New horse in to an established herd

[juli]

I turned my mare out to a new herd two days ago and it all seemed well. No fighting, but the established herd is quite cold and dismissive towards her. She has some moments where she connects with some of the lower ranked horses, but the lead mare wants nothing to do with her. So she is standing alone all the time. She is an independent mare and do not care if they go out of sight, but it's breaking my heart to see that she have no friends. How long does it take for an established herd to accept a newcomer?

 

[Red-1]

I turned my mare out to a new herd two days ago and it all seemed well. No fighting, but the established herd is quite cold and dismissive towards her. She has some moments where she connects with some of the lower ranked horses, but the lead mare wants nothing to do with her. So she is standing alone all the time. She is an independent mare and do not care if they go out of sight, but it's breaking my heart to see that she have no friends. How long does it take for an established herd to accept a newcomer?

Is it possible to go out for a ride with one of them? I think it helps if they go off adventuring together.

How long were they grazed adjacent prior to full turnout? Adjacent means a shy horse can say hello in safety.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Afraid, every horse is different, so no timescale, its can takes weeks for horses to settle in

 

[Horseysheepy]

You could try popping her in an adjacent paddock where she can feel safe but still make introductions with each horse. Then observe over a couple of days which horse is particularly paying her attention and grazing near her and showing friendliness over the fence.
Then try popping that horse in with her (with owners permission) quietly so she has a buddy established before putting them both back into the main herd.

 

[nagblagger]

i think it is breaking your heart because you are comparing to humans, but this is natural in the horse world. If she is not distressed or being injured then i would just leave her to find her own place in the pecking order. She has not been in the herd long, just give it time.

 

[Goldenstar]

She a horse experiencing a normal life event for a horse , being isolated from a new group .
The longer it takes the less likely it is that anyone gets hurt .
Be happy it’s going calmly and don’t waste your energy breaking your heart over it or your going to be in big trouble when the troubles that come with horses really hit .

 

[Arzada]

Arzada has moved herds several times and things have always been fine, sometimes with very quick integration. He has excellent social skills having been born in a herd and pretty much always lived in a herd. The last move was a few years ago and was unusual in that rather seamlessly slotting in he stayed alone in the periphery. It was upsetting. Within about two weeks he was part of the herd. It sounds like your mare understands how herds work and in time she will be fine.

 

[AmyMay]

Afraid, every horse is different, so no timescale, its can takes weeks for horses to settle in

This. It’s typical herd dynamics. And she’ll be welcomed in when she’s welcome in.

The important thing is that she’s not being targeted and bullied.

 

[Jess1994PM]

Honestly just be happy she has been accepted and there is no fighting or injury - if she is low ranked in the herd it is best that she keeps a nice distance but will still feel safe being around the other horses and is probably content just to be there eating. In time she will find a closer buddy most likely

 

[maya2008]

She’ll be fine. So long as no one is trying to injure her, she’s ok. In time, she will make friends