so i got a colt a week ago and i have kept him in the stable just so he gets use to me and we create a bond. it will be 1 week tomorrow since i got him. and i am wanting to put him out in the field with the other horses, there are 11 other horses in all ranges of age and breed and gender. i own 1 horse and my mam has 2 shetlands that is in the field. i have introduced to my horse to the colt for a few hours and they seemed to get along. but today i went over to the field to check on them all and noticed the girl who owens the rest of the horses has just bought a foal today and put it in the field and it got chased around every were and this is what has made me change my mind about putting my colt in. Buuuuut on the other hand horses are horses so should i just put him in and get on with it??? i just don't want him to get hurt: (
thanks
no rude comments
If your colt is not yet gelded, keep him inside until he's recovered.
You should introduce them slowly over the fence. Ideally this keeps fighting down when they're introduced but they still need to sort out pecking order which will lead to squealing, chasing, kicking. There's nothing you can do to stop natural horse behavior when they 're with their own kind.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
First off, how old is he? If he's below the age of two it's going to better for him to be in a field with a baby sitter to learn some herd dynamics and hopefully someone who won't beat the crap out of him. If he's over two he should be able to fend for himself without getting hurt. It will sort itself out in a couple of days. Adding extra feed can be a good distraction while introducing a new horse.
Edit: He's not gelded I'm assuming if he's that young. He shouldn't be turned out into a field where there are mares because he could possibly impregnate mares, even at this age. Is there a smaller field that could be used for him and perhaps another gelding or two to keep him company for the time being?
After he's introduced it can take days or weeks for things to settle down, but the worst of it should be over within a couple of days, there will just be some residual bickering (and always will be) but not to the extent of it as before.
I have one calm horse who is not aggressive, and I usually put a new horse/foal in the field with him first. Once they have gotten along for a couple days I add the other horses and it gives the newbie a chance to mingle. They will still have to sort out the pecking order, but it does seem easier on the newcomer.
One week is not long to create a bond.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com I would think if you would like him in with others to try a corral other than a field with many others.
Try putting him with a very gentle horse at first then you can add/switch horses for him to be with.
You don't say how old he is and if he has been with other horses before. This can be a frightening experience for him especially if there is a very dominant horse in the group.
Try relating this to yourself when you started school or found a new group of friends. You just can't trust everyone and have to "feel" out the situation. It is the same for animals. There is always an Alpha who wants to be boss. Every horse has to find his place in the herd he is placed in.
With that said this is not so much for his social skill building as it is your responsibility to protect him from injury.
