introducing new gelding to my old mare

[oldhat]

Hi everyone! I have had my mare for nearly 15 years and for 11 of those she was kept with one other older mare who ruled the roost. Sadly we lost our older mare Molly this April and although we initially looked for another mare as company, we found this gorgeous laid back lad who is 12 years old, haflinger and he is so chilled we decided to get him as her friend. The only problem we have now is putting them together. I am tempted to stick them in together and just see what transpires. I think that the mare will probably be the boss as she was with a previous boy years ago. Is this a sound approach? I know it all depends on the actual temperaments of the horses involved, obviously we do want this to work! They will be the only two together on our wee 3 acre croft! Any suggestions anyone??

 

[Show Girl]

Hi ya, could you possibly split your field with electric fencing and put one in each side for a few days? to get used to each other, this is what we do on my yard seems to work well.
I did put Jock my TB straight out with Honey my old TB mare, she was 27 at the time and bossed him around something wicked would squawk and stamp her feet at him if he didn't do as he was told, when dexy came along I split field and put him beside them, he was in with them with in a week with no problems. It was a different story when I lost Honey last year, she hadn't really been going out much with them then as she prefered to stay in her stable and just go out for a little walk and some grass, so Jock & Dex had become great field pals, so decided to try and introduce my youngster (mare) in with them as they are both SO laid back, did the same thing split the field, all goes well so few days later pop her in with them stayed and watched for ages, all getting along fine so left them to it, 2 hours later get a phone call, can I come and get Dex as Jock and Lou have ganged up on him and Jock is basically telling him that Lou is his girlfriend and he can sod off. Poor Dex was mortified his best friend had turned on him, still can't put them together 9 months later even if i leave madam in the stable out of the way.

 

[Tickles]

Can you have them turned out next to each other for a few days first? Hats and gloves and an OH/friend around the first time you turn them out together in case you need to seperate them quick. Then keep an eye for a few days and with any luck they'll be v pleased to have each other - enjoy your new blondie!

 

[bedbug]

We separated our two with electric tape for a few weeks but eventually gave up and let them be in together as they started to break through to be with the other after a few weeks so guessed they were happy to be in each others company.

In fact I think the last time they got in with each other (before taking the tape down) it started raining and they both shared a stable together to shelter....to give the the picture a strapping 16.2 TB and a chunky 15.2 welsh cob in a stable of about 10x10...it was cosy in there

 

[oldhat]

Thanks for the feedback! L:ast night I rode over to where the new haffy lives and let them meet over the gate - oh dear! Jasmine, my mare made that terrible 'i hate you' sound twice but at the time she was also fighting off a huge plume of flies and his friend - also a mare - who dominates him - was also trying to get in on the fun! I worried all ther way home about Jas' reation! Now |I am wondering if I should not get Jasmine shod (farrier due this week), or at least remove her back shoes? I could keep Haffy in a field next to hers for a bit to see how they get on but he has SUCH a huge mane and tail (!!) that I'm also worried he'll get tied up in the fencing. He as I said is used to being dominated by mares (poor lad!) so I thought he'd hopefully continue to be submissive to Jas, he did immediatley back off when she had a go. I will update on what happens!! Any more suggestions??!!