Indroducing a yearling into a group?

[shadowboy]

I have beasties at home. I have a new ponio arriving soon, and mum decided she was going to buy herself one as mine wasnt um 'driving stock' so she bought a sec D yearling. Never owned such a young pony before (had 2 year olds though) how do we introduce her to the herd- im scared as shes so small- I'll want to wrap her in bubble wrap first. All advice very much welcomed!

 

[Daisychain]

Oh definately very carefully, as she will be very nervous! I should take the horse which is lowest in the pecking order and introduce that one first, and let them sniff over the fence for a few days!

 

[arwenplusone]

Do your horses wear shoes?

I would select a fairly amiable horse (or two - pref. without shoes and pop her in with them, next to the herd, for a few days) Then if all goes ok & once the newbie is settled in, I would introduce to rest of herd.

 

[shadowboy]

ok- that might be difficult as one field is being rested/one has mares in and the other geldings- or did you mean just for a sniff as I can do that! Also- she will have had an 8 hour journey would you turn her out staight away or bring the quieter one in and stable next to her first for a night?

 

[shadowboy]

horses only have front shoes as we dont really have much roadwork here so none are shod behind. Im only sooo concerned as she is soooo young and I dont know how the others will take to her.

 

[Archie07]

I planned to introduce my 8 month old to his new herd of 3 mares very slowly and fenced off an area next to them so he could see/ touch/ get to know them at his own pace. He had other idea's though bless him

and popped himself over the rather large fence 3 times into their field within 1 day of being there

! In the end I left him in with them and just kept a very close eye but they all seemed happy enough and all the mares feel in love with him

! Not the ideal situation though! Just take it gradually with her, maybe if there is a quiet one allow her to pair up with them first alone and then introduce them both back into the herd together after a few days

 

[bellaboo]

When i brought my 8 month old home she went in with my shetland pony to start with in there own field, then i made an electric fencing paddock for my filly and shettie in the field with my other mare and friends gelding and they stayed like this for quite a few weeks, eventually when they all went in together everything was fine, i'm abit like you though wanted to wrap her in cotton wool, that's why we took so long for them all to go in together

 

[Coffee_Bean]

At our yard newbies are introduced into the herds by introducing newbie to a placid horse in one field, then introduce a new member every 2 days or so, then put last 2 in together.