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Acclimating a new horse?
So we all know that a new horse on the property can be a big mess for a while, but I'm floored by how downright mean my three horses are to the new mare. I mean, they aren't even trying the whole nose sniffing thing. They moved right into "I hate you and you better run or I'll kill you" mode. I know that usually it all blows over, but I'm really shocked by how nasty everyone is being to her.
Does anyone have tips or ideas to help soften the whole experience? The poor thing was halfway to colic today with all the stress.
Currently we have a one acre turnout paddock, and individual stalls for nights and bad weather. I can easily turn her out alone for a while, turn her out with only one or two at a time... whatever will make her transition the easiest.
Thank you Resident and May. One acre is small, but it's what we have to work with. Saying that more land is needed might be true, but its useless information-- if land were that easy to buy, they would sell it at Walmart. The idea of one horse at a time is something I like, so I'll keep doing that. I also like the idea of giving them some 'hazing' of their own to deal with, so they start working like a herd. I'll work on that one. :)
Demi, that is a fascinating idea. So there are states that make it illegal to keep a horse in a stall? You do realize a stall is less than one acre, right? I know show horses that get zero turnout, or at most get to run in an indoor arena. Guess they must not allow those horses in some states, huh?
4 Answers
- FinleyLv 71 decade agoFavorite Answer
One acre is way too small an area to introduce so many horses at once.
Put her into that one acre with only one horse for a week's time.
Then when you have put her in with one of each horse.....then go with 2 horses with her.....but keep them moving. take a whip and move them around (put some walking shoes on. 1 acre is small enough for you to walk around)
Moving them around in a unit, makes them realize they can run together like a herd. (I don't mean run them! Metaphorically, they can 'run' in a herd)
Introducing a mare....a hormonal female....into any herd will cause problems, esp if the other horses are mares, too.
Once you've let them all get used to each other (one on one only, then 2 with her).....go ahead and let them loose on that little acre. But watch them closely. You might not be able to leave them all together for good and might have to keep her separate or with one other horse only....because she's a mare.
Mares can cause problems because they come into heat and this can make the other horses fight her or fight each other.
- Anonymous1 decade ago
Are your other three horses Geldings?If so it may seem different to them having a mare in the yard if their used to just having geldings.I have read the answers other people have put and agree with them about the 1 acre.However you said that you only take one horse into the field at a time.Maybe you should put one of your old horses in with your mare and see how they get on.If you don't like that idea then you have to get some more land or sell one or 2 of your horses.
- ?Lv 51 decade ago
How many horses are there? You are meant to have a least one acre per horse......they must be crowed and bringing another horse into a crowed field won't do much to help.
EDIT: I know you can't just magic up more land but I think buying another horse with so little land already is just irresponsible, you may not be able to get more land but you don't have to have so many horses. Some states are so strict that it is the law that you need at least one acre per horse for their welfare.
- 1 decade ago
Well this worked for my horses we had two horses and then we got one more. so we got one fo the old horses and took it away for a while (1 to 4 days to a friends house) and the other horse was so alone that he wanted to be friends. (It is better ir you take the lower horse in the pecking order and leave the alfa mare/gelding so when you bring the other horse back the lead horse will tell the under dog horse that it is a friend)
Good Luck!!
