Pet Information > ASK Experts > Horses > Horses Behavior > Herd bound

Herd bound

20 17:24:07

Question

Bambi
Hi Christine,
My husband and I have been enjoying the trails this summer with Bambi and Jack. We had a really nice ride last weekend and had a blast. We have noticed lately though that our new gelding is VERY much in love with Bambi. I think he fell in love with her at first site. Their stalls and runs are next to each other and they are turned out together as well. I was watching them the other day and they were sharing a pile of hay in the pasture with their noses pressed up against each other! Jack is more attached to Bambi than she is to him, but she loves him too.
So far it hasn't been an issue because we take them together as we trail ride together, and I am very glad they get along so well. BUT, I know being herd bound isn't always a good thing. Is/are there training methods to keep this from becoming an issue? I have never heard either of them call to each other - maybe a small nicker here and there but nothing really noticible. Any advice?

Answer
Hi Susan

It sounds  like Bambi and Jack do exactly what my Crystal and her special friend Drummer do whenever they get a chance to be together........they share hay, go out in the same field  in fact   are almost joined at the hip!  BUT its never been a problem separating them at all.  In fact Drummer lives at a yard  4 miles away from Crystal, but no problems have ever arisen from the separation of them.

Best thing to do is  keep taking Bambi out both in company with Jack and on her own,  and the same for him, that way they  do not get too dependent on each other, and will quite happily  go out   without each other.