Turnout logistics

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gallopinghooves

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Hi all,

Do you think a mare would cope ok living only with a few other geldings? Or do they generally much prefer to have a mix?
Have an opportunity to go to a great yard but there are only geldings and I'm not sure if that would be nice for her? Any experience appreciated!
 
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gallopinghooves said:
Hi all,

Do you think a mare would cope ok living only with a few other geldings? Or do they generally much prefer to have a mix?
Have an opportunity to go to a great yard but there are only geldings and I'm not sure if that would be nice for her? Any experience appreciated!
Click to expand...
i think this will entirely depend on the personalities of the horses concerned.
A new mare into an established group of geldings - could create a lot of competition, and continual hassle for the mare. Commercial yards often separate genders to avoid this sort of issue.
Equally I do know one very dominant mare living with four geldings (one only gelded as a 7 yr old, had previously covered mares, so unlikely), but she absolutely rules the roost. Never any kicking or jostling, that mare just flicks an ear, been together for several years, mostly live outside, and the mare no longer ridden so never leaves the group to their own devices. She isn’t very big (at side of the geldings), but is a lot older - whether that makes a difference?
 
She is likely to be fine, however if I owned one the geldings I would be worried about his lights being kicked out, especially if she is shod. A lot will depend on how curious the geldings are with their new lady friend. If she is dominant they will probably all stick together at the other end of the paddock and leave her alone until she comes into season and makes their lives a misery. I have a mare with a gelding and it does work but they grew up together from babies. There is a healthy respect from the gelding to the mare now and if she stamps her foot he faints and clears off.
 
one mare and two gelding didn’t mix here. the geldings used to fight over her and my boy ended up getting kicked. Then my boy tried to chase her around the field and gave himself a splint. Two mares and one gelding might work but it would depend on their personalities
 
Thanks everyone, so she would be separated (I think) but would mean being in a field by herself next to their field so they can see each other / communicate over the fence BUT I've heard that can make matters worse when separated. She's new so I don't know her very well, she is on season at the moment and seems to attract attention but isn't mareish... Just a lot of fluids 🤣

Not sure if I would want her to be in a field by her self anyway!
 
My mare is very mareish and kicks at most horses, male or female!! She shares with my gelding and they get on fine! He keeps his distance. I would say it should be fine but you might need to keep a close eye!
 
I've had 1 mare and 2 geldings on three separate occasions.

The mare and one of the geldings have been together for 5yrs. Then there have been 3 different other geldings with them over time.

There's not particularly any drama, but I think mostly because my original gelding is a peace keeper and just gets out the way. None of them have ever cared when she's in season, despite her being an absolute pest.

Going forward I intend on only having the boys together and not mixed with the mare - in part for their own sanity.
 
gallopinghooves said:
Hi all,

Do you think a mare would cope ok living only with a few other geldings? Or do they generally much prefer to have a mix?
Have an opportunity to go to a great yard but there are only geldings and I'm not sure if that would be nice for her? Any experience appreciated!
Click to expand...
They adapt, years ago most yards were mixed. I prefer mixed turnout. It is a new thing just mares. Too many bitchy mares or hormonal mares can be a real pain. OP your scenario would not put me off and would go to this yard. Currently due to the liveries we have mostly mares except one tiny pony in the front, all the ones in the back are mares. I am going against all my previous decisions, and have never bought a gelding as I prefer mares. Once my recently purchased mare is sold, I will buy my first gelding only due to the dynamics in the field. My late boy I bred so I did not choose but he was my main man.

I have had several bitchy mares fighting and kicking, but swapping them round with mixed quietened things down. I would be turning away a lot of liveries if I split them up, say mares field was full and had one gelding jeeze I could be waiting for months before I got the equal in geldings.
 
Mixed is great unless there is a riggy gelding in the mix. I used to own one and he damaged my friend's mare trying to mounting her. I was very unpopular but the stables still kept him turned out in a mixed herd.
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I have 2 geldings and a mare. 5 yr old mare and 26 yr old gelding are good mates. Old gelding also gets along with young gelding (3 yr old cob pony). Mare doesn't like small cob and drives him off. It sounds complicated but it actually works well for us. I'm not sure I'd want my mare going in with an established herd of unknown geldings though.
 
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