Introducing a mare to two geldings best approach

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MissyMew

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Hi

I have just bought a 2 yr old mare, arriving Monday. Obviously she will be kept away from the pony and horse initially. After a week or so, if they don't manage to get in together on their own, what's the best way to introduce her and turn them out together?

I am being told lots of horror stories by well meaning friends of mixed hurds and disasters!!

Many moons ago, 1st time round with horses, I don't remember it being such an issue.
 
I put the new horse either in the middle stable with others either side, upper bars so they can see and smell each other, or I have the option of closing off the big field, leaving about an acre and letting them meet over the fence.
I have a mare and two geldings
 
Thank-you that's useful. I have three stables two of which are attached and have a grill internally, if u know what I mean. These are the two stables I use for the boys. Was planning on using the third stable separated by tack room for the mare.
Might have a re-think, but don't want to upset the pony as its his stable that would change. It's also taken him a while to accept that that's his stable. He's been with me the longest , so has seen the most changes.
 
I've always brought mine in and popped them in stables next to the others in yard (usually next to field boss mare with talk grill between). Then the next day put them in a largish restricted area in field, wait till they have settled and grazing and then quietly open entrance between restricted and main field. I've found that way they still tend to have a bit of a play round but not as bad as chucking them in together straight off but equally as field is big new one often gets a bit stressed if left in restricted and others disappear off up hill, hence why I don't leave them in restricted longer normally. I keep mine as a mixed herd (which one of my mares is boss of). I would take temperament into account and take note if there was any negative behaviour displayed in the yard, or if one of the current horses was particularly dominant in the field/ known to kick etc which might make me rethink turning them out together so soon. So I think it comes down to a bit of a judgement call unfortunately but hope that helps a bit :)!
 
PS I also did this when I bought a 2yo filly. She settled into the herd really smoothly though boss mare did mother her for the first few days- week and move the boys on every time they tried to say hello to her during that time. After that she let the boys near but grazed close for another few days or so and then all settled and spread out across field :). But again it is very temperament dependent! Little mare is field boss but never nasty with it.
 
As others have said - keep them semi-separated for a week so that they can see, smell and hear each other (either next door stables or next door fields with a gap between). Then when they seem relaxed let them in the field together. Often I split the field up with electric fencing, so that they can be next to each other in the field that they will eventually share, but I do two lines of electric with a 2m gap between, just in case they get a bit fiery. But I will stable them next to each other for a couple of days before I do this. Good luck :)
 
Thank-you all, good advice.

She's arriving today, just waiting for the call to say all loaded up, so nervous i really hope she has a good journey.

Now do I leave her a head collar on in the field so I have half a chance of catching her?

So much to think about..
 
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