Dealing with resource guarding

[KarinUS]

I have a fantastic bond with my mare. Especially after her pasture mate passed away she loves to stand near me or have her head over my shoulder and rest it on me.
She's so sweet and gentle for our bonding time.
But I also tried to get a second horse as fast as possible so she wouldn't be lonely.
We've had the horse for around 10 now.
Initially she was thrilled to have a new pasture buddy.
I expected her to resource guard food and I make up for it by having multiple hay sources, feed each of them in their stall etc.
Unfortunately she's also resource guarding me.
The new horse can't come up to me without her driving him away.
It's this just temporary? Am I supposed to interfere with this?

 

[SpooksHavinFun]

It'll only escalate if you don't nip it now.

 

[Jessey]

That’s probably quite natural, she hasn’t decided to let him into your herd of 2 yet, it’s early days after all.

I wouldn’t reprimand for it, other than a growl if they’re doing it in your space. I’d perhaps spend time just being with them to let her work it out, and lead them around together as they’ll both know to behave while being led and it’ll give them some time without things escalating to realise the other is no threat in your presence. But chances are she’ll settle down soon anyway.

 

[Jane&Ziggy]

The trouble is that by resource guarding you she is preventing you from building the confidence of your new horse and forming a bond with him. I don't think you should let her make a habit of it.

How you prevent it is another matter. Sid will prevent Sonne from coming to me (not because he loves me, but because I often have food about my person). However, he is a sagacious dude and if I reprimand him or tap him on the nose he will settle down and grumpily allow me to pet Sonne or give her a treat. It helps that she is way bigger and stronger than him!

Others may have better ideas, but I would avoid for now situations where Minnie will lunge at Smokey and you have no way to prevent it. Apart from anything else, you could get caught in the crossfire. So for example (and I am really just making this up on the fly) call Minnie to you first, so she is doing the right thing, then fuss her, halter her and tie her up with a haynet, then call Smokey to you. Let her see you handling and fussing him, then return to her. Or put her away entirely while you handle him - I've had to shut Sid in the shelter before now when I had to do Sonne's feet, for example.

Cross posted with Jessey, and I like her plan and idea of leading them around together. Sid always behaves perfectly when being led, even if Sonne is annoying him (she behaves like his little sister).

 

[carthorse]

I wonder if she's still more unsettled than she lets on and is seeing you as her constant and a source of comfort? If that's the case it will probably settle with time anyway.

I have a similar problem with Luka if other horses are around. It's improved as his social skills and confidence have grown but it's still there and shows more with a particular horse. A sharp verbal correction will help, but if I'm honest I find the best bet is not to put myself in a position where he thinks I need protecting and to always be aware of what's going on around me - I had a bit of a wake up call on that the other day.

If I had another, or indeed when I do Luka's fieldmate. I make sure he's in and done first like @Jane&Ziggy suggests.

 

[KarinUS]

The leading together was a great idea. I didn't want to chance failure so I had my daughter lead the new horse and I was leading Minnie.
We took them to the arena which currently has a round pen in the center.
I worked with Smokey the new horse in the round pen first. Minnie does at the side looking in but not making any trouble.
And then I swapped them and worked with Minnie. And going back everything was peaceful and everybody seemed content.
Will repeat this since I need to get both horses into the swing of things anyway