Mixing Mare with Geldings?

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Toby_Zaphod

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I have only ever had geldings & on whatever yard I have been on...one yard would only accept geldings & on my current one both sexes are accepted but are put in spearate paddocks.

A friend has several geldings & someone wants to come to her yard with a mare. Could those members who have first hand experience of this situation please post their views on how this is best to be managed. The last thing this friend wants is for injury to be caused to any of the horses.....I will pass on any views expressed that will help her to manage the situation. Thanks in advance.
 
Normally you can have many mares with one gelding....but if you have one mare with many geldings, they may fight over her, particularly when she is in season, and particularly if any of the boys were cut late/are slightly 'riggy'.
I suggest your friend puts her mare in with one gelding, and keeps the other boys in a bachelor herd.
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I have one gelding and three mares, they are all out together along with a friends mare and get on really well, but don't think I would like it the other way around........
 
My gelding is in a field with 4 geldings and one mare and we don't have many problems really.

When the mare is in season we can have a bit of bother seperating my gelding and the mare when it comes to bringing them in (they stand screaming for each other) but it only lasts a few days and then they are all back to normal.

TBH the paddock next door to ours has had more problems with horses fighting etc and they are an established field full of geldings, they've recently had to move one of them (it went into a field with one mare and about 6 geldings funnily enough)because it was getting bullied so much!

Introducing a new horse to a field is always a worry isn't it, I hate it!
 
To be perfectly honest.. I have never understood seperating them?!
Ive had horses for almost 9 years and have ALWAYS had a mixed herd!
We had a lovely mixed herd of 5 geldings and 6 mares at one stage and they were all so happy. Never had any injuries etc. They all had their friends, usually a mare/gelding pair. Occasionally two mares. But we never had any problems at all.

Have also had a herd of 4 geldings and 1 mare which was also absolutely fine.
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Bad pic but you can see the dots of the horses...

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And here.. 2 geldings, 4 mares. Absolutely fine and loved it.
 
They are all mixed at our yard and tbh I think its the best way. Its a natural environment for them and allows them to socialise and be a heard as they would in the wild.

Saying that, when introducing one mare to an established heard of geldings you MAY have a little fighting at first but the geldings will already have a heard leader and their own rank in the field so I wouldnt worry too much really. Im sure if there is going to be trouble this will become apparent within the first 24hrs.
 
Hey Tobyz - has your daughter been compting recently...I love watching the vids :0)
Part of the reason I sold my mare was due to my old mare attacking her in the field with my gelding.
I had two mares and 1 gelding in together and it didnt work...but my old mare is a flusey so it all depends on the nature of the horses as well I believe....
 
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Saying that, when introducing one mare to an established heard of geldings you MAY have a little fighting at first but the geldings will already have a heard leader and their own rank in the field so I wouldnt worry too much really. Im sure if there is going to be trouble this will become apparent within the first 24hrs.

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That is true however in my experience that would potentially be the case introducing any new horse to an established herd regardless of gender particularly if the horse has a dominant nature
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I have two mares out with three geldings and don't have any problems with them. I have never separated mares and geldings - as long as they have enough space and plenty to eat, which stops them looking for trouble! However I do understand your friends concerns, because you can never predict how the horses with react.
 
This seems to be a reasonably new thing (ie the last 10 years) for mares and geldings to be seperated. I have had horses for 30 years and have never given a second thought to mares and geldings being turned out together - never had any problems either....
 
My mare always lived out with geldings and this caused no problems. However, the gelding I have now is very possessive of her and is a nightmare to get away from her - they are in adjoining paddocks. I think it's fine if your geldings aren't in the least bit interested in mares, but very difficult if they are!!
 
We have always mixed mares and geldings and never had any problems.
 
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