Questions and opinions

[mamaflinter]

As I've said, we are busy fencing. We are trying desperately to get both fences done so that we can bring the other 3 horses home finally.

We thought about putting a horse with the foals to help teach them horse manners. I suggested Autumn Star since she's been by herself since November. She can hear the foals now from where she is. Do you think that putting a mare with them would be beneficial to them or not?

The other idea was to put the filly with them. She's a yearling now. I'm just uncertain which way to go with it. I think it would be good for them to have company but I don't want to risk their getting hurt by another horse.

I also realize that the gelding would probably be the last choice as these 2 foals are stud colts (still too young to geld).

I'd like to hear your thoughts and opinions. If you don't remember, the other 3 horses are a mare, her yearling filly and a gelding. Autumn Star is our first horse and before we got her, she was matriarch of a herd of miniature horses.

[JoeN]

Since they dont have a mom to protect them I would introduce them to the mare slowly under your supervision.The mare might take a liking to them but if they upset her she could put a hurtin on them.I have six horses running together they get along o.k. but I still find bite marks every so often.I once saw my dominate mare run 2 big dogs out of the field so now if I go down there after dark I take a light an talk loudy to them. Dont want to get stmpped for mistaken idenity.

[mamaflinter]

Joe Thanks for the advice. But I do have a question. Which mare would you suggest? The one that was matriarch of the minis or the other one?

Here are their names and ages

Autumn Star (18-20)

Shiloh (mare aged 7)

Bo (gelding aged 6)

Frisky 4 socks (filly aged 1-1/2)

Yes I understand about the mare being so much bigger being able to hurt them. I just thought it would be nice for them to have other horse company since all they've had since we've had them was each other. Or do you think it would be best to keep them seperated from the other 4 until they are yearlings so that they are better able to take care of themselves?

Yea good idea about talking loudly so you aren't mistakenly stomped or trampled by an angry mare.

What types of horses do you have? Are they all mares?

[JoeN]

I have 6 apps 4 mares and 2 geldings. My older mares tend to be more motherly and protective of the herd but they also boss the other 4 quit a bit. I think they do most of the bitting and kicking.I would bet that the filly you have is the least dominate of the group and would probably be easier to get her to be friendly with your fouls.I would still ease her into it. She might enjoy having 2 young ones that she can play with and play boss but she might not.I think I would put them together and see how they do.Under supervision.

[mamaflinter]

We'll have to see what everyone is like when we get them all over here. I do know the filly challenged her mother for dominance earlier in the year. Upset the small herd of 3 for a time.

Post pictures of your appy's. I just love to see them.