Introducing a New Horse

Healthy horses?

Only allow healthy horses entry into your herd. Veterinarian check is advised.New window.

It goes without saying that before a new horse is introduced to the premises, all matters of health have been addressed, including a period of quarantine to make sure the new horse is in good health and won't be exposing the herd to disease.

An equine veterinarian pre-purchase exam is recommended practice to ensure that you are not introducing a health problem into your existing herd.

Three Steps for Successful Integration of the New Horse

By taking the time and making the effort to allow your horses to adjust to the newcomer, the chance of injury will be greatly reduced.

1. During the first few days, allow the horses to get used to each other across a safe fence and across the bars of the stall. Let the horses eat, drink, and exercise within sight of each other.  This allows the new horse to get used to the environment and the other horses to get used to having the new horse around.
2. After the first few days, put the new horse out to pasture with just one other horse. Provide plenty of hay in multiple piles and separate drinking buckets or troughs.
3. Once the new horse and the horse from the original herd are getting along well, add a third horse and so on, until the horses are all acquainted with the new horse. How long this will take is dependent on the temperament of the horses involved and your willingness to carefully assess what will work and what won't. The better you know your horses, the better you can foresee any problems and act accordingly.

One Note:  Since horses redefine their hierarchy any time the herd's membership changes, some turmoil is bound to occur, and some rough interaction may take place, especially when you leave the area. Fortunately, part of the horse's heritage includes a great deal of practice in gaining acceptance into the herd, both for protection and for social bonding.