new 3 year old

Question
i have a 21 year old mare that i've had for 4 years. she is absolutely sweet and the most loveing horse i've ever had. and about 3 days ago i bought a new 3 year old filly/mare. and my older mare hates her and bites her and wont have anything to do with her. so i don't know what to do about that. and i want to start working with her. she nips and pushes into people. and wont lift her feet or anything... so i need to work with her. and on her front left leg is bowed out at the knee so i was wondering if corrective shoeing could fix it??

Answer
Heaven -

Wow, you got a few things going on there.

1.  When two horses are put together for the first time they usually fight.  It is all about them deciding who will be the boss.  Usually it settles out after a few days or weeks.  The only thing you can really do is watch to mae sure the fighting doesn't get too aggressive.  If injury is a possibility, you may be better off seperating them.  But it is absolutely normal for them to fight for the first few days.  Hopefully that will calm down.

2. + 3.  Corrective shoes may help with the leg, but it depends on the severity of the bow.  Odds are shoes will not fix the issue.  If the bow in the leg causes any type of lameness or gait abnormality, training the horse will become an issue.  It is hard to train a horse with bad leg because they tend to get hurt a little easier.

If and when you do start to train her, it sounds like you need to start with some lunging in a round pen or small enclosed area.  Lunging can help set up basic leadership ideas and get the horse focused toward you.  However, I would reccomend getting help from a trainer in your area if you have never done that type of thing before.

Working with the 3 year old AND the 21 year old on a consistant basis may also help limit the amount they fight with each other.

In all it sounds like you have your hands full at the moment.  Personally, I would let the horses be for a few more days to let them get used to each other and calm down.  Then I would work with your new one a little and see what you can do and can't do with her once she is more comfortable in her new home.  And then I would consult your vet about the leg.

Best of Luck!
Michael Hockemeyer
Kicking Bear Mustangs