If anyone out there has had experience introducing a mare successfully into a group of geldings, I would very much appreciate knowing how you did it.
I have a friend's mare coming to retire with me at the end of the month, and am anxious to ensure it goes smoothly without loss of limb or life. The three geldings run as a mini-herd because I've set up the barn so all four doors open up into a blue-stone area and from there to the fields. The stalls double up as their run-in sheds, and the three fields interlink so they can come in any time when they want.
This system has been working brilliantly, and I need the new mare to fit into it for her stay to be possible.
Obviously I have to work up to her being allowed in with all three boys. But I'd be interested to know if anyone else has done this before and if so, how.
Thanks to anyone who answers this post!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Horses in winter
This weather is a real downer, isn't it? I'm in Maryland, and we've had tons of rain, which then turned into snow over the weekend.
I was supposed to go to a tack sale as a vendor on Sunday, and had cleared out an embarrassing number of bridle parts, stirrup irons, spare reins, interesting bits, and two saddles I never use. I was cleaning the lot as I watched the snow flakes come down, gently at first, then more violently until the 'there won't be any accumulation' forecast turned out to be a bald-faced lie!
My first concern as always, was the horses. Would they mind the snow? Luckily we'd been warned it might come, so I'd brought them in that afternoon out of the rain to dry off under light stable blankets while munching hay.
I then winterized the barn: filling up and plugging in each electric water bucket and performing ditto on the outside water trough. I put blankets on the now dry horses and opened up the stalls so they could go outside if they so chose.
They responded by galloping to the far side of their huge field and not bothering to come in until the next morning when they saw me poke my head out of the house to admire the winter wonderland. So much for being concerned about the weather!
It never ceases to amaze me how hardy horses are, and how little bothered by adverse weather as long as they have access to shelter. My guys now have full winter coats, too, so when it's dry I take the blankets off. They stay out all night regardless of how cold it is: the hay I carefully place in their stalls, in case they want to come in, is untouched.
I need reminding every year that horses do not want to be as snug and warm as we think they do!
I was supposed to go to a tack sale as a vendor on Sunday, and had cleared out an embarrassing number of bridle parts, stirrup irons, spare reins, interesting bits, and two saddles I never use. I was cleaning the lot as I watched the snow flakes come down, gently at first, then more violently until the 'there won't be any accumulation' forecast turned out to be a bald-faced lie!
My first concern as always, was the horses. Would they mind the snow? Luckily we'd been warned it might come, so I'd brought them in that afternoon out of the rain to dry off under light stable blankets while munching hay.
I then winterized the barn: filling up and plugging in each electric water bucket and performing ditto on the outside water trough. I put blankets on the now dry horses and opened up the stalls so they could go outside if they so chose.
They responded by galloping to the far side of their huge field and not bothering to come in until the next morning when they saw me poke my head out of the house to admire the winter wonderland. So much for being concerned about the weather!
It never ceases to amaze me how hardy horses are, and how little bothered by adverse weather as long as they have access to shelter. My guys now have full winter coats, too, so when it's dry I take the blankets off. They stay out all night regardless of how cold it is: the hay I carefully place in their stalls, in case they want to come in, is untouched.
I need reminding every year that horses do not want to be as snug and warm as we think they do!
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