How bad are mares and geldings together in small herd?

[twiggy2]

Good suggestion re thinking about worst case, there is space to have separate fields BUT the big horse has nil respect for fencing so hops around wherever he feels like it !! so if he wanted in with her he would get in with her - also if I had to separate she'd be on her own (not something I like) so knowing my luck I'd have to get another mare to keep her company. Having cut down from 5 to 2 I don't want to be back up to 4!

if you have cut down from 5-2doyou really want another one that may create an issue? do you need another one and have time for it?

saying that my mare goes out with anything, she had a shock at 3 when she got chucked out in a mixed herd (been on her own mostly till then or only with one other), she had a few lumps and bumps from the lead mare. since then she is in the field that fluctuates the most andshe gets on with them all. currently she is outwith 2 late cut gelding who has a bit of a scrap about her the first few days but she just ignored them and they have settled now

 

[Wagtail]

I have never had a problem. I have known the odd riggy gelding that can get really bad when a mare is added to the mix, but personally, have always kept them together and not had a problem. I have had one mare and two geldings together, and also two mares and one gelding. All very peaceful. However, my sister had an established herd of three geldings and all hell broke loose when she let her friend livery there with her mare. Two of the geldings started fighting.

On balance though, I would go for it, but only if you have the facilities to separate them if need be.