What is the best way to introduce a mare to my two geldings?

Question

I have two mini horses (geldings) occupying one pasture. I am acquiring another mini horse (a mare) and then two mini donkeys (jennets). What is the best way to introduce them to one another? Is it possible to bring one at a time in and introduce them in the same pasture or should we stick with introducing them from an adjoining pasture? The one gelding is definitely the dominating horse so will he try to dominate the new additions even though the newbies are mares?

Answer 1

I would just put them together or just every day let them get closer.

Answer 2

The best way to introduce any horses is over a gate.  They should be separated for at least two weeks in adjoining fields where they can reach each other over a gate.  I prefer a month when possible.  This technique prevents kicking through a fence and getting a leg hung up.  I tend to run an electric fence inside the permanent fence to discourage this activity in fields that they could otherwise reach each other over the fence.  That forces them to meet at the gate.

Edit

I prefer tube gates to those galvanized sheet metal type ones.  The sheet metal types sometimes break and cut the horse.  Tube gates have smooth round edges that are much safer.

Of course with your minis the likelihood of breaking a gate is much less.

Answer 3

It depends upon your dominate gelding.  My dominate horse gelding in over 6 years and LOTS of horses he's been introduced to, has only known ONE mare that didn't like him (He's been winning her over the past few months and now she calls to him!  Go figure!).  I'd use adjoining pastures for the moment and see what reactions you get, then turn them out together.

Answer 4

well put the females in the same corral as the mare but dont let them lose in their until you know what they wil do together

Answer 5

Introducing a new horse to a group is the same whether they are all the same s*x, or different.

1)  Put them besides each other with a safe fence inbetween.  They need to be able to see and sniff each other without any danger of injury if one hits the fence, or paws.  Give it a few days.  Your horses will tell you how long it takes, if one still charges aggressively at the fence in a day or two you'll need to give them a bit longer.  When you see them stand near each other, with bored expressions on their faces, then its time to go to the next step.

2)  Put one horse in with the new one.  Try to pick a less aggressive one.  Make certain they will be in a safe pen that the new horse is familiar with.  It should not have any corners where a horse can get cornered and injured, and it should be very visible.  Allow the two to be together for at least a day, until they act comfortable with each other.

3)  Then you can do one of two things.  You can then add the second horse to the group of two and see how it goes.  Or if you're really quite worried they'll start running or fighting, take out the first horse, and just add the second horse to the new horse's pen.  I personally would probably just put horse number 2 in with the pair and keep an eye on them for that day.

In my experience geldings have no hesitation dominating mares.  They don't normally treat them like ladies, but just the way they would treat any other horse in the group.  Some dominate horses are easy, they chase the lower ones but not too long or too hard.  Some can be alot tougher on other horses in the herd, and can really cause alot of damage.  So you're going to want to keep an eye on the group and be prepared to step in and seperate them if worse comes to worse.  If they act really bad I'd remove them, give them another day or two across the fence and then try again.  At some point they have to get along.

When you get your two donkey's you do exactly the same thing, putting one in with one new horse.  If you do it carefully often you can get by without any big problems.

Answer 6

It depends on your horses, you never know, one of your newbies may surprise you and take charge. If I were you, I would stick the new horses in an adjoining pasture for sure. Then when the horses {donkeys} get to know each other over the fence, I would get a couple helpers to stick one of the geldings in your barn, or hold him away from the other one. Next I would bring in one of the others so each of the newbies can meet your geldings one-on-one, and then the two geldings won't be able to turn on your mares and hurt them. Hope this helps you, and if you try it it works.

Roxxiluvagurl13

Answer 7

I'd introduce the ladies first...just put them together and see if it is going to work.  If it doesn't, you'll need a third area to isolate the mini while she gets to know the mules.  Meanwhile, they should be getting to know the geldings over the gate...I'd prolong this for at least a couple of weeks if possible.  Then I would put them all in together...the mini mare will have the donkeys for comfort while adjusting to the geldings, and the dominant gelding will have a lot to contend with if he stirs up much trouble.  You'll be able to observe them all and figure out if anybody isn't adjusting to the group, and go from there.