cob x Welsh B so all are very hardy. We have a summer pasture, almost 4 acres with natural shelter from high hedges & a winter field lined with trees & a deep valley so lots of natural shelter. You need to protect your youngster from serious damage. Put up a temporary shelter in the pasture. Bales & a tarpaulin makes a good 3 sided shelter. Alternatively, a tarpaulin on poles. Either way, remember to introduce it to the horses so they understand not to fear the new structure. Hope this helps. Cheers, Jo.
tukachance
Hello! 100 lessons completed
Once again, thank you, Jo, for your suggestions and thoughts.  I'm making good progress with the Dually and schooling Em when Zip comes around.  They are pasturing great together and have been standing in the barn in the dark and quiet...hot, but quiet!  We're getting a break from the horrendous heat so that will be a welcomed thing for them, too.  I'll keep you posted.  Thanks again for the great suggestions.