I have a Stallion that has ALWAYS been fine out in the pasture with cows. All of a sudden one day I see him bullying, chasing and (if caught) grabbing them with his mouth on the back of their neck and he will bring them down to the ground. He even gets down on his knees to bring them down. He NEVER did this before and I haven't a clue what caused him to snap. When we finally caught him, he acted as if nothing happened. He was calm cool, and collected. Albeit it took us 2 hours to catch him. Any ideas?
2007-01-22 02:44:40 · 9 answers · asked by famousredhead829 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Is he playfully grabbing them, or actually causing harm/making them bleed?
He could be just playing - horses LOVE to chase cows, and I've been on some cutters that would try to bite them to make them hurry up sometimes.
If he's hurting the cows, I think you should put him in a different pasture. But if he's just playing, let him play.
2007-01-22 02:49:48 · answer #1 · answered by mleeg42 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How old is he? If he is younger (under 6) he could be getting territorial and consider those cows a threat to his territory, or are eating his grass that could tempt potential mates, etc.
Or he could be playing with them, but if he is viscously biting them (drawing blood) or with his ears pinned completely back, that is not playing- that is attacking to kill.
I have read stories/saw video of horses having a taste for meat- chasing down, killing AND eating rabbits- that was pretty gross.
I would separate him from the cows. A lot of stallions get too aggressive with other animals and will attempt to kill. We have only had one stallion that we could keep with geldings- but they were all his offspring and I think he knew that. That same stallion stamped a chicken and kicked our dogs hard a couple times. Otherwise a perfect gentleman by people.
2007-01-22 11:12:59 · answer #2 · answered by D 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Has the cattle ever picked on him? Is he a cutting horse? Is he causing any damage to the cows? Does he appear to be playing with the cows? Do you have any female horses in the pen as well? I do know, sometimes horses and cows just don't get along. It doesn't however, appear to be anything serious because he responded to you just fine. I would suggest separating them.
2007-01-22 15:02:35 · answer #3 · answered by Veneta T 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some horses just don't like cows. Most of your better ranchhorses are in that category. As far as breeding him to "get it out of his system", that's an idiotic statement. It will only make him more aggressive. If he not a papered show animal, then there is no reason not to have him gelded.
2007-01-22 19:37:06 · answer #4 · answered by Sans 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He probably has come to the age where he is becoming very territorial. If he was younger out in the pasture when you had him out there, he probably considered the cows as one of his family, now that he has reached an age they are now intruders in his pasture. Stallions are very territorial of their surrondings. If you are scared he is harming the cattle seperate them. Put him in a pin by himself then he won't harm himself or the cattle.
2007-01-22 10:51:01 · answer #5 · answered by Torey♥ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he is just coming of age. He is just trying to show his dominance. Stallions need to be kept alone or with their own band of mares from about 18 months of age.
2007-01-22 11:00:28 · answer #6 · answered by Horsetrainer89 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Neuter him. Hes a stallion and getting territorial. Or rent him out for hire to breed, so he can get some of that out of his system.
2007-01-22 10:51:48 · answer #7 · answered by JAMI E 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Maybe THEY started it! ;0)
2007-01-22 10:53:10 · answer #8 · answered by ARTmom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Mad cow disease?
2007-01-22 10:48:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋