Want to share a pen with a laminitic

[Daffy Dilly]

I want to get Daffy out of his current herd, and there's a mare on her own in a pen, and they get on quite well. She kicks, but gives plenty of warning compared to the one in his current field, and they both like their space. She certainly hasn't gone for him yet, and he knows to keep his distance.

Thing is, she's in a pen because she's on restricted grazing, due to apparently having laminitis in the past. Daffy doesn't need restricted grazing although I wouldn't shove him in ten acres of lush grass. Is there a way we could work it for both of them? He does like his grass, and will be in during the day anyway. :rolleyes:

My alternative will be to put Daffy into his own pen, but there's the cost of leccy fencing and location implications to suss out for one.

[Mehitabel]

how big is the pen? space can be an issue - the kicks i've seen have nearly all happened in a space that is not big enough for threatened horse to get away from an aggressor. if it's a big paddock that's jsut got crappy gras then fine, but not if it's a school-sized pen in a bigger field.

[Daffy Dilly]

It is about 25x30 I think at the moment. What's the minimum you'd suggest? They've been fine in the menage over winter, and thats 20x40.

On the one hand I'm loathe to put him in a white tape pen because he's really scared of the stuff, but I want him away from the two horses in his field; one that kicks him with no warning for no reason (even under saddle) and the other that bullies him badly and crowds me.

[Mehitabel]

if they're used to sharing a small space together then that's different, but i'd be anxious in anything school-sized with our lot. if it were petal and another horse, i'd want about double school sized. she is dominant but not mean, but i would want the submissive one to have enough space to not have ot be constantly on the alert for their space being invaded.

[jovi_y2k2]

you also have to be careful of the grass situation because, grass when stressed is also a trigger for laminitis and could set the other horse off