A little bit much

[Jessey]

I’ve had to put Hank into time out twice this week. He and Niko play really rough but it’s getting too rough and I’m seeing injuries.

This week Hank has a bald patch on one side and chunk out of his thigh on the other and worn away fur on both sides of his neck from Niko scruffing him and his stifles are sore so he’s lame. Niko a slice on his leg and half a dozen new bald patches. And it scares me when they’re rearing and Niko lands on Hank (it’s a pretty regular thing now), there’s going to be a serious injury soon.

Niko plays really gently with Dan and with Hank he’ll eventually stick his head in a corner so he can just swing his butt to defend himself when he’s had enough. But Hank just won’t stop. Even Jess has given up trying to break it up and just ignores it unless it’s in her space.

I had Hank on a calmer for a month because of it which helped a little and recently switched him to chaste berry as he’s normally on that in summer or he’s trying to mount Jess every 5 minutes, but he’s still being a bloody pest. I’m all for play but I think this has stepped into the realms of a who’s the bigger man competition now. Other than separate him, what do I do?

 

[Skib]

This is not the answer you want. Mark Rashid said that humans could not influence what went on in a herd.

 

[carthorse]

Honestly I don't think there's much you can do. And it's almost irrelevant whether it's play or jostling for position if they're ending up injured, though I guess if it's jostling it will settle eventually unlike rough play that will carry on.

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

swear gently, silly boys. Can you split the field so they are all out and can see each other but rotate the boys between solitary. They just don't help at times do they

 

[Jessey]

This is not the answer you want. Mark Rashid said that humans could not influence what went on in a herd.

I don’t believe that at all, there’s lots humans do to influence it in a domestic situation, eg put out too few piles of hay and you’ll cause a fight.

 

[Jessey]

swear gently, silly boys. Can you split the field so they are all out and can see each other but rotate the boys between solitary. They just don't help at times do they

They’re really not helping themselves!
I’m desperate to avoid splitting them, it doesn’t suit my set up and Jess kicks off on any reintroduction.

Honestly I don't think there's much you can do. And it's almost irrelevant whether it's play or jostling for position if they're ending up injured, though I guess if it's jostling it will settle eventually unlike rough play that will carry on.

Its so tough, I’m trying to think outside of the box, something like no bite spray or a muzzle perhaps, Hank is a biter, it always starts with him biting legs. If he doesn’t get the rise, maybe it would stop fuelling the fire to break the cycle.

 

[chunky monkey]

I find the niggles between my two are less when they have exercise and get out more. Its difficult as yours cant be. But id rather the controlled walk out than the scraps.

 

[Jessey]

I find the niggles between my two are less when they have exercise and get out more. Its difficult as yours cant be. But id rather the controlled walk out than the scraps.

Hank was like this with Manny (big tb gelding) when he was being driven quite a bit, though not quite this rough but still the intensity. I will try exercising him though, it certainly can’t hurt!

A bit of background; it is believed Hank spent the first 5 years of his life alone in someone’s small back garden before he was rescued, his social skills are really lacking, he can get really told off and will just pick himself up and go back for more as he doesn’t realise it wasn’t a game it took him years to start to understand Jess wasn’t joking. The lack of movement as a bubba likely contributed to his double duff stifles too.

 

[carthorse]

From experience I've found that using muzzles in that way can mean they turn to kicks and body slams that cause even more damage, and I suspect sprays would do the same plus you'd have to coat the whole horse.

 

[Jessey]

From experience I've found that using muzzles in that way can mean they turn to kicks and body slams that cause even more damage, and I suspect sprays would do the same plus you'd have to coat the whole horse.

Hank can’t kick really because of his stifles, the body slams are already happening he will rear and bite Niko and literally hang from his teeth being dragged at the moment

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

Our two boy donkeys play bloody rough, hanging on by the teeth to an ear.....and neck and rearing, boxing. Murph often grabs Krug by the ear and they run around with Krug's ear being held by Murphy. They bite legs, knock each other over, grab tails and hold on they are really really rough. But funnily enough they never do any damage apart from killing rugs.

 

[Jessey]

Our two boy donkeys play bloody rough, hanging on by the teeth to an ear.....and neck and rearing, boxing. Murph often grabs Krug by the ear and they run around with Krug's ear being held by Murphy. They bite legs, knock each other over, grab tails and hold on they are really really rough. But funnily enough they never do any damage apart from killing rugs.

I was really happy to see them playing until injuries started. I think it’s really good that they express their natural behaviour and have an outlet, I’d just rather it wasn’t a vet bill in the making!

 

[carthorse]

I was really happy to see them playing until injuries started. I think it’s really good that they express their natural behaviour and have an outlet, I’d just rather it wasn’t a vet bill in the making!

I can understand that, and it's not just the vet bill is it, it's the worry that they'll do permanent damage

 

[diplomaticandtactful]

I was really happy to see them playing until injuries started. I think it’s really good that they express their natural behaviour and have an outlet, I’d just rather it wasn’t a vet bill in the making!

exactly my bills were mainly new rugs....i had one killed in the field, broken hock, kicked by his mate

 

[carthorse]

@diplomaticandtactful I've known that happen too, it's hearbreaking.

 

[Trewsers]

I know you probably aren't keen to split them but that's what I would do. Can't see any other way ? At least they'd still be able to see each other? I know it can be a pain keeping them separate because I know that when they don't WANT to be apart they can trash fences and all get in together (this has happened with our gang in the past). Sorry not much help!

 

[Jessey]

I know you probably aren't keen to split them but that's what I would do. Can't see any other way ? At least they'd still be able to see each other? I know it can be a pain keeping them separate because I know that when they don't WANT to be apart they can trash fences and all get in together (this has happened with our gang in the past). Sorry not much help!

I can deal with the fences, it’s my very limited land/space that’s a problem.

 

[Trewsers]

I can deal with the fences, it’s my very limited land/space that’s a problem.

I hope you can work something out - it's so tricky at times isn't it. Not at all straight forward. I used to naively think that you could just chuck 'em all in together. Yeah right.....................

 

[Jessey]

Niko worked out (a while ago) that he can stop Hank’s incessant nipping by grabbing him by the neck, this is how much he does it


I just grabbed pictures this evening to show you all

 

[Frances144]

Spring grass coming in. Mine are ruddy hooligans. It is like a rugby scrum at the moment. We go in to feed those that get fed and come out thanking god we are still alive. We just keep ourselves safe and let them get on with it.