Giddy but worried! - New Mare introductions

[HorseLass]

Hi guys,

Well, I've bought myself a new mare - no dealers involved! Private sale & vetting went well.

My old-timer is back to his usual self again after a few days bute and I planned very carefully for new mare to be introduced to him. Sooooo.....

Old timer in seperate field. New mare arrives and seems to take to him straight away - him acting like a two year old over the fence!! New mare seems to be in season - actually standing for him, etc! Everything settled down though and they were grazing quietly pretty much next to each other. Wonderful, I thought the next day (she arrived on saturday morning), soon be time to try 'em together! Tried yesterday.......

She moved him round a little bit, but then they seemed to settle down grazing together. Then I think he must have got a bit too close and she kicked out at him. Maybe I panicked a bit (as she didn't actually connect) but I returned him to other field immediately. I'm worried that she'll harm him. I know they do need to establish an 'order', but he's had so many health problems if she kicks him he might never get up again, and I don't think he'd be able to escape if she chased him.

I know it's early days, and I'm going to try again tonight for a while (only while I'm there), but I'd love some advice on this one.

[teabiscuit]

your new mare may feel unsettled by the move and not show her true nature until she settles, sometimes a horse will seem to settle, then get a bit of confidence and lay the law down with field mates.

not every time though, so it is tricky to know what will happen.

i would stable them next to each other overnight if possible so they can get to know each other safely then turn out with me watching for about an hour in case i need to intervene.

if all seems calm i'd leave and check every hour or so and see how it goes.

good luck, hope all goes well

ETA if you have any doubts, keep them separate at night and see how they go on together during the day, for as long as it takes until you're sure the old guy can cope with her

[Sooty]

Hi YeOldehorselass (love the name :D ) Welcome to NR :)

How's it been going the last couple of days? I think ultimately you have to let them sort it out between them. Are they shod? If so it might be good for your peace of mind to have the backs removed at least for their first few weeks together. Quite often they don't connect very hard when they're 'sorting themselves out' but can sometimes misjudge if they're wearing shoes.