By: Aprylsnow
Introducing the Newbie to the Herd
Introducing new horses to the herd, other species and even people can be a traumatic experience for the horse and you, if something goes wrong. New horses that may seem healthy could still carry parasites or disease and should always be quarantined upon arrival, until you can be sure the horse is disease free.
For centuries in the wild, horses have managed to introduce themselves to a herd abruptly out of necessity. However, this does not always have a happy outcome. Introduction to the herd in the wild is different than in an enclosed pasture and is NOT recommended as way to introduce horses in a domestic environment. Severe trauma, injury and fatalities may occur from being chased cornered and ganged up on. Frightened horses have been known to run through wire, try to jump fences much to high for them, and be kicked very badly by established herd members. I do not think I need to mention the types of injuries these horses sustained.
Introduction should be gradual and closely monitored. Placing a new horse where it can see and smell the herd to start is helpful. Gradually placing the horses in neighboring pastures and then introducing the new horse to one other suitable herd horse for the first “in person” introduction is best. If you have a job for the horses to do this is another good way to get horses to work together and become acquainted. Work the horses in a round pen together and don't allow much time for horseplay. When the horses are focused on you they will be working together. When they seem to be working well together let them stand for a moment, when they start to horseplay work them together again. The new horse will gain a new horse friend who is an already established herd member. Once this has been established add another herd horse to the mix. Once some friendships have been established add a few more horses to the new horse and his first friends. This may take several weeks, but can save you many vet bills and promote the safety of the new horse and herd members.
Some tips on introduction
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Spread horses out to feed to prevent domineering horses from taking all the feed and to help prevent unneeded fighting.
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Only introduce young horses when they are strong enough to defend themselves from adults.
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Old or and injured horses should be carefully introduced or simply stay in a neighboring pasture for their safety.
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Sick horses should never be introduced to the herd as weakness is sensed by the herd members and the severe stress of introduction may further weaken the sick horse.
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Make sure you have adequate shelter as the less dominant horses will be pushed to the outside.
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Always introduce gradually.
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Monitor horses closely for behavioral changes.
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Make sure your veterinarian is aware that you are introducing to a herd.
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Always keep yourself out of harms way. Horses may not remember you are there in their pursuit of herd hierarchy.
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Be patient and always monitor progress before moving to the next step.
The introduction to other species of animals such as goats may take longer and can lend itself to more issues from frightened horses. A new species has a completely different and strange smell to a horse and he is likely to see this new creature as a predator. Introduce carefully and from a distance to prevent weakening of older or highly stressed horses. Don't underestimate the power of stress and how it can negatively affect a horse.
Dogs, another new species, or perhaps not new can also pose a different kind of problem. If you have a dog that is used to horses that is great, but the dog may not be safe around the new horse. If you do not know the past history of a horse introduce a dog slowly. My horse was attacked (his instinct of flight saved him from direct injury) and chased by unruly dogs during road training and never forgot them. Years later when he would see a stranger with a dog cross through lower the pasture he would make every effort to attack the dog and luckily never killed one. He turned out to be a good protector of the fields and later became accustomed to my own dogs, but he never cared for a strange one wandering through.
