The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Turning out older gelding with 6 mo. olds?

2K views 7 replies 8 participants last post by  faye 
#1 ·
I posted this in stabling also. But thought I would get good opinions here. The barn where I currently board is now for sale. I am bummed as I love it and it's 5 mins. from my home...wonderful care.

I found a potential place with everything - and a bit more, than I currently have. Lovely care (friend of a friend, comes highly recommended and we met and clicked). Lovely property and barn. Big ring on property (don't have that now...I have to trailer out and when time is an issue, it is limiting my training vs. being able to hop on and train a bit, then ride out) and extensive rideout and trails immediately behind farm. (have some now, but not this nice or to this extent). Also 5 mins. from my home. The ONLY hesitance I have is....

My older gelding would be turned out with 2 babies to start (5 & 6 mo. old colt and filly). Colt will be gelded. I met the babies - they are darling and quiet. One is a bit tentative, the other more curious. They are being handled, haltered, etc. with plans to be trained. Owner is also getting an adult horse of her own to ride soon, so my guy would eventually be out with the 2 babies and another adult.

My gelding is currently out with 2 older geldings. He is low man on totem pole but will pin his ears to make a point. He has NEVER ever had issues with field mates. He does seem happier with small herd (vs. large which is where he was before I got him). He is so relaxed now and settled at his current barn, I worry about suddenly putting him at new barn with 2 babies. Most I have talked to laugh because they know his personality. He is very "been there, done that". NO spook, rides out alone...stoic. He is 20 but still has get up and go. I ride 3-4 times a week. He is arthritic and perhaps being with the young ones would help keep him moving more. I have no worries that he will be fine toward them, but I worry about him not adjusting or feeling stress (again, me probably being paranoid!)

Any warnings? Encouragements? Success stories? Otherwise, this place is fabulous....great grass, pastures, scenic.........I can really see us there...and better facilities for me :) Thanks!
 
See less See more
#3 ·
I think your gelding will love it. Most horses love babies! Not to mention he is the low man...the babies will probably learn a lot from him. Sometimes it takes a good older horse to show those babies how to really be horses. I think he will like it! Good luck!
 
#4 ·
My big boy is 9 and out in a field with 3 other geldings....There was a recent new addition to the field a 7mth old colt...We were all worried for the little one but we need not have been as they all adore him and seem to take turns in watching over him when he lays down to nap etc...Its like they have babysitting rotas...one of the boys is always close to him sometimes all of them lay down with the baby in the middle of them all...Its so cute...
Youngsters greet older horses with a mouthing or chomping (mouths open and close) its their way of letting the other horses know that they are babies and it helps them avoid getting hurt...
I wouldnt worry to much, you would be suprised what a grouchy horse will allow a baby to get away with...lol...x
 
#5 ·
My mare had a foal in July, so baby is 3 months old. I have started putting him in with my 17 yr old gelding when I ride the mare. They get along fabulous! Actually, I can't believe how well they "play" together. The foal with run around, rear, nip his legs and everything, and coerce the gelding to chase him and play. It's really adorable. :)

I can't promise how your gelding will get along with them, of course, but I just wanted to say that I had good luck with my older gelding and foal being left alone together.
 
#6 ·
I don't think there will be much issue at all. There will likely be at least a low level of stress just from being moved but that would happen no matter where you went. I am sure that he'll get along wonderfully with the babies and will both play with them and teach them a thing or 2 :wink:. It sounds like a wonderful place and I hope you are able to get in there.
 
#7 ·
I don't think there will be any issues. However I'd watch for youngsters to bother him. I had an experience when I thrown my yearling with several horses including older horse (lowest in pecking order). Unfortunately she realized he's low, and she went after him like crazy attacking and biting on every day basis. For no reason AT ALL - just out of blue. I tried to chase her away and all, but didn't help much. Eventually owner had to move him in a different field. I honestly don't think it'll be the case here (especially since they are just babies), but something to watch.
 
#8 ·
Its supriseing just how horses react to baby ponies.

Stan my connemara was a great big bruiser of a horse, who was extremely dominant regularly had fights with one of my other geldings and still thought he was entire (even attempted to cover mares). We struggled to put even older ponies out with him because he would beat them up.
He was in a paddock separated from a 9 month old welsh section A colt by electric fencing, stan was out with 3 other geldings that he tolerated, the colt was separated because we thought stan would kill him if stan tried to beat him up. Colt jumped the fencing and ended up with stan.
WE all paniced when we saw him jump the fence, stan trotted up all "I'm a big stallion and i'm going to put you in your place" the little colt made some I give in motions and stan seemed to decide that the little colt needed looking after and they became nearly inseperable, stan even protected the colt from the others in the field and they were often found grazing 6" appart or nose to nose
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top