Getting my youngster away from other horses.

Question
Hi,
I have just bought a 3 year old Andalusian, gelding, his name is Columbo, who has lived most of his life out with a number of other horses in a herd environment. He has been very basically halter broken but nothing else.

When he arrived (a week ago)I put him with my other gelding, Granjero, (who is actually Columbo's father.)He chased him around as you would expect horses meeting each other for the first time to behave so it was the easier option for Columbo to jump over the fence to a mare who he has been with every since. I have tried to put him back with Granjero but as soon as I let him go he is back over the fence! Unfortunately the fence separating the 2 fields is only electric fencing so quite easy to jump or break!!!

He has totally latched onto the mare who he follows everywhere all day long. He is never more than a few metres away from her.

For the past week I have slowly trying to coax him away from the mare and build up his confidence in me. I can get him away to a certain extent and he will allow me to groom him, etc, But he will only stand it for so long until he realises he isn't near the mare and then will do all he can to get away from me, including rearing, striking out and anything he can so I have to let him go. He doesn't seem afraid just nervious that he isnt next to her. I am not scared of him but obviously I dont want to get injured.

I know a quick fire solution to this problem would be to take the mare out of the field but it is not my mare and there is no other field for me to put him in. My idea was to build up his confidence in me so he wouldn't be afraid to come with me and away from the mare but a week down the line we have made a little progress but not much and I am not sure if it will work in the long run.

Please can you help me. I really want to start things with him but I am stopping before I've even started by not being able to get him out of the field and away from the mare.

I do have experience of raising and breaking youngsters as I bought Granjero from the same breeder and he had also lived out until I bought him as a 2 year old. Although I never had this problem with him, as he is much bolder and a more independent character.

I just don't know how to deal with it other than separating him and the mare which isnt really a practical option.

Any help and advice would be grately appreciated.

Thanks for reading this very long query!!!

Kate .

Answer
Hi Kate,

This is quite a perplexing dilemma for a couple of reasons.  I find it interesting that Columbo seems so bonded with this other mare and I wonder if he's a low-ranking horse.  As I'm sure you're aware, horses all have a "rank" based on where they fit into their herd, and their personalities correspond with their rank.  It seems to me that he is probably a lower-ranking horse and he thinks the mare protects him from other horses.

As for breaking this cycle, it will never hurt for you to build up his confidence in you - that's always a good thing.  But when he starts aggressive behaviors like striking and rearing, you need to have something to reprimand him with.  My tool of preference is a dressage whip because it's a bit longer, and very thin so it won't hurt, but it sure stings.  When he strikes at you and rears, you need to take swift action to let him know that's not acceptable.  Swat him on the chest with the whip when he strikes, and between the ears when he rears. If you watch horses in the wild, the lead horse will not tolerate any aggressive behavior toward him or her, and they quickly let the aggressive youngster know it with hooves and teeth.  Don't worry that he'll not trust you if you reprimand - it's actually quite the opposite.  If you don't correct his aggressive behaviors, he'll lose respect for you.

The other thing you'll want to keep in mind is that you're very clear about where your physical boundaries are, and not to let him into them without your permission.  Horses play two games:  space and path.  He who has the most space wins; and he who controls the path wins.  If you allow a horse to crowd into your space without inviting him in, he believes he's in control (not you).  Likewise, when you're leading him, if he takes control of where you're going (path), he knows you're not the leader.  Be very firm in these two things, and be consistent.  

At the same time, whenever he gives you what you're looking for, reward him with lots of pats and affection.  (Never, ever use food as a bribe - this can make the aggression worse.)  The rule of thumb is 3 rewards for every 1 correction.  That means setting up opportunities for him to succeed so you can reward him.  He's getting to the "teenage" phase where, just like human teens, he'll test every rule you lay down.  Expect this - it's a normal part of development.  This may be part of what you're seeing right now.  Just continue working with him and don't let him win - when he starts the obnoxious behavior, do not let him go back to the mare until he calms down and stands quietly with you for a while.  You don't want to reinforce bad behavior.

Hope this helps!  Don't give up - you'll get through this ugly stage and I'm sure he'll be a wonderful horse as a result of your persistence with him.  Every horse is a bit different, so once you find something that works with him, stick with it.  Good luck, and don't hesitate to contact me again if you have more questions.

--Susan