Introducing stallion to geldings

[rara007]

Sorry- not strictly breeding. (yet)

Next week I have a stallion arriving- 5YO, not covered this year but did serve a fair number of mares as a 3 and 4YO. Has been living with both other stallions and geldings this year. He's 13.1, the others he's going with are 12.1 - 13.3, and all 'normal' early cut non riggy.

I'm planning on having him out with 3 geldings. The 13.3 is used to herd changes regularly but never been with an entire - has never caused issue though The 2x 12.1 welsh PBs have lived in a mixed herd with colts a lot of their life and are very submissive to everything. The 13.3 will be boss over the 12.1s but I expect the stallion may end up herd head. We don't have any mares on the yard though we are next to a byway that people hack on (hedges are the best part of 10m tall with good fencing so no chances of sniffs over the fence etc)

How would you go about introducing them? Usually with a submissive group like this introducing geldings we just put them all out together. Would you introduce over a stable door first? Introduce one pony at a time? Or just go together and monitor?

Ta

 

[Equi]

The same way you would introduce any. Do be aware they can suddenly change moods - my stallion and gelding spent the best part of a year together now they can barely be near a fence together.

 

[Dry Rot]

When I tried to put a young gelding in with my usually very quiet stallion, the stallion literally tried to kill him. He got him in a corner and was going at him with feet and teeth. Fortunately, I managed to intervene with a lunge whip on the quad and eventually closed a gate between them.

The two were put into adjacent fields and in a few weeks, they were grooming each other over the fence. I opened the gate and the two got on fine thereafter. That's the way I would do it in the future. I wouldn't just throw them in together and hope!

Now here's a funny story for you! We decided to show the stallion which meant an over night stay in private stables. In the next stable there was a small Welsh stallion. I was very apprehensive as the two could reach each other over the partition and didn't know each other, but my experienced friend said they would be fine. After twenty minutes, the two were mutual grooming over the partition. (Would they have done that if there had been mares about? I don't know). Next day my stallion refused to load. Unheard of! I suggested loading the Welsh first. Welsh loaded and then my stallion walked on without protest. Go figure. Stallions can be funny (in my experience!).

 

[MHSporthorses]

I have just introduced my stallion to a gelding. The stallion is 9 years old and has always had company over the fence so is a fairly sociable boy anyway but is also a bit of a wimp deep down. I had them in adjacent fields initially so that they could not touch noses and when all seemed peaceful (about 4 days) I had them so that they could touch over the fence and interact more freely. They remained like this for about a month or so and had been travelled together during this period also. When I decided to try them together I moved them both into a large paddock that was unfamiliar to both so that it was nobodies "territory" and turned them both loose with headcollars on in case I needed to intervene. they were also both wearing thick turnout rugs for a bit of protection! Absolutely nothing happened. The stallion followed him around for a bit and did draw whilst sniffing him, but the gelding was happy to stand and eat rather than run away and just threatened to kick him when he got a bit to close for comfort! I also left them out 24/7 so that I was not having to reintroduce them every morning as I have found in the past that you literally go through it for the first time every day when I have done it that way. They have had moments sorting themselves out and we have had some biting and a couple of kicks but nothing serious as the rugs have offered some protection. now they are back in to a normal routine of being in at night and turned out together in the day and all is fine, in fact they are very good friends. I have no idea how their relationship will change when spring comes and the stallion returns to stud duties, I will have to wait and see. Best of luck x

 

[rara007]