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msar-riders - Re: [MSAR] how do horses act with strange mares?

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  • From: "IRVIN LICHTENSTEIN" <ilichten1@verizon.net>
  • To: "'Mounted search and rescue'" <msar-riders@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [MSAR] how do horses act with strange mares?
  • Date: Mon, 19 Jun 2006 11:02:28 -0400

There are several conditions you must explore first. Do you really need a
broodmare and a foal? Do you have time to train the foal over the next three
years or so until it can be ridden? How long has your current pair been
together and what other horses have they interacted with? Do you have enough
stall and pasture space for 2 more, and most importantly can the new pair be
separated from the older pair if necessary?

Horses are herd animals and mares are usually very protective of nursing
foals, both as a mother and as part of the herd. Depending on breeding and
background of the mare she may not know how to care for her foal but should
be a quick learner.

The reaction of the other horses, your "herd", is not predictable. A pair of
Geldings might become very studly in the presence of a fertile mare, or not.
Other mares may become jealous (and therefore hostile) or may not want there
routine disturbed. Especially as humans tend to focus on foals and ignore
other members of the herd they may turn on the newcomers beyond the usual
pecking order hazing. There are several methods of introducing new horses
into a domestic herd and usually they involve fences and a lot of time,
letting the individuals see each other, and avoiding any threats to each
other.

Irv Lichtenstein





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