Putting in the herd - thoughts

[Hormonal Filly]

My mare has been kept in a paddock on her own but able to graze her neighbours over the fence for the last couple of years.

Moved yards; the summer grazing fields are big and were mega rich (ex dairy farm) due to her being grass sensitive (and recovering from a hock op) she’s been in a paddock on her own being fed ad-lib hay. She can groom the herd of mares over the fence.

I’m starting to feel guilty she’s on her own. Its a 4 acre summer field with 8 mares in the herd. Most of them have back shoes, and a new mare is being introduced next week. They do like a run about and there aren’t any pre introductions.

When I tried to put her out with 2 mares before she got so attached to one and it was hell. She almost became dangerous.

She’s not attached to anything now, apart from me and is in a routine. Selfishly. She’s going well ridden wise (we’ve had some bad luck!) and I don’t have any worries about kick injuries or not being able to catch her - no idea if it would be a issue but it’s in my mind.

Do I keep with what I’m doing? Consider the herd? Although I’m aware come winter she will have to go out with the herd.

 

[Barton Bounty]

Its a personal preference, in the grand scheme of horse life everyone would want a happy herd. Mine was a nightmare in a herd, separation anxiety all the time to any horse and then he just got aggressive and bullish to others. Some like it , some dont and thats just the way it is. He is better grooming over the fence

 

[Ossy2]

I would say if it isn’t broke don’t try to change it. But if she is going to have to go in a herd in winter then you’d want to know sooner rather than later how she will cope with it. If she could stay as she is all year then I suppose that’s would be the preference. It’s not selfish to need a set up that works for you as well as the horse.