This time of year the environmental light is changing and your horses, through their retinas, will be stimulated. The increase in light will trigger the release of hormones and they will begin to transition into a reproductive mode. Needless to say fillies, mares and stallions are stimulated but geldings are also affected as they sense the shift in mare's behavior and their display of sexual interest and agitation. This shift can disturb herd dynamics and cause many problems that may not have been evident all winter.

I strongly advise geldings to be separated from females in turn out situations, however, some people do turn them out together. This time of year is particularly volatile and geldings can get seriously injured as they become territorial, possessive and aggressive around mares in heat. 

Please consider separating out your males and females at least during the next 6 months to prevent stress, injuries and possible catastrophes.  Your management program can turn a potentially dark and dangerous situation into a light, healthy and safe environment.

I hope you will follow from newsletter to newsletter insights, observations, questions and solutions to numerous inquiries around horses and the world they live in. The resources, web links, experts, books and articles listed here will give you lots of options to pursue.

The Women & Horses newsletter stands for all horse and pony breeds, as well as donkeys and mules, all disciplines and uses of the horse and wild horses

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Past newsletters have been archived on the web site for you to check out anytime and I'm always open to receiving your inquires via email.

Sincerely,

Mary D. Midkiff

Equestrian Resources

www.womenandhorses.com 

Correct and Let Go 

Can you imagine horse herd road rage? A horse in a wild herd holding on to their anger over another horse getting in his way? Pouting in a corner, giving the lead mare the finger everytime she walks by, refusing to run with the herd until the culprit apologizes?  I don't think so.  Humans hold on to emotions, animals move on, they have to to survive.  The herd needs their participation, every horse has a role, and there is no time or place for grudges, revenge, paybacks or pouting.

When you feel you must correct your horse do so right away, quickly, with no violence from you just a quick correction such as a smack with your hand or a quick pop with the end of a lead rope on the shoulder or rump (never around the head) where the lead mare might bite them. Next, and this is key, let it go and move right on with what you were doing. Tell them why you corrected them and bring your blood pressure down.  I might say, "kicking out at me is unacceptable" in a strong tone. After your correction, shift yourself, with intention, into a very calm state and send that message to the horse.

No matter how they react, you move right on to the next state of emotion be it calming, relaxing, releasing, joyful or peaceful.  The horse will quickly learn to accept your corrections and not be offended and respect your teaching and leadership role.

This is how the lead mare would handle disobedience, you can do the same.