New field buddy

[Crazycob06]

My mare has had a field to herself since I got her 6 months ago. She is very happy as she has other horses in fields around her. ATM she is easy to get in and out of her field whenever I need to.
My friend has now got a horse on loan that is suitable to go in with her and we should be putting them in together this weekend.
I am concerned that with it being just the two of them that there could be problems when one is taken out of the field without the other. If need be we can arrange that they get turned out and brought in together (I'm full livery, friend is DIY) although I won't have my friend lead her with her horse as mine can be a handful (takes the piss with people she knows she can get away with it with)
Could this go as badly as I'm thinking or do you think I will be nicely surprised and have no challenges?

Again I am new to this with her being my first horse but I do have a good YO on hand.

 

[Crazycob06]

Any advice? Is it a bad idea to have just two in a field that will be taken in and out at different times or will they get used to it? Will they care with others around them? I'm really worrying about this!

 

[Dizzydancer]

You can only try and sounds like even if they did stress you can cope as on full livery. They will prob be ok or at least yours will be as have others around. Depends i guess what friends horse like on her own. My boy doesn't settle if on own even if horses other side of electric fence. He is odd tho.

 

[Crazycob06]

Thank you, friends horse is currently still in quarantine field by its self and has never been a problem so maybe they will be absolutely fine! I do hope so!

 

[CBFan]

My boy is in a field with just one other and is happy to stand and wait his turn to be bought in, even when there are no other horses out. I have always made a point of not rushing to get him in when he's been left on his own and he has always been happy to wait for me. He's flicked between going out with company and going out on his own (when other horse has been kept in) with no problems.

To be honest, I would start as you mean to go on. They soon get used to the routine and if your mare has been calm at bringing in time until now, I can't see why she shouldn't continue in the future.

As for your friends horse, well that is something she will have to find out about her but I would suggest she starts as she means to go on with her too. If, after a few weeks it is a problem with your friend's horse being left on her own, perhaps she can make arrangements for the yard owner to bring in if neccesary and pay for her services?

 

[Crazycob06]

Thanks CBFan, so it's best we don't start doing them together then? Have them separated regularly so they get used to it straight away they should just adapt fine as have been on their own already?

 

[CBFan]

Thanks CBFan, so it's best we don't start doing them together then? Have them separated regularly so they get used to it straight away they should just adapt fine as have been on their own already?

Yes, Exactly... even if it is just 10 minutes apart... thats not to say you can never bring them in together etc but it does them no harm to learn from the off that one may go out before the other or come in before the other etc...