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Horse Behavior and Training

Aggressive Pony

By:

EquiAbi (UK)

Date:

2012-Jan-23 at 06:10PM

Hi all,
I saw quite recently a shetland pony who was being kicked and bitten by a much larger pony. The larger pony was chasing the little shetland (who is 15years old) and the shetland kept trying to defend herself by kicking up her heels and bucking and running as fast as she could. The larger pony kept on galloping up behind her and wouldnt leave her alone. When I saw this I ran as close as i could get on the other side of the fence to try and seperate them. They were still about 20-30 meters away and the shetland was on the floor being kicked and bitten by the larger pony. She was screaming and couldnt get up because of the kicking and biteing it was recieving. I tried to distract the larger pony but she wouldnt leave the shetland alone.There was another horse in the feild who was much bigger than the pony who was being violent toward the little shetland and she protected the shetland so that it could get up and run but being in a feild she couldnt get away.
Eventually I put the shetland and her friend into a seperate field away from the mean pony. (the owner was away)
Why was the pony being so horrible to the little shetland?
and what would anyone else would have done?
Equi

phantommustang1 Walsenburg, Colorado, USA 2012-Jan-23 at 06:49PM

Was the bigger pony younger? Sometimes it seems younger horses, especially ponies, get rather aggressive toward old ones. Other times, its the opposite, they get more protective. I really dont know, but as far as I could tell, you did the only thing you could have done, I would have done the same. If they cant get along, separate them, just like kids.

sandie 2012-Jan-23 at 08:39PM

I think you did the only thing that was possible to do at that time. Its lucky for the little shetland that you were there. We find that there is times when the horses just take an immediate dislike to one another,and have to be kept apart no matter what we try, if the owner is approachable ask if they were introduced properly or just thrown in together. Is the pony or shetland gelded, or was the other horse in season. And yes even in January, my mare has just come into season. Well done for acting, some would have left them to get on with it.

EquiAbi (UK) 2012-Jan-24 at 05:32PM

Yes the shetland was older than the pony that attacked it:)
I'm not sure if the pony attacking the shetland was in season how would you tell?
Equi

sandie 2012-Jan-24 at 09:36PM

Umm, it is difficult to tell from a distance if the pony was in season, usually you get winking and tail lifting, especially when they pass urine. If you knew the pony well, which I guess you probably dont, if it is not yours, you would be able to tell from her manner. My mare gets very cuddly, and follows me around.
But I know its hard if the horses are not yours to be able to get close, with or without the owners permission, and I wouldnt want you getting too close to a pony that seems to have issues.
Have you been to see them today and were they still seperated, talking to my friends today they agree that it could just be like us, that not all horses get on with each other.
I am no expert, and I only make suggestions to you, I am sure that the other people on the uni will be able to give you some advice.
I am just glad you were there to help the little guy out.
Sandie