Introducing a weanling to my other horses

[zoon]

My colt is coming from his breeder next week. I have always had youngsters a bit older or had 2 at a time. This time, he will be living with my 15 year old and a 2 year old.

The field they will be in is 3 acres and I was hoping to divide it in 2 before he arrives (with permanent fencing - not electric), but may not get a chance. Would I be totally crazy to just let him in with my 2 and see what happens? My 15 year old is obviously the more dominant of the existing 2, but he is a softy and is always the one I can rely on to be turned out with anything and be happy.

Basically, my questions is - what is the best way to go about introducing them since I may not be able to get the field divided in time?

 

[domane]

I got an 8-month (approx) colt a few years ago and because he was unhandled, he spent a few days in a stable with my cob mare coming in at night next to him so he wasn't alone the whole time. When I finally turned them out together they were absolutely fine from day one. Maybe he brought out my mare's maternal instinct, who knows... although she definitely kept him very well in check.

Earlier this year - new situation, no cobs anymore but have a docile, gentlemanly 15yo TB. Bought another cob colt, just on a year old. Had them beside each other in stables all afternoon for introductions over the stable door... all calm. Turned out together, bit of hooleying around but then settled. Two days later a friend witnessed my TB REALLY lay into colt, resulting in him running through a P&R fence! So out of character for the TB so can only assume colt had made a nuisance of himself or pushed his luck too far. Had to separate (as colt was then gelded) and kept them in adjacent fields for the next 3 weeks whilst he healed. Then turned back out together and they have been firm friends since, even though TB still doesn't take any nonsense from my youngster, which is just the upbringing he needs.

I have a Welsh D colt weanling coming to join my boys at the end of November and this time I will definitely put him in a fenced off paddock so they can get used to each other for a while first. Like you, I will be putting up a permanent fence but I will definitely be erring on the side of caution this time. Besides, new one will need to be gelded again so if he's alone, hopefully he'll stay a little quieter whilst he heals.

 

[magic104]

I personally would not just turn him out with them both. Is there no way he could just have the 2yo for company to start with? Failing that I would let him get used the field boundaries without the hassle of the other 2, then perhaps put the 2yo in let them settle then put the older horse in. I have a dominant mare & even when one of the others has been away for a few weeks I let them get re-introduced over the fence. The one thing that you want to avoid at all costs in your baby getting cornered.

 

[zoon]

My problem is, I do not have any stables to bring the others in and my other field currently has no fencing around it at all (just rented the field next to my land). I figured it'd be quicker to divide my current field in 2 than fence the whole new field. Work full time as well and now it is dark early I only have weekends! Will get our fingers out this weekend to divide field so he can go out alone and meet the others over the fence

 

[Tnavas]

If both yours are sensible and kind then there should be no problem - the field is big enough for him to have plenty of his own space. I've found that it can be more unsafe to seperate by tape than with a permenant fence.

Introduce as early as possible in the day so that you can stay around and watch. They will hoon around and he will love having a young friend to play with. Mine are all out together and they enjoy the company.

 

[jessepalermo1]

If your herd is only two ponies, then I wouldn't be too worried; not too many horses to bite and kick the little weanling into its place in the herd. I would let them meet over a fence, then turn them out in adjacent paddocks for a day or two. When you see the two ponies hanging out next to the fence with the weanling, they can all go in together.