Introducing youngster to big herd

michellev123

michellev123

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Hi
I am after any advice on introducing my 2.5yo to a new herd at his new yard!!! The fields are seperated into geldings and Mares so he will be in with the geldings!

There is usually between 15-23 other horses.

What is the best way to introduce him? The fields are huge (must be at least 20-25 acres) so he will have plenty of room to keep out of the way!!

Any advice apreciated.

Thanks
 
That size and that many-chuck him in and let him get on with it. There will always be someone submissive he can pal up with and taking out the bullies or introducing him to the leaders separately isn't practical. And a herd that size is usually very tolerant as they're less possessive about friends.
 
I would disagree with the other posters but then it depends how established the 'herd' is I guess. It took 5 weeks before i could put my youngster in with our herd this year, although we did do some individual introductions with the lower ranking horses to start with. After 5 weeks we did out them all in together and although it all seemed fine for a day my horse then decided he wanmted to kill the youngster and just went for him, chasing him round and round on a circle - it was relentless and would have gone until one of them collapsed basically. We had a horse previously who we think was a rig who exhibited this behaviour. it does not make for pleasant watching!!!

However, once we separated them again, we put them altogether the next day and it was all fine.

If you know the herd and the individuals that make up that herd then and what the structure is then you will know whether it's 'safe' to put him straight in. For example, if there has regularly been new horses coming and going it is likely they don't have a stromg structure but if the youngster is the first new one for a while then there could be trouble.

It all depends on the individual set up I guess. I prefer to air on the side of caution!! Lol

Oh and sorry forgot to add - it is also important to know if said youngster has been used to a herd before. If not then you will need to be more cautious as he may not understand how horse herds work!
 
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Oh and sorry forgot to add - it is also important to know if said youngster has been used to a herd before. If not then you will need to be more cautious as he may not understand how horse herds work!
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I kind of agree with all you have said here, but had to ask about this comment?? Are horses not born with a built in 'herd instinct'??
 
The horses have probably around 3-6 horses taken away and added a year. He was with a herd of 17 for his first 2 years but for the last 6 has been on his own (hence the moving) over the fence with a herd as the gelding of the herd (The rest being mares) decided he wanted him dead and put some terrible bites on him and kicked hiom through a fence dispite a slow individual introduction!

He is very submissive tho so i am hopeful if there are no mares around he should just settle quickly at the bottom?!

Thanks for the comments all welcome....
 
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