[EternalDreamer]

I just brought my two horses to my house ( one about a week ago, the other 3 days ago) and today put them in the same pasture after about 2-3 days of being at home in seperate pastures next to each other and stalled next to each other at night.
I assumed, since they seemed to be relating really well when they were in seperate pastures/stalls and even whinnying to each other when one of them was kept in the barn and the other left.
This morning right after I put them out, my gelding walked over to sniif my mare and get aquainted and when he was sniffing her hind end she kicked him a few times and now he won't go near anyone/thing and if she comes with 10 feet of him he moves.

I know my mare kicks when she feels her space in being invaded and horses (particularly males) sniff around her hind end. She is in heat..so shes a bit flirty but yesterday they were grooming each other over the stall wall and nickering to each other. I'm just wondering if theres any way I can help my mare be less mean to him? I'd prefer that they get along and I don't have to seperate them all the time, its a real hassle but I am worried for my geldings health incase she kicks him again/ he becomes withdrawn and afraid.
Any ideas? Am I missing some clue?

[rageandglory]

herd dynamics. she rules. it is hard to watch sometimes, but they usually work it out. chances are, the mare wants the gelding to "do his job" which is essentially to be the sentry. when he understands that, and gives in to it, all will likely be grand in kansas. in the barn, in their stalls, there is seperate and respected territoury, outside, it's all hers, just ask her ; )

[smitty]

Horses are herd animals. Usually there is one horse that is the most domineering in a herd...the boss so to speak. She may be as gentle as a lamb when not in heat but a witch when in heat....may get all snuggly with the boy and then when he gets too close...WHAM!
So, yes, they are friends. They will miss each other if one leaves but there is always the risk that the dominant one will kick the others butt if turned out together. I would just keep a fence between them...that doesn't always stop the kick from making contact either but they will be safer in the long run and you won't have to babysit all day.

[sher327]

what everyone else said I have one gelding who has a new mare in his herd. She told him in no uncertain terms " I may flirt with you at will, do anything I like and I am in charge of you so back off or I'll kill you" lol

Unfortunately for my thick skulled horse he isn't listening so she kicks at him regularly, it'll be ok once he listens

Another gelding with her is her boss and the other one knows when to back off so she doesn't kick at them. They work things out their own way usually. Don't worry about taking them apart, odds are it will be fine.

Never underestimate the grump factor of a mare in heat LOL

[Shotgun93]

You just have to let them work it out, horses will be horses and they will establish dominance. Usually, seperating them all the time just makes it worse. Let them fight it out for a few days, they'll settle down.

[rageandglory]

where it is just the two of them, and they know each other somewhat already, it is quite possible that, turned out together for short periods of time if possible to start, they will get along with in a week or so, babysitting will no longer needed (you'll know in the first five minutes if they can work it out or not. if there's no chance, it is quite obvious) and they can be out all day together. if seperated too long initially tho, the odds of actually fighting as opposed to just being told are greater, they will do more harm as at that point one will believe that the other doesn't belong there.. it is true that occasionally, two horses REFUSE to get along, and seperation is necessary if not enough space to allow for escape/refuge. make sure hay piles are at three or four well spread out locations, and they are seperated for grain, regardless. i discourage individual turn-out when appropriate and possible.

[men of passos]

i agree with everyone let them work it out!

[Deb]

If your gelding is moving away from her and not challenging her, they should be fine. They will work it out. She will be the boss of their tiny herd...it sounds like. Eventually she will just give him a "look" and he will move off.

[MissBandit]

Originally Posted by Shotgun93

You just have to let them work it out, horses will be horses and they will establish dominance. Usually, seperating them all the time just makes it worse. Let them fight it out for a few days, they'll settle down.

Exactly. If you continue to interfere by pulling them apart and re-introducing them it will only make things more difficult for them. Once horses figure out where they fit in the hierarchy of their little herd, all will be peaceful.