Introducing your horse to other horses

Horses are social creatures, so they need other horses to keep them company. Here's what to keep in mind to make sure your horse or pony gets enough social time. As well as, what to remember when you're introducing them to others they haven't met before.

Don't house them on their own

They shouldn't be kept alone in individual paddocks or pens.

Let them play outside with others

Give your horse as much time as possible in paddocks to interact freely with others. Isolated horses may get very stressed, which can lead to abnormal behaviour.

Understanding your horse's behaviour and body language.

Let them see their neighbours

Your stables should be designed with partitions that allow horses to see and interact with their neighbours. It should allow them to put their heads over stable doors.

Don't stable horses that don't get on well with each other next to each other or put them in the same paddock.

Keep them in the same groups

To minimise aggression, keep horses in the same groups each time they're let out into paddocks.

Introduce horses carefully

If you need to introduce new horses into a group, watch them carefully to make sure they're not the target of too much aggression from the others.

Unfamiliar horses may squeal at, threaten, bite or kick each other when first introduced.

Give them enough space

You should give your horse enough space to allow them to get away from others and avoid being cornered. Check the group for signs of injury more frequently than normal.