Adding new horses

[Lindsay]

We currently have 2 TB mares and there is the possibility that we wil be adding new horses in the near future. How should we go about adding the new horse(s) in with our 2 current ones? Will our current horses be aggressive?
Would it be better to introduce then in the pasture? Any input would be helpful. Thanks :)

[Farm_Girl5]

I don't know much about adding them but I DO know Quarantine!!! Keep the newbie away from your other 2 before introducing as if the new one is sick.... you know the rest.
Cheers!
Kristy

[Ingrid W]

I'm no expert but my understanding of horse behavior is that the the two current horses will be buddies and gang up against a single new horse. Basically there will be a very uneven power balance and an odd number like three could be a recipe for didadter whereas adding two to the present two and if the first two gang up, the will be ganging up against the new two and it will be an even match saving anyone from being rejected or worse beaten up.
I hope this makes sense. Good luck and happy horse shopping!

[Lindsay]

Thank you for your advice, but would it be better to try to introduce the new horses (assuming that there are 2) in the pasture or what method should be used? I thought it would be best to introduce them in the pasture so that they would have room to escape, if you know what I mean.

[Medalia]

Well, something that has worked for us, is "over The Fence Greeting". You have to adjacent paddocks or whatever, and you let the horses see each other through the fence. There'll be some posturing, but the new horse(s) won't be chased relentlesly around the field by the others.

[Allie]

We've got a herd of about 25 horses at the ranch where I board, and when we added my horse to the herd, we just let her loose with the rest in the pasture, and she was fine. Just make sure that whatever pasture you put them in is large enough that the new horse can get away. Also, watch them when you first introduce the newbie, so that you can seperate them if needed.

if they are too aggressive, put then in adjacent pastures so they can smell and touch each other without hurting anyone.

If you still have problems, take the less dominant of your current horses and put it alone in a pasture with the newbie, so they can't see or touch the dominant one. Leave them together for a couple days, and they will bond at least a little bit, simply because there are no other options.

Allie