Older Mare t/o with 14 other horses?

Question

My questions: I am moving to a new stable where all the horses get turned out together (14 total; geldings and mares). The age range is 3-26. My horse is in her 30's. How should I go about introducing my horse to the others without getting either of them injured. Eventually she will be turned out all day with everyone, but for right now I want to slowly get her used to being around these many horses.

To Answer some general questions

- no I do not know how the other horses behave around a new horse

- all the horses get turned out together for hay, but come in for grain

- my horse is passive, meaning she will not fight back if something happens

- my horse is the only one with all four shoes on (the rest of the herd is barefoot). The reason my horse has all four's on is because of leg problems)

Thank you

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Answer 1

If you can, find out which horse is the least aggressive. See if you can get that horse and your mare put out together for a week or so. This way, your horse will have already bonded with one of the horses, and that may help if your horse gets rejected by the herd. When you say your horse is passive, have you seen her out with other horses or are you just saying she is passive with you? Some gentle horses can get VERY aggressive towards other horses. She may be just fine to be turned out.

The first time you put her out there, they are all going to fight. Especially if your mare is determined to be top dog. If the other horses really are hurting her, she will stay away from them. Just make sure that she doesn't get cornered.

Don't be too worried about it, unless they are getting aggressive enough to chase her through a fence or cause her injury in that way. Horses are meant to fight with each other and to be in large groups.

Answer 2

They need to be turned out across a fence for two weeks to a month before being put together.  They get to know each other that way.  Unless your mare is very submissive they will squabble a little when you put them together.