Turning out in two,s or more!!!

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keekee

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I have always been more than happy to turn my horse out with 1 other as it,s nice for them to have a companion to itch with and swish flys ect however the new yard i have just come to is lovely there is only 6 horses and the owner likes to rotate her paddocks regulary and as the fields r big(plenty or room to get out the way) they like to turn all horses out together so far she is in the paddock next to the group and each day we try a different 1 with her which has been ok so far iv never put her in with a group befour and im so worried about her getting kicked but imagin it would be nice for her to run with the group altho she is soft and wont stick up 4 herself therefore probably will get bullyed what are your thoughts please........... what would you do??? give it a try or not risk it...
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I have two mares one is a complete wimp (16.3) one is a bully (13.3) at my previous yard they were in a herd of 18 both were much happier and neither really got injured, but of the injuries that did happen the bully got the most and worst so I dont think that just because your horse is a wimp is a bad thing. Its much more natural to be in a herd and you will most probably end up with a much more chilled happy horse. I have unfortunately had to move as I've relocated and at my new yard all the horses are in sections mine are out together which has made them VERY clingy and insecure unfortunately I dont have any other option but if I could go back to them being in a herd i definately would. I would go for it, you may have a few problems for a little while, while they establish a heirachy but once this is sorted shouldnt be a problem just perservere as you'll probably worry for a little while but you'll have a much happier horse in the end!
 
i would watch the herd very carefully as it is without your mare in it, and work out who are the dominant ones and what they do. if they are content with a scowl and a swish of the tail, then okay, but if they are aggressive and lash out, and are shod, i would not risk it, personally.
i won't put them in together once they're shod, but that's because i had a horrible experience many years ago (found my friend's beloved horse in the field with broken leg from a kick, and had to call the vet and hold him as he was shot.) it was so awful and i will do anything to avoid it happening again, including keeping them all in solitary! (they can groom each other over the fences though)
i'd go with your gut instinct.
 
I'd always, always go for a more natural herd environment. Of course, this comes with a raft of common sense provisos, ie proper introduction, not too many horses, big enough field with reasonable grazing, good fencing, water trough not in a corner, either same sex herd or a balanced mix so one ned isn't (say) the only mare in with 10 geldings. I'd watch very carefully for an hour or more when my ned joined a new herd and in an established herd there's bound to be interest and some squealing and jostling and so on. But it usually settles within a half hour. The thing to remember is that any horse can have a terrible accident with just one companion or even with NO companions. Kerilli, so sorry to hear what happened to you...not trying to belittle that in any way x
 
Thanks all yes that is true as iv found out my horse got caught in wire and she was on her own i think i will give it a try but if ther r being particuly nasty to her i will have to intervein hope it will go well as i think shewould be happyer x
 
Depends on the horse. I have 2 that always go together, the other 3 are indiv. F is grumpy and doesn't want anything in her field, she chases rabbits out.
J tries to play too much and little M is too fat.

However this morning I found M in with J, he has either jumped of limbo'd as the fence is in tact! Niether is lame or damaged so I guess they want to be friends.

Anyone want a part broken 13.2 jumping pony?
 
i used to have a small yard with 4 five acre paddocks we always used to turn out mares and geldings together no problems
they ranged from shetland to 16.3 irish draught

they will sort out they owe pecking order if us humans leave them alone

its what they do in the wild
 
I know how you feel, but unfortunately if the yard that you are at works like that what more can you do. Mine are all out together with a friends horse, but I have 4, so only 5 of them out and they have 10+ acres to run in and it's 4 mares and 1 gelding and they get on really well, they have sorted their pecking order out and it works ok.
 
We have a large (13 horse) mixed sex, height, age herd, once pecking order is established then we have few problems. The odd bite or small cut happens but in ten years we've only had one serious injury inflicted by another horse.
 
Like all things with horses large group turnout sometimes works and sometimes it doesn't! I had three and when the fourth arrived I split them two and two, to give them time to settle. All was fine over the fence, hacking out together etc., so a month down the line I let all four in together. The older group of three were still fine but the dominant horse kicked the s**t out of the new one despite not having shown any signs of aggression previously (to either that particular horse or any other before!). He ended up with an infected cut from a kick and a month's box rest. But...you never know with horses so fingers crossed for you!
 
It depends a lot on the horses. I recently moved mine who has never been in a field with more than one horse and whichever horse he was in with he was always bottom.

He is now in with 3 others and he is now only second to bottom and they all get on well !! However none of the horses concerned are particulary dominant and I've seen no particular kicking etc. Best of luck as it can be nerve racking.
 
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