Horse lacking social skills in field

[Sooph]

Hi,

I've just bought a new horse and he has slowly been introduced to other horses on the yard. He was out in the field next to two of the geldings for two weeks, then electric tape between fields removed and horses allowed to mix gradually. He has kicked one of the horses a few times and they have now been seperated to prevent further injury.

Horse then turned out with two other geldings, went up to one of them said hello and then turned round and kicked him.

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas on how to integrate him with other horses without causing anymore damage. Dealer I bought him off said he is usually boss of the field but never kicked anyone. He is a rising 5 cob gelding, good with people, but unfortunately I can't work him at the moment due to cough (vet confirmed not infectious prior to introduction to other horses).

Thanks

 

[LaurenM]

I just stuck mine in the field after he'd spent a few days in settling in, as did the rest of the people on my yard.

They need to establish the heirarchy and after 30 mins or so will settle down again. It's not nice to watch but it's natural.

 

[Sooph]

They had been out in field all toghether for just over a week, but one of the horses has been coming back with a new bite or kick every day. Was hoping it would all settle down, but understandably owner of this horse didn't want mine out with him

 

[flying solo]

I bought my 'new boy' about two months ago, kept him stabled for 24hours then put him out with the friendly bunch..... He got the poo kicked out of him, I couldn't even get in to the field to get him out! He is a quiet pony who wouldn't kick back or bite and kept trotting in circles to get away, he had no idea what was happening to him. After going in to 3 different fields in 4 weeks and a vet bill of £400 He is back where he started out and gets on great with them all now! Good luck, if there is a horse that doesn't mind being at the bottom of the pecking order then they will get on as he shouldn't feel the need to prove himself

 

[Louby]

Ive had the opposite problem. Bought my horse as a 4 yr old who just wanted to play and annoyed the hell out of the other horses and was injured daily. I watched him walk up behind, bite them and just stand there whilst they booted him. Luckily managed to move him to a private yard with 3 other geldings. His mate was like minded and they got on great although my rugs were always in shreds, chunks of hair always missing from bites and it was scary to watch how rough they were. One day the play fighting had gone too far and my horse had fractured his front leg. He had to spend some time alone as he recovered and for the last 4 yrs has been in the same field but seperated by electric fencing. I feel rotten about this and do worry if the time ever comes that we have to move as he would have to go in with others again. He has no social skills at all apart from, hello Im here and just barges in there. He doesnt kick just wants to play.