They'll have only been together a week this coming Wednesday, I do understand their figuring out who's who in getting along.
In the pasture the past few days, they've really begun to settle in nicely, grazing head to head, butt to butt, side by side. One naps while the other stands nearby, even in their shared stall they often choose to share the same feed bowl and pile of hay. I see them calmly walking together here and there. Sometimes running in sync.
Yesterday after grooming them, was the first time they didn't fight when I was nearby. Though they wanted to during the grooming, with one tied they couldn't. Today they're back at it. It appears that Merlin the eldest and newest feels Pippin needs to stay away from me. Ear pinning, teeth bared, chasing, rearing, even dropping to his knees going at Pippins legs! Pippin gets his licks in as well, backing into Merlin, biting, chasing...oddly though both position to double barrel, they merely hop their bums in the air with their hooves not connecting. Merlin seems much more determined to have me to himself.
Both had come from places where they were the only Mini there. I know Pippin had been chased by the full sized horse geldings and ended up chasing them instead. Merlin had been put in with new boarders though, because he got on so well with others. Pippin, while taken care of, most likely didn't receive and abundant amount of human attention, while Merlin was the reverse.
Poor Pippin is becoming afraid to approach me, though he so wants to. I'm thinking of carrying a crop along, I can ward off one, while loving on the other?
Please, I know most of you have multiples at home. What are your experiences? Is this normal in the beginning? Is there anything I can or should do? Don't be shy, I need comments on this.
The crop is a good idea. I'm thinking maybe you need to step in as the one who decides which horse gets your attention. I often have to chase off other horses when I'm grooming one. They all horn in, because they want to be groomed first. I think it started out with me having to lock up the others away from the horse I was grooming, then as they got to know my body language and a few words I was able to just herd them away and shoot them looks to keep them away. Now I just say, "I'm working with a horse here," and they know that means to stand back and wait their turn. It takes time.
ReplyDeleteI just ordered a crop with a strap so I can keep it on my wrist. I honestly thought of Rock & Bombay as I wrote my post! Hopefully, they'll get bored of being chased off. This multiple horses here is new to me. Thanx for the input.
DeleteHow wonderful to have two horses that love your company so much! I like what NM said,"not your turn!" My first thought was that you should not have food/snacks be an additional factor for them fighting over you, that's the only time mine get bickery with each other - daily vitamin time, or clicker training time. But I assume you are talking about your presence alone that they compete for. Wow, I'd be thrilled: )
ReplyDeleteAhhhhing, you know me lol. I've decided no click training till I have their personalities sorted out. Lincoln hasn't even noticed the absence of carrots thankfully! I've also been putting down their feed prior to their coming in for the night. I've ordered two extra feed bowls to do the same in the morning. Hoping to disassociate myself from meaning food? Does this make sense?
DeleteIt is nice having them want to be near. The vying for attention with their size isn't really problematic for me. With Lincoln added to the mix though? So nipping it in the bud is a necessity.
When Carmen and Irish bicker over me I clap my hands and growl at them. That gets the behaviour to stop and I carry on. I do that because they are big and I don't want to get hurt!
ReplyDeleteLol, I've growled too, even hissed a few times. That's when I don't need one to stay put though.
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