New horse protocol? Isolation/Introducing etc?

heebiejeebies

heebiejeebies

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Hi,

Just looking for a bit of advice. Got a new horse arriving in the next couple of weeks and wondered what I will need to do in terms of isolation and introducing to other horses. There are three other horses on private yard (no yard manager, just us left to our own devices!)

We don't worm, we just do a worm count every 6 months, so will have a worm count kit ready for her arrival.

The other horses at the yard all arrived from the same previous home at the same time so I've never done this before, any help or advice would be much appreciated!
 
Personally i would worm, then once thats sorted if they are going to live in a herd just pop them all in a field together. Horses don't like fighting and tend to try and find a way around things. Yes there might be a bit of a scuffle but if its an established herd the new one will find its place soon enough.
 
Worm yes. If the other 3 hack out/compete not much point quarantining. However, I'd suggest keeping in a separate field or separating with electric so they can meet safely, especially if the existing herd are in a relatively small paddock. I'd rather be safe than sorry.
 
Thank you!

The others don't hack or compete, we have an indoor school we use, as there is no safe hacking where we are. The field is huge, so if there are any arguments there is plenty space to get away from each other.

Should the new one be kept in for a few days for the others to see it from their stables? Or just put it out with them and let them sort it themselves?
 
I'd also worm. On our yard we also keep them in for 3 days minimum, to make sure that they are healthy and for the new horse to get used to the yard routine, people coming and going etc, and get to know the owner. :) When introducing we tend to just pop them out and stay around for a while in case of any major issues.
Good luck!
 
Definitely worm first. Then if you can, put the new one in the paddock for a while without the others so can famliarise themselves with their new home. Ideally then add just one or two of your residents initially (we use the quiet ones, but there's an argument for starting with herd leader), followed by the rest once the they have settled.
 
Ideally you'd worm and keep him segregated for several days. But in reality people introduce new horses straight away.

I wpuld definitely worm and then introduce him to the most dominant horse first. Give them a couple of hours and then turn the other 2 out. Any issues then bring in the horse thats causing them. Then turn that horse back out a couple of days later - once new horse has fpund his feet.
 
We have small introduction paddocks next to all the main ones, or if they're not available, put them in the adjoining field so they can meet over the fence. They're usually checked that worming is up to date and wormed if there's any doubt. Generally, they are turned out like this for from a few days to a week and then put into the main paddock with one or two to start with.

Horses may not like to fight, but the 'who's going to be top dog? squabbles are more likely to be avoided this way.
 
If there is no isolation procedure then I would employ common sense.

Ideally ask your vet to take blood and do the elise test (tapeworm) whilst he/she is at it just test the blood for all the usual things

If the horse has come from an 'infected area' and there are quite a few areas now with equine flu, then I would be extra cautious and keep in for about 7 days by that time your vet would have got back the blood results and elise test.

I would not put a wormer in your horse unless absolutely necessary. This is why we have resistance to the wormers.

Your horse will be stressed anyway coming to a different home and travelling how ever far he/she is coming and sticking any old wormer in will also put a stress on the system and may cause other damage instead.

If at all possible fence off a bit of the field to introduce to the herd.

Good luck
 
Thank you all for so much advice!

Foraday I'm with you on not worming unless necessary, which is why I will do a worm count straight away, field is also poo picked religiously!

Interesting to see one person suggests introducing the quietest member first and someone else says introduce the most dominant member first... I think I will go for introducing the quietest one first. Although a mare we have is the most bolshy, the gelding seems to be the one who keeps everyone in check. If I put the gelding out with a stranger he will most likely panic at being without someone he knows... bolshy mare will probably attempt to flatten new one (a shetland pony!!) so that leaves the older mare, who isn't fazed by anything at all. At least if the bolshy mare DOES try and flatten the shetland then the gelding will be out with her to knock her down a peg or two!
Maybe if the other two see that the older mare isn't bothered then they will see there's nothing to bother with either. I hope. :)
 
We always put the new horse into a field next to the herd, so that they can meet over the fence/wall and get to know each other without danger - this stage has been known to take up to 3 weeks. We take the back shoes off any shod horses before putting them all in together, again to be on the safe side. I certainly wouldn't be keeping a new horse in for 7 days.
 
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