Do mares get on better with other mares...

[ldlp111]

Basically umming and arring about getting another horse (been looking for a nice dun youngster), OH has said i'm not allowed another mare but am wondering whether my two current horses (one mare and one gelding) would get on better with a mare/gelding. My gelding is very laid back so think he would get on with either. My mare on the other hand likes to be bossy although the gelding is in charge, I don't think she'll kick the crap out of another one she's more of a biter and get out my way kind of thing. But just wondered on peoples opinions of whether a mare/gelding will be easier for her to accept. Old companion was a mare but only 11hh high so easy to boss around

 

[kerrieberry2]

my mare gets on with most horses, has been out with lots of different mixes, if shes very dominant then getting another mare might be challenging, if she wants to be the boss as well, where as geldings tend to let the mare be the boss!

having said that my mare and another mare were seen standing back to back kicking each other one day, and not long after the other mare pushed the fence down to get out of the field when I brought he in at night, because they'd become the best of friends!?

 

[SuperH]

My mares get on well together. One is more dominant than the other but occasionally the other one is brave enough to challenge her. I've never kept either with a gelding so no idea what they would think if that. Not quite the same but mine have also been turned out with our milking herd, they are quite happy with the cows, bulls and calves and will graze side by side with them all.

 

[ldlp111]

So pretty much a case of try it and see. She is always funny with horses at shows, will go to say hello but as soon as they look at her she puts her ears back same when horses go past her in warm ups I think she's quite insecure really

 

[Echo Bravo]

Depends, like humans some you do and some you don't, same with horses and other animals

 

[FfionWinnie]

She sounds like she is just crabby/bossy with other horses and it won't make much difference.

 

[*sprinkles*]

They are all individuals. I've known mares that hate everyone, mares that only tolerate other mares and mares that are perfectly happy no matter who shows up! My little mare will happily go out with anyone. She's in a field that tends to get changed around a lot but she's always out with her special buddy, a Shetland gelding. They all seem to get along fine and it's a real mix of types, and numerous mares and geldings.

 

[debsg]

I have three mares. My TB and my PBA will happily share with mares or readings. My cob is very much the lead mare and finds geldings a threat and will kick the crap out of them. She will accept a new mare into her little herd if they are introduced slowly. Her main problem is that she is very protective of the TB, whom she fostered from a 12 week old foal (now 7) and is determined to keep her a virgin for life TB, on the other hand, is a terminal tart and her flirting doesnt help matters!

 

[night_mare]

I think it depends on the horses as all are individual. I have a mare who mixes in groups of mares and geldings without any problems. Whatever you try and mix with your other two, it would be sensible to ensure none have hind shoes on so if there is any kicking you minimise the risk of any serious injury occurring.

 

[Megibo]

Depends on the individual...

My mum had a 15 hand dales X tb mare that was THE boss. That's it, no question about it. Other 'dominant' mares were soon put down a peg. She even challenged my sisters 16.2 mare-hating gelding when they broke in together one day and he is also always the dominant horse in a group.

My own 13.3 welsh mare is quite dominant and will be the boss if she can i.e. if she meets a true alpha mare like my mum's old horse she will be second in line. She's never lower in a herd than second.
A mare I sold a few weeks ago was the complete opposite-dominant above nothing else and on even terms with my mum's yearling! In her new home she is bossed around by two geldings that are about 12.2 maybe a little bigger she's a complete softie and wont challenge anything. (she's a very chunky traditional 14.3 welsh D)