Herd Bullies: Am I over reacting?

After three months.... I would definitely move out of there. They really should separate the aggressive horse/horses, but rather than even ask them to do that, I would move as soon as I could. I used to board, one place in particular had too many aggressive horses in one certain pasture, my mare was quiet and docile, kept to herself yet she kept getting picked on and one day she was run right thru the fence and hit a post and needed several stitches. I wouldn't even give it three days now, and three months is more than enough time. Time to move.

As it is your horse is on the bottom of the totem pole, and I say she is going to stay there. Some horse's will stand up for themselves, others won't. Like your mare, my gelding is attacked and bullies by everything else with 4 legs and a tail - even kid's ponies bully him!

For the sake of €50, you'll get a heated indoor - if you feel you can afford it, go for it. I'd be loading my horse into the horsebox and be gone. If she's a timid horse, she'll keep getting bullied. I say being an individual pen or field with other timid horses may suit her better as obviously somebody in her current herd is quite the bully and there is a very obvious personality clash.

That was my feeling too... I was just really hoping the big injuries would stop once the other horses figured out she wasn't going to attempt to take the alpha position away. Live and learn, eh?

I'm checking out this new barn on Saturday and if it looks as good as it sounds, I'm going to move my mare as soon as I can. The barn owner invited me to come by when morning lessons are happening, so I could see the level of activity, meet some other boarders and talk to the instructors. Then she'll give me a grand tour and we'll discuss. If everything works out, I'll move my mare that weekend if the new barn owner is available (she offered to haul my horse). I've paid my board until February 15 at the current place and I don't recall a month's notice clause in the boarding agreement -- do I still have to give notice and pay for the month I won't be there as a courtesy?

It's a personal choice. Personally I'd give him notice as soon as you decide. Explain to him your reason for leaving, leave it on good terms and ask if he wants further payment or if he is happy to leave it . If you do it in a straight talking but friendly manner you have a good chance he'll say no. That's my personal opinion but others may disagree.

That sounds good to me. My plan was to check the new barn out in the morning on Saturday and then go to see my horse right after. I don't know if the barn owner will be on site when I get there, but if I don't see him, I'll give him a call.

I think he was expecting me to move my horse eventually, as I only moved my horse to that barn for the winter. She was taking the winter off to 'recuperate' from being a broodmare and I explained that I would be moving to a more English oriented facility when spring rolled around so I could begin her under-saddle training. The fact that she's getting beat up just expedited the process, since it's not quite spring yet. He's a nice guy and I really hope he doesn't take it the wrong way.

I would move. Three months is a LONG time it seems to have it still be that intense. My horse went through it for a few days and now it is just some glares and getting chased off a hay pile. My BO also seperates out horses that are too aggressive. I think for your own peace of mind and the safety of your horse you should move. You will not feel comfortable leaving her until you know she is in a safer place. I am sure the BO will understand since they cannot make other accomodations for her.

You don't say how large the pasture is but if lots of horses and not much room to get away it causes more problems with horses not getting along.

The pasture is very large... I'm not sure of exact dimensions, but I think I heard him say it was something like 40 or 50 acres. It's definitely not a small area. I think there are about 12 or 13 horses in it, including my horse.

MOVE!! Maybe think about moving all of your horses there so you won't have to deal with different barns..

Definitely move. Poor baby. When you do move her, let the new BO know that she is low on the totem pole. Hopefully this will be taken into consideration if multiple pens are open. A really good BO will keep horses separated accordingly and even move horses around to work her in to a comfortable herd. Hopefully the next barn will suit her better.