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University Suggestion Box

Integration into the herd

Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed

Hi,

I moved my horse from one bording to the other because I wanted to have my horse in a herd and not be anymore alone even having all super facilities in the old one.
i didn't find any advice or lesson about how to integrate a horse in a herd or horse society! So far the fouls are living together with their moms is ok but after that living alone for some years, now at age of six I think it must be done carefully to avoid fights and injuries!
have anybody experience with that? A lesson about this coming from Mr. Roberts will be welcome!

JoHewittVINTA
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Hi. It is probably best to introduce a new horse progressively. Letting the established herd get to know them over a fence - usually for 2 to 7 days. This allows time for the hierarchy to establish itself & avoids much of the, usually playful, excitement of a new member in the group. However, horses & ponies have their own ideas on these things so, in my experience, there will always be a period of settling in. It's much like your child's first day at a new school - you can't protect them entirely from any strong characters who feel it necessary to make their presence felt. It's one of the challenges in life, to fit in somewhere strange. Hope your horse has good friends to roam with now. Cheers, Jo.

Milenco
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Hi Jo,

thanks a lot for the advices and encouraging words! I think this time is harder for me then for him! I brought him over like just taken out from the box! Without any scratches or other kind of small "damages" and I am so tensioned only thinking that I could get some bites or hits from other horses. As I know him he is a leading guy and willing to take the leadership in the herd even he is totally unexperienced and quite young (6 years old). Another topic making me curiosly is the fact that we were a perfect team until now and I am just thinking that he could now change his behaviour to me!
Have you an ideea how long could it be until the "negotiations" with the other horses are closed or is it different from horse to horse?

vicci - UK (North Wales)
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Ian Vandeberghe teaches on his course that to introduce a new horse to a herd you take a 'middle ranking' horse and put him in with your new one; let them get to know each other for about a week or so but keep an eye on them to make sure they get on, if not, change the horse - if they get on well put them both into the herd - that way yours has a known buddy and it can make the transition smoother. He may change his behaviour to you at first while he is evaluating things but if he trusts you as his safe place then you have a strong foundation - don't worry, he'll still be with you.

Milenco
Hello! 100 lessons completed 150 lessons completed 200 lessons completed 250 lessons completed 300 lessons completed 350 lessons completed 400 lessons completed 450 lessons completed 500 lessons completed

Thank you Vicci,

that is a wonderfull idea! Never tought on this to start with only one horse! Due to the fact that I have no experience with that I trust fully in the owner of the new boarding!
I am just now in California in holiday and I was for three days on Monty Roberts ranch for that special event called "Night of Inspiration" I had the chance to speak personally this topic with Mr. Roberts and he said to me that there will be for sure some changes in his behaviour to me after his integration in the herd. But I have to start again to built up the trust between us if the things are going into the wrong direction. I am interested to see his development in the herd in the next couple of weeks!

Thanks a lot for your advices!