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Discussion on Problem with introducing new horse PLEASE HELP
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New Member:
jenny234
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2011 - 7:09 pm:
Hi Everyone, I have a problem that I would like some advice on. We have 2 horses, a dominant Quarter Horse paint named Amigo,and a black frisky thoroughbred - quarter horse mix named Nightshade. The two of them have lived alone together for 4 to 6 years and are very close. Recently we bought a new horse named Skipper, he is smaller than the other 2 and older by one or two years. We kept them separated for a few days but then Amigo started breaking into the new horses pasture because he had finishes his hay bale and wanted Skippers, and chased Skipper out of his pasture. We fixed that problem by strengthening the electric fence and getting Amigo another round-bale. By then the horses had already been together for a while so we decided to put all 3 in the same pasture. But the other 2 horses wont allow Skipper to get anywhere near them and surprisingly Nightshade is the most aggressive towards Skipper, I say surprisingly because Nightshade was always being pushed around by Amigo. Is that Normal or did we do something wrong?
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Member:
juliem
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2011 - 8:48 pm:
Welcome Lynn. A good rule of thumb is to keep new horses separated for two weeks. It's best if they can see and touch over the fence if it's a solid fence. If not, probably best they can't reach each other. It's pretty normal for the more submissive horse in the original herd to be the most aggressive. He only has one direction in the pecking order to go, and he doesn't want to be the bottom! What I would do is: separate for two weeks, then introduce Nightshade (the least dominant of your two) alone and watch them. Don't expect them to eat from the same feeder--you'll need at least one per horse. I would leave the two of them together and keep Amigo alone for a few days. Then I'd switch Amigo and Nightshade, so you have Amigo and Skipper together for a few days. You should watch them during this time and be ready to intervene. After they all seem peaceful, you could try them all together. You should be sure there are at least three (four would be better) places spaced far enough apart that each horse can eat alone and unbothered.
I'm sure Dr. O has an article addressing this very issue. It's very common for the established horses to be aggressive to a newcomer so none of the horses should have rear shoes on. Be sure the area they are in is large enough and has no small spaces where one can get trapped or cornered. If you take enough time, chances or injury are lessened and everyone will get along. I have found that with three horses, often two seem to be very bonded and the third is sort of an outsider that's just tolerated. You'll find lots of help on this site.
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New Member:
jenny234
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2011 - 8:59 pm:
i so applicate your answer Julie
should i still separate them if Skipper has already been with them for a few days? also separating Amigo and Nightshade can be dangerous to Skipper because when they are separated they go completely nuts and Skipper can get hurt should i take Skipper out of the pasture until Nightshade calms down?
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Member:
scooter
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Posted on Monday, Jan 17, 2011 - 9:19 pm:
If they are not fighting aggressively I would leave them all together, it takes time to establish a herd order. Nightshade is probably protecting his no. 2 status. The herd order can change many times within the first few mos. to even a year, depends on the horses and if Skip is up to a challenge, but unless he is a very dominant horse he will probably sit back and try to figure things out. I introduced two new horses to my herd this year. After they visited over the fence for a couple days I let them out to work it out, and they did. Once in awhile there was a half hearted chase.
Again if they are NOT overly aggressive I wouldn't worry about it. The first horse I locked on the other side of the fence at night for a week or so, until I felt the major chasing was over and I could keep an eye on them during the day.
IMHO they are acting very normal
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Member:
ajudson1
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 - 7:41 am:
Herd dynamics change any time you add a horse, and as I found out this year, when you subtract a horse too.
The only thing I want to add to the great advice others gave is make sure you keep yourself the herd leader when you are present in the pasture with them. Walk and act with complete confidence, don't try to put human emotions into the situation. In other words, don't do any "AW Poor baby, you're getting beat up" type of actions. (Just speaking from my experience, lol!) If you make it clear you are the leader, and move amongst them with confidence and clarity, you can do a lot towards helping them adjust to each other. Being still is helpful and soon all 3 will be coming up to you and seeking your attention, and forget about fighting it out.
Enjoy your new horse!
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New Member:
jenny234
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 - 3:00 pm:
is there anything i can do to get Nightshade to lighten up or will he have to work it out for himself?
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Member:
leilani
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Posted on Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 - 5:29 pm:
Hi Lynn,
I recently moved my 2 QH mares back home to join my 2 donkeys. We kept them in separate pastures for a couple of days and then I monitored them closely for any issues.
My older mare, Mele has always been in charge so nothing changed. Anuhea is second followed by the donks. When the mares came back, I found that the donks were much more aware of Mele's body language and got out of the way without a second request.
Do your horses have shoes on? It's probably best to at least remove back shoes.
Take care. Leilani
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