How You Can Introduce a New Horse to the Herd

Horses are like humans: We have friend groups, and it's not easy to accept someone new into that circle. That's why it's helpful to know how you can introduce a new horse to the herd to prevent any problems from arising.

Keep It Casual

You don't want to throw your new horse into the herd immediately. Instead, gradually introduce the newbie to the herd. Think of the new horse as a person: entering a room full of people you don’t know can be an unpleasant experience. To prevent this, allow the new horse to gradually get comfortable with the rest of your horses.

Put the new horse in an adjacent paddock so they can watch the others in a stress-free environment. Letting the herd meet the newbie with a fence as a barrier keeps things safe and reduces the chances of a spooked, uncooperative horse.

Separate Them

Expose the new horse to one member of the group at a time. Keep repeating this method until all herd members get their "how do ya dos" with the rookie. Another idea you can try is starting your horses on a new diet. Changing a horse's diet can fix their attitude, or simply giving them a timeout away from the herd could calm their nerves. After introductions are in order, your horses should be able to play nicely together.

Get Some Extra Help

Confrontations may erupt when new horses join a herd. It's wise to have someone else assist you if a quarrel breaks out. Don't jeopardize your safety when trying to break up the fight. Instead, use a lunge line to separate the horses. Fights are the main reason why you should take things slow. You don't want to have an equine fight club on your hands. 

Keep a Watchful Eye

Although a herd may initially tolerate a new member, attitudes change. A herd’s pecking order shifts with the arrival of a new member, leading to conflicts within the herd. Keep tabs on each horse to see how they’re warming up to the newcomer. Don’t forget to give the newbie some love, too. Chances are they’re still adjusting to their new surroundings.

Learning how to introduce a new horse to the herd can limit your anxiety when bringing home a new horse. The last thing you want to deal with is a group of unhappy horses, so it's imperative to take things one step at a time.