Is this statement true? (about a herd)

[RubysGold]

"A horse doesn’t necessarily have to be in the same fenced area as the others to be part of that herd."

I moved onto my current yard mid March. Roo hasn't been introduced to the herd yet as she was still on box rest when we moved and had to be gradually introduced to turn out.

So the other horses have seen her and she's spent a few of those weeks next to them, but when they tried to greet her over the fence she just ignored them and didnt go to the fence (though I did once catch her mutually grooming one)

So, I now have to put her in with them soon, and Im worried. Is that statement above true? If so, she could already be a part of them?

Is there anything I can do on the day to protect her? Im planning on LW rug and boots all round.

 

[dafthoss]

The yard where I am does this and we have never had any problems, we just take the fence down and let them mix in their own time. There is occasionally a bit of running round but the playing seems to come a bit later when thay all know where they stand.

 

[celia]

If they've been happily grazing next door to each other for a while then they'll probably settle fairly quickly once in together. She sounds like a sensible type so I wouldn't think you'd have too much running about. If you wanted to take things slower you could always put one of the other horses in with her for a day or two which will give you an indication of how quickly she'll settle in without having to worry about the whole herd getting involved. TBH, I wouldn't put a rug on her, especially if it's warm, as if they do run about she'll end up all hot and sweaty. Hope you don't mind me saying this - I'm sure we're all the same about this sort of thing - but you sound a little over-protective! Probably understandable if she's coming back from an injury but most of the time these things go pretty smoothly.

 

[RubysGold]

Celia: You just hit the nail straight on the head!
I do over-protect, shes everything to me and I cant help it

Theres been a few times she's kicked out over the fence, but only when the young one comes pestering (he nipped her bum in typical baby way), so Im hoping he'll leave her be so he doesnt get a kick. Shes been grumpy a few times, I think simply because she hasnt been in a herd for just over a year.
She was once in the paddock the others have to walk through to get to their field. She looked up when the horses were led through but she didnt go over. So I think, once they leave her alone, it should be ok.

 

[flyingfeet]

The ideal way to introduce a new horse is by grazing it next to the intended herd, ideally so they can touch over a fence.

I would also put boots on, but usually its the first 30 mins when they are sorting themselves out

I wouldn't put a rug on, as I think it can cause more problems if ripped.

 

[Tinypony]

If she hasn't been out in company for a year, I'd be tempted to be a bit more cautious and pair her up with one of the herd before putting her out with all of them. Maybe the one she was seen grooming with? I know that one behaviourist suggests pairing up the new horse with the herd leader before the full introduction.
Be prepared for a bit of argy bargy when she meets new horses, it is normal and something to be endured.

 

[ladyt25]

We tend to introduce any new horses to our herd very slowly as we have a very established herd and a very strict pecking order and the '2nd in command' as it were (my horse) is a bit of a beast. He never used to be but since he's established himself as the leader's sidekick he takes it upon himself to sort out any newcomers and he's not pleasant!!!! So, I think a lot depends on the nature of the herd anyway. If they are used to a changing pack - ie horses coming and going, they are less likely to have a very stringent pecking order compared to a herd that has been unchanged for years.

We tend to introduce ours one by one starting with introducing the lowest ranking member as generally the problems are caused when the friendly, lower ranking horses want to say hello to the newbie and this will upset the herd leader as they want to keep the new horse a distance away (they then normally gradually let them nearer until deciding they can be part of the herd). If the lower ranking horses have already been introduced then they are then less bothered about saying hi to the new one so don't cause the gerd leader as much stress!

It took 5 weeks for me to settle in my new youngster last year as, until then we'd not had a new horse for 6 years! Even after 5 weeks and slow introductions, my horse still lost it at one point and went on a sort of death chase. It was horrid and we had to separate them again (only for one day). Oddly after that one final day's separation all has been fine since and order has been restored!