One horse kicking another

Question
QUESTION: I have a 4 1/2 year old QH, 4.3, 850lbs, Proud Cut. I have another QH 8 years old QH 5.1 1050lbs, Mare. We are having problems with the 8 year old. She has been with us a little over 2 weeks. She seems to be needlessly beating up on and kicking the Gelding. This morning I found the mare kicking the gelding over & over to run him out of his stall. We decide to lock him in until he is done eating. She eats out a temporary feeder outside the stall & finishes first. He stays in until done. Then I take her bucket out of the pasture and lock his stall so neither can get in. I am hoping to have removed the environment of contention. So far so good. If she starts up again for no reason whats next. History: She is broken, has been ridden & is partially trained ( needs 20 hours of good riding time). He is green leads well. I will be lunging both soon. Would this help?

ANSWER: Hi Robin!

Proud Cut?  Have you had blood tests and checked the levels of testosterone?  Are you sure he has a retained epididymis?  Was he cryptorchid?  If he really has stallion like behavior some simple blood tests may offer you an answer.  However, if his testosterone levels were high, I doubt that he would be playing second fiddle to the mare!  

Set things up for success and then allow the horses to sort things out.  Make sure you don't have any "traps" in the pasture.  If you are feeding them separately, make sure the gelding can eat without ever having the mare push into a small space and drive him off.  Close the gate or door and do not allow them to share this small space.  So long as the gelding has room to LEAVE and keep himself safe, he will.  I just think the stall was the problem.  It was a small space with FOOD!  That is an instant fight!  

Giving a horse a job always helps.  I don't lunge my horses.  It does nothing for the mind.  It causes the horse to counter bend and creates a brace.  The counter bend is something you will kick yourself for later!  It creates such a balance problem!  Just do your ground work.  Get to the feet, teach them how to yield hindquarters and get them bending soft.  Use your flag, tarp and slicker to build confidence and security.  There are so many other things you can do that will be be of greater benefit to the horse other than lunging!  Check out the Colt Starting and Ground Work DVD's by Buck Brannaman for more ideas!  Get going on this stuff and you will be amazed at the skill you can develop in your horses!

Have Fun!  I think you already are!
Smiles!  Denise

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi again what you answered helped so very much. It let me know we are thinking like a horse and creating safe areas for the 2 of them.
I got the gelding after he was cut. so I do not know the answer to your first questions about proud cut. I will look into it from past owner.
I am so glad you spoke your mind in lunging as I also have misgivings about the subject of establishing authority vs balance problems while lunging. But I will put them both to work right away. Thanks so much. You have been more helpful then you know Robin

Answer
Hi Robin!

I LOVE your honesty and your willingness to search out answers.  You have some pretty lucky horses.  Always, ALWAYS trust your instincts!  Your gut will never steer you wrong.  We just have to be willing to listen.  Most women are very intuitive and really, you had the answers all along.  You just needed a little support!  

Happy to chat with you!  I'm here when you need me!

Smiles!  Denise