Rollestone Farm Stud & Livery

I am posting this on behalf of a friend who doesn't have access to the internet.

She has a young stallion (4 yrs ) has had him since weaning and he has always run with his mares and foals and up to this year has not presented any problems.

She has had three foals by this stallion this year and they were turned out in a large field - after foaling heats the stallion was reintroduced to them - he has run with all of them in the past.

On letting him out into the field, he made a beeline for this one particular mare and foal, running past the other two completely ignoring them. The mare not being quite in season stood up to him and the stallion then proceeded to, for want of better words - beat the hell out of her. She fought back, the foal fled to the nearest other mare and foal. The fight continued on the ground and it became quite stressful for everyong, the owner knowing she couldn't get in there and get in between two fighting horses- blood was evident and the mare had been bitten all over her neck and back . The foal was separated from the mare for about 2 hours but eventually found her way back to mum. They then were banished to the far corner of the field by the stallion and he took the other two far away.

This happened about 10 days ago, fortunately the field is very large and since then although not open hositility, the stallion will not tolerate the mare anywhere near the other two and will 'see her off'. She should have had a season, but there is no evidence he is feeling any better disposed of her presence. The owner did contemplate removing the mare and foal, but dreaded having to go through that again so although the peace if very uneasy there is no open hostility other than not letting her anywhere near anyone else.

What is strange is that they have run together in the past and the foal is his, there is no apparent reason for it.

He is totally chilled with all the others mare. The mare in question is neither the dominant or passive mare of the herd and is not contentious in any way shape or form, a very mild mannered girl.

Any ideas why this may have happened. The owner is now very anxious about introducing her other mares just in case he decides to do it again.

Has anyone else had this happen?

I will pass on your comments.

I knew of a stallion not liking grey mares - they had to rug her up and make her 'green', then he covered them. Without the rugs this behaviour that you say happened between your friends mare and stallion would have happened to her too. Basically thats my suggestion - rug her up using another 'in favour' mares rug.
Who knows what goes through their minds, horses who we think we know so well can change, if only they could talk!
Hopefully when the mare feels a bit safer she will come into season, then he 'should' be attracted to her - shouldn't he? Once he has covered the other mares, maybe his attention will change to her - as his last resort? I would have thought that now they have had a 'bust-up' and it has settled a bit I would be very surprised to hear the same thing happening again, so I don't think thats too much to worry about if there is plenty of space as you say.
At 4 years old a stallion in the wild is a threat to a herd, as he is becoming 'the man!' Usually they have another colt or stallion to fight with, so I guess he is just missing another man to play matcho with??
Who knows......
But I hope your friend can find some answers, and the horses sort themselves out. Best of luck.