Horses fighting (don't know where else to put this) UPDATE

[WildLittleWren]

I recently adopted a second BLM mustang. She was to be a pasture buddy for my current mustang as well as another project for me (I enjoy challenges!). Anyways, the first week I kept them in adjoining pastures and fed them on both sides of the fence. Everything seemed to be going well so I turned them out together the other day. They went into a full fledged kicking backing up squealing fight which ended with neither of them backing down and both of them sitting on each other. I immediately separated them and went back to the separate pastures.

Two days ago they were whinnying to each other when one went out of sight of the other so I tried again. They seemed to get along great. I am still pulling them out separately to eat twice a day. Tonight I got a frantic call from the BO saying that the horses were killing each other and one had the other down and she couldn’t separate them by yelling or cracking a whip, and she didn’t want to go in the pasture, rightfully so! I rushed to the barn with my heart in my throat and found them still fighting. Wren had gotten the new mustang down in the field, had her by the spine and was thumping her with her front hooves violently and they both were screaming. I was able to get Wren off of Val, but then they immediately went back at each other. I finally was able to safely remove Val and put her in the barnyard and separate them.

My BO is now traumatized. She doesn’t want them pastured together again (neither do I!) But she also doesn’t want either on pastured with any of the other boarders horses, again, rightfully so. So now I don’t know what to do. I have never experienced such violent fighting. The BO said they were just standing at the water trough when this fight erupted out of nowhere. Any suggestions?

[warriorhorse]

Your going to have to keep them separate, fighting you describe is pretty bad. Maybe in time they will get along.

Putting new horse’s together doesn’t always work. I recently bought a quarter horse stud. Two day separated. From my gelding. They are together now minimal fighting.

[Scribbler]

Horses fight worse when they are trapped and one can’t run the other off, for Instance against a paddock fence. I have no idea how big your pasture is but it is surely smaller than the open range these two were both born on. That is crazy severe serious fighting you describe. I agree, I would not want my horse in with either of them!

[Texarkana]

Yeesh, that is some wicked fighting. I’d be traumatized, too!

But to Scribbler’s point, horses fight when they deem there is competition for basic resources: food, water, shelter, space, companionship, matings… And it’s never “one size fits all” with what is enough to prevent competition. If you can give them more room and less opportunity for compete for the same resources, they may sort things out (if you are ever brave enough to try again). Sometimes you have a personality conflict that can’t be resolved, but at the end of the day, horses are social animals who want to live with friends.

[WildLittleWren]

They are currently on 5 acres with pretty lush grass. I am heartbroken but I think I am going to have to find a home for the new mustang I just don’t see any other options

[halt]

@Texarkana

Yeesh, that is some wicked fighting. I’d be traumatized, too!

But to Scribbler’s point, horses fight when they deem there is competition for basic resources: food, water, shelter, space, companionship, matings… And it’s never “one size fits all” with what is enough to prevent competition. If you can give them more room and less opportunity for compete for the same resources, they may sort things out (if you are ever brave enough to try again). Sometimes you have a personality conflict that can’t be resolved, but at the end of the day, horses are social animals who want to live with friends.

I agree with above and Scribbler’s – but I have to say - WOW! That is some pretty intense fighting especially between mares. I haven’t witnessed something like that yet and hope I never have to. Is your mare ok?

In my experience I will say most horses will fight when there is very limited resources - some horses consider the gate a resource, or the water trough. It sounds like you did everything right, but they don’t get along.

Have you ever turned Wren out with another horse?

I would think that the new mustang must be used to a pretty congested herd turnout - the holding pens they keep them in are pretty stock full of horses most times. I understand your BO’s concern. Are either of the mares in season? Near any geldings?

Before giving up, I might try housing them next to each other for a while longer, and then try again like Texarkana said – provided that Val wasn’t too hurt by Wren last time. At the end of the day most horses do want a herdmate so maybe they just need some time.

Over a decade ago we introduced my new very young TB (off track 2.5 y/o) to our resident QH (who we had had for six or seven years). We thought it would be a good fit because the QH was a fairly mellow herd-mate. A little proprietary about food but not an aggressive bully. TB had been in quarantine and then after quarantine was over, we housed them in separate adjoining paddocks for a few days. They seemed fine; QH would give the grump-face and TB would start frantically chewing and going to the other side of the wall. Seemed like the hierarchy was pretty worked out. After about a week of this, they were chill and hung out next to each other on the fence line, so we put them together in the big grass paddock. We turned the TB out first, who was happy to graze in the middle of the field, and then we went to get the QH and put him in with him.

QH, as soon as he was unclipped from the lead, spun around and galloped down this TB and actually pile-drived him in the shoulder with both front hooves. The TB went down, and we went running in getting the QH off of him. It was unreal how fast and how mean it seemed. We honestly thought the TB needed to be put down or had a broken shoulder, he was so hurt and sore – thankfully, the vet confirmed he hadn’t broken anything…

We didn’t try them out again for a while, I’d say a couple of months… and it was like that had never happened. I don’t know what happened or went through the QH’s mind that day to make him act so wildly out of character… but we tried again after a while, we put the TB with another TB friend first - they got along very well and we later introduced the QH and things were fine and the two never had a problem. So sometimes, it just takes time. I wouldn’t worry yet - see if you can house them alongside each other for a little longer.

[Scribbler]

Also think about the layout of the pasture, trough, gate, etc. If the pasture is big but they get into a corner to drink, and can’t escape from each other easily, that could make them feel trapped.

[Posting_Trot]

I’d keep them separate, probably for good. A five acre pasture is pretty big, and it sounds as though the one horse was pretty seriously trying to kill the other. If a horse really wants to do serious harm to another horse they’ll find a way to do it.

[kiwichick]

Wonder if the new one hasnt got some serious mare hormonal issue. Ive seen horses hate each other and fight, but generally once the pecking order is sorted they just stay away from each other, never seen another get one down and try and pummel it to death.
I wouldnt be happy owning those 2 horses, as they will always be in proximity to each other. Id be pretty concerned about the killer ones behaviour though!

[CHT]

My gelding, who is retired with a broken neck, tried to kill two horses on separate occasions. They were in a big space, with no obvious competition for resources. In both cases the horse was trying its best to get the heck away, but my horse would not let up. Not sure what provoked the first attack, but In the second instance, I think the horse was just annoying him by calling to his friend who was in the barn. Now he lives alone. I think some horses just have a screw loose…in my horse’s case, it could be related to his neck injury, as he used to be quite a social horse.

in your horses’ cases though, they just might be two dominant type horses who won’t back down from a challenge. Sad to think they might have to live out their days alone, but likely safer for all concerned.

[Melissa.Van_Doren]

Since that type of fighting behavior is much more male-oriented than female, I also think there could be some wonky hormones at work. Long ago I rode a lovely mare who was extremely dominant and “studdish”. She would even mount other mares and geldings. If Regumate had been around then, I’m sure she would have been on it. In any case, I agree with keeping your two girls completely separated. Sorry you’re having to deal with this.

[WildLittleWren]

Update: Happy ending. While I was sad to do it, after speaking with my horse friends I found a woman who was looking for a mustang with some size to train for a trail horse. She got approved by the BLM and picked Val up last night. She will be the only horse on 6 acres.

Wren HAS been pastured with numerous other horses in the year I have had her and NEVER had an issue. That is partly why I was so shocked!

[Libby2563]

I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Val but I’m glad you resolved it. That sounds really frightening!