Introducing new horses into the herd?

[SirenFarms]

i just bought a 6 year old gelding that i want to put out with my other horse who is a recently gelded 3 yr old. my 3 yr old has a record of being aggressive and that is why we gelded him. he is an angel to me and very smart. He hasnt been with other horses since he was a yearling so hes not used to the whol herd thing. My new one has always been the boss and is very docile with people but very bossy with other horses. he can pretty much control a small herd of 3 3 yr old QHs. so im kinda worried that both the horses have the boss dynamic thing goin on and ive never had to intorduce a new horse before. I love them both and they both are my show horses and i really dont want to see one get hurt. any tips on how to handle this?

the 3yr old is 29 inches and the 6 yr old is 33 inches. FYI

 

[SandyWI]

I think your three year old gelding will be thrilled to have a pasture mate, and one of them will soon establish dominance over the other, but I doubt either will seriously hurt the other one.

When I introduce a new horse, I always make sure it has a Coggins and a vet check health certificate to make sure it isn't carrying anything.

Then I put the new horse right on the other side of the fence from the other horse or horses it will be with, and I leave them separated for about a week. That way they get good and used to each other. They can touch noses through the fence and get used to each other's smell.

When it's time to introduce them to the herd, I bring only one horse into the area with the new horse, and let them get to know each other for a few hours. Then I'll bring another one of the horses in so two of my horses will be with the new horse for a few more hours.

On the second day, I let another horse in, wait a few hours, and then keep adding horses. I never let all the old ones in with the new one at the same time, but do it slowly, as I don't want the new one being overwhelmed with all the new horses rushing him at once.

Since you only have one horse for the new one to get accustomed to, just leave them next to each other, either in stalls, a pasture, or in dry lots, for two or three days, or up to a week. I think they will be glad for each other's company when they finally get to run together!

 

[Little Wee Horse Farm]

Please keep in mind that even if there are only two horses, one of them has to be the boss. That's just the way it is, even if WE can't tell which it is. They are herd animals & someone must lead & someone must follow. They're happier that way too. Everyone knows his place.

So, if it seems to you that someone is definitely rising to the top, remember that neither might be giving up the lead willingly, so the bottom guy might just have something to say about it. I've seen a horse stay at the top for years, but in other herds, see periodic jockying for the top spot. :lol:

BTW, we have a special little paddock we call the "howdy pen" where a new horse can go to meet his/her future herd but they cannot hurt each other. Separated by cattle panel, they can touch noses, smell, hear, see each other, but not hurt. Do it slowly -- I'd say at least a week across fence.

 

[SirenFarms]

thanks everyone!