No, this post is not about the all too familiar horses musical tootin'. It is about switching horses around to find peace. You know ~ musical horses.
Putting Cierra in with Hope and Harmony went well the first couple days. Until Cierra turned into an over protective Mama. It was not unexpected, but we had to try.
Clapping, whistling and yelling "don't let her do that" could be heard, when we noticed Hope trying to nurse. One would think Cierra would tire of this normal baby behavior, especially if/when it hurt. I watched Cierra position herself, even when Hope wasn't asking.
Thankfully, Cierra stayed dry. However, she frantically tried to keep Hope by her side. Key word try. When Cierra wasn't doing that, she was keeping Harmony away. Not only from Hope, but the feeder too. It was a non-stop job. Cierra was going to run herself ragged, cutting between Hope and the world that surrounds her. Even Hope got tired of Mama's possessiveness and threw one of her baby fits. Wish I could predict them and capture a video to share. They come out of nowhere and are so funny!
water tank gossip
(Cierra, Nemo and Harmony & Hope)
10/17/23
While all this was going on Nemo was busy in the neighboring pasture, keeping Koda away from the girls. Our split herd hangs out together where the water and gates are. He was not allowed to cross an invisible line, but kept trying. Not ideal for a horse recovering from lameness. I could see Koda was stressed around Nemo, when we brought him in.
Cierra cannot be in the same pasture as Hope for now. We don't need a possessive mare, so Cierra went back in with our boys.
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The original 3 sharing
10/14/23
Everything went well, until it didn't. Now that Cierra has release her hostage, Nemo is less concerned with her. It is all about keeping Koda away from HIS girls! Needless to say, we are currently back to half day turnout. Chores 3X a day it is. Alternating Koda and Nemo daily. What. A. Pain!!! Meanwhile Hope hangs out with Harmony in the neighboring pasture.
Harmony & Hope in lower pasture
10/17/23
I will be the first to say I am a bit surprised. Koda and Nemo have been together their whole lives. They were born one day apart (same breeder) and have lived together for 15 years. WTF. Excuse my acronym, but we were expecting our happy herd to be reunited. Our horses let us know they want to be together. If only they checked their opinions at the gate.
Nemo & Koda indoor reunion test
10/14/23 (16 sec)
Nemo has always been herd boss, but has become very possessive. Our third pasture behind the arena is coming in nicely, but will not be ready for horses (er' maybe just one) until next year.
There are times over a horses life that requires a switcharoo. We humans do need to let them work things out. Let them be horses. Within reason. We refuse to throw horses together and watch vicious behavior. Like the horror story a local acquaintance recently told me. "A young four year old mare was purchased and put into a pasture with the resident herd. The nicest calmest gelding beat the crap out of her. She stood shaking in the corner. You could see him take chunks out of her. It went on for days. Eventually it stopped and the young mare was brought in. Bloody and bitten all over both sides."
Who knowingly allows this?!! That poor horse. Not us. Instead, we will continue playing musical horses. Even if it is added work for us.
5 comments:
At least you are working all the herd dynamics out!
I think I'd rather deal with mares than geldings. I hope you can find a balance, it might just take some time until the new wears off of the new arrangement. I always like to have a babysitter mare- it was Gussie in my herd. Cierra being a first time mom is probably why she is still so attached to her baby. Next year Hope will be a big girl, so things should be better then.
Oh gosh! Sounds awful. I always switch horses around in order to keep the peace. I have been accused of overthinking it, but I’ve also seen horses get injured, and why risk it? With time, they usually figure it out. It’s a lot of work for us though. As my herd has aged, we also have so many other issues, like how long, or if, some can graze. Lots and lots of switcheroos!
Who leaves a horse to be abused in that way?! Thst poor mare. A knowledgeable horse person told me that it can take 6 months for the herd dynamics to sort out when a new horse is introduced. I don’t have enough experience to judge. I’m sure it will all settle and you don’t mind all the extra work, right? 😁
Uffdah! That sounds like a royal pain in the arse. I have not ever had to deal with that sort of dynamics here.
But I understand, no one should get hurt.
The only pushing around of critters happens during feeding time, but I feed them in 3 spots far away from each other.
That is quite a bit of extra work!
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