Introducing our new mare to the herd.

[Merri]

We brought home our new Connemara mare yesterday. She is being kept on a small yard until a stable becomes available on our permanent yard.

The horses are still on winter turnout; there is a very small paddock with is just mud. There is no grass in it at all. The horses are turned out for just an hour or so each day. We turned her out for a little time last night. She was on her own, with a few ponies in an adjacent field. The ponies all galloped up to see her, she went up, squealed, reared a little and galloped off.

Today we turned her out with a few ponies in the muddy paddock again. Ponies came over to her, there was a whole lot of careering around, and she kicked out several times.

I'm wondering how best to manage this. Putting her in a paddock alone to get used to the other ponies is not an option. I was thinking to ask someone with a quieter pony if they would be willing turn them out together for a little while until she settles.

My daughter hasn't ridden her yet; this yard has no school, so she needs to hack out. Daughter is getting nervous, as she'll have to go past all the ponies in the field. On the day my daughter rose her for the vetting, (at the yard she came from) 3 horses came cantering up to the school fence, obviously being playful, and the mare was a bit giddy, wanting to join in. Nothing dangerous.

I would really appreciate thoughts on this please!

 

[be positive]

Is there any one sensible on the yard she can hack with? otherwise I would walk with her or even tack up and walk the pony past the others before she gets on, I would get her out as much as possible but if there really is no grass it is unlikely they will settle because they will have nothing better to do, the more time she spends shut in with no exercise the more likely she is to be fresh and play up so you really need to get on with something until she can go out for longer in a proper field which should enable her to settle down and relax.

Is there a possibility of hiring a local school or going somewhere for a few lessons to help get them going?

 

[Merri]

I'm so sorry, I had replied to your post, but the reply has disappeared, not sure what I did wrong.
We've now moved to our permanent yard. She's got to stay in 'till tested for worms (waiting for kit to arrive) so it's giving her more of a chance to settle in before going out.
We do have 3 schools here, so she's getting lots of chance to get out & about, as well as gentle hacks.

Thank you for taking the time to reply!