Integrating a new horse into a herd of horses
As the owner and manager of a natural and free horse pension, I encounter many questions about integrating the new horses in the herd!
The truth is that this is a very important issue, no one would want the new horse to hurt, and certainly not do any harm to the other horses already in the pension …
So the truth is I have a method.
It is quite similar to incorporating a new fish into the aquarium and it goes like this:
The first step would be to put the horse in the horse area, but a field – for example, in the stable. The advantage is that on the one hand he and the other horses can come close and get to know each other, but on the other hand no one can really hurt during the process. Usually I will keep the horse in the stable for two days. During this time he will receive food, water and exposure to the herd. Of course I will also release the horse during these two days – just not with the herd, but still separately.
At this point I leave the horse in the fence that is in the pasture. In its setting, it is separated from the herd by a power strip only. He has food, he has shelter, he has water. So he and the other horses continue to get excited about the idea of having a new horse, smelling each other and even starting to form friendships at this point. I have miniature horses – they go under the power strip and usually they already stay with the new horse and host a company. The horse will be in such a setting for about 2-5 days, depending on the herd’s behavior. I’m actually waiting for the herd to be indifferent to the new horse. Only then do I move on to the next level.
At this point I release the new horse with the herd, under supervision only, for 3-4 hours, of course on a case by case basis. I make sure before there are enough hay stands, enough water stands, enough shelter and of course enough space – so the new horse can escape in cases where the herd attacks him (and that happens!). To be sure – I try that the new horse as well as the horses in the herd – will be without hooves. This is how I minimize damage. At this point, what usually happens is that some horses will receive the new horse – especially the old and young ones in the herd. The problem will usually be with the alpha horse and its bodyguards ….. so I monitor closely. Usually after 3-4 hours the situation will be like this – the new horse will stay away from the herd and stand with its head down, while this herd will be as a separate group from the horse. Any approaching of the horse will create a situation in which one or more of the horses will chase it and keep it away from the herd. So, as mentioned after 3-4 hours, I will proactively separate the new horse from the herd to the Phase 2 fence so that I know he has time to eat, drink and grow, while at the same time the herd continues to get used to his presence. Step three will continue, according to the behavior of the new horse and herd, for about 2-3 days.
Full mixing. At this point I let the new horse be with the herd, without separation and without breaks. Usually – the new one will still have to keep himself, but can already eat with the herd, take shelter with the herd and in fact he is already part of the herd – only that he is in the hierarchy, currently, in the lowest place.
so, to sum up-
You need to know how to incorporate a new horse into the herd, to minimize injuries and damage to all parties involved.
Another thing, it is important to do this gradually and carefully.
It is very important to have enough space, of course free of iron and other things that endanger the miracle horse for life …
It is very important that there are several food stands far enough away from each other for the newcomer to eat without quarreling!
The same thing about water – it is very important to have a number of drinking positions, it is important to show them to the new horse and make sure it does drink.
It is important, if possible, that there be enough sheds so that the new can enjoy them as well.
And so a few personal words to sum up …
As a girl who moved to a new kindergarten at age 4, and to a new second-grade school, I have experienced boycotts several times … it is never easy to be accepted into an existing, functioning group. The newcomer will always find himself in a difficult position while mingling in the new herd.
It hurts, it’s frustrating, but there are ways to make it easier to merge the new herd …
Among children – could be the educator who helps to merge the new child in the classroom …
In this herd my job and I take it very responsibly and sensitively. My heart is with the new horse and I am doing everything to help him fit into the herd in a relaxed and safe manner. Each horse has its own rhythm, there are horses that will acclimatize within 3 days and there will be ones that will take them a week. In any case, in the end, the merger takes place and the new horse becomes one with the herd and hence he continues to enjoy his life as an active horse living as a social animal, just as in nature. Even horses that were considered aggressive when staying in stables for years and years, turned out to be very social horses as soon as they realized their place in the herd!
