How do you introduce new horses to others?

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kit279

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Just wondering how everyone introduces new horses to others - particularly a new mare to geldings? Do you put them in neighbouring fields first? What do you do if you are a bit limited by having one large field rather than small paddocks?
 
We don't mix mares and geldings but when we introduce a new horse into an established herd, we put them into a neighbouring field, have all back shoes taken off and when they are all calm alongside we put the new one in, possibly with only one horse at first, depending on what we think about the particular horses concerned. We have had to keep horses in neighbouring fields anything from a couple of hours to 3 weeks.
 
We were lucky enough to have two adjoining paddocks. Oldies in the far one and new ones in the other. They could meet over the fence but no kicking or biting. That lasted about half a day, maybe longer if there were any aggressive signs and then, all out together.
 
We fence off an adjoining section and the new one goes in there for a week. We've never had trouble introducing new horses that way.
 
Good advice I had was late in the day... Might be old wives tales but worked with my two and their new field chums back in January. Over a fence & very slowly if possible is by far the better option, but I didn't have any options at the time...
 
I had a new one arrive last week. Put it in a neighbouring paddock and by the second full day it had jumped in with the one I planned to put it in with! Can they meet over stable doors or menage fence first? Then let one or two of the friendliest meet the new one in the menage before letting loose with the whole herd? If you can't do that, then at least it is a big field so that they have plenty of space to run around/away from each other and don't feel threatened. Maybe have some helpers near the corners and gateways to chase them away if they get backed in during the initial introduction. Be prepared for some kicking and squealing.
 
I have just done this this morning with a new mare and my two existing mares (I cant have a gelding with my older mare as too much fireworks). We kept the new one in a small adjoining paddock from yesterday lunchtime and allowed her to join the existing two this morning. None of the mares have shoes on the back. They seem to have settled very well (after an intial 10 minutes of working out each others space and boundaries).
 
I've bad just done this this morning with my horse at a new yard. My horse was had to stay in a few days on arrival whilst being wormed (the others are living out). He went out on a hack with 2 of the geldings last night and all went well. He was due to go in a field with 4 other geldings but we decided to put him in a different one with the leader. They both got put in the field this morning at same time & others will gradually come in over the next few weeks. I stayed back with YO and watched for ten mins and kept head collars on both horses should we need to get one out quickly. All ok so far.
 
Just to be different - the only time I have done the "Let them get to know each other over a fence" approach my mare ended up getting kicked so badly, once she was eventually put into the field, that she had to have stiches and was kept in for a fortnight. All other times when I have just turned out with one other and then gradually added other herd members there have been no issues.
 
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