Im a beginner and am a proud first time horse owner...I am needing to learn almost everything..
But I have finally found myself a horse. Her name is Abbey. She is 18 years old (a very healthy 18) thoroughbred. I got her to learn to ride on.. So I will only be riding her lightly.
Should I put her in a shared paddock with around 9 other horses? Or put her in a private paddock? Is it better to learn one on one with my horse or is it just as easy learning with other horses around?
Answers:
I assume that your horse will be brought inside in the evening. One of the main concerns would be how easy or difficult your horse will be to "catch" when you are preparing to ride her. Some stables will keep the horse in on the days you want to ride, but horses really like to be outside with or around their buddies. If the horse is very hard to catch or if the other horses just hang around the gate, getting in the way, you would need assistance in catching her for awhile, as this can be challanging under those specific circumstances. If those things are not a problem, then horses do really like to be with other horses. The only other things that can happen are scuffs and scratches as the horses get used to each other. Some younger horses can play very hard, but of course, playing is what horses like to do when they are not simply grazing. They even play "halter tag" - not a joke, if they are wearing halters. A horse in a private paddock should really be adjacent to the other horses, as they can feel insecure by themselves. The herd instinct causes them to need the comany of other horses, even if just over the fence. We had our horse in a private paddock for awhile when the barn owners preferred this. He did his best to find a way to interact with the other horses next to him, even putting his hoof on the fencing, which worried me in that he could have gotten hurt if his leg went all the way through the fencing. He suffered a variety of cuts and scrapes once he was put into the owner's larger paddock with other horses, as they have to decide who is top horse, low horse on the totem pole, and all the inbetween, but it was worth it for our horse, because he was much happier. Ask the current owners what they think Abbey will like. Barn owners will have to keep an eye on the situation to see how the "getting used to each other" thing goes, but perhaps after the horses get to know Abbey in other barn situations, and maybe with her in a private paddock temporarily, she will do well with other friends. Additionally, using a private paddock temporarilly may serve to help you get used to catching her, and help her get used to you and your presence. This may make you feel a little more secure until you are ready to put her in the paddock with other horses for play and company.
Since this horse is for learning to ride, will you be taking lessons? Many people take lessons, even when they have ridden for quite some time, and lessons help you to get used to how to deal with the horse you have just purchased. If the barn you are planning on keeping Abbey at does not offer lessons, you may want to consider a barn where you can get that as an option, even if you do not use it right away. This will give you a good idea what to do with Abbey, what type of exercises to do with her, etc. Riding with other horses or alone will depend upon Abbey's temperment. Some horses are much more comfortable with other horses riding along in the same ring. Some horses find this distracting, especially with a beginner rider. I would think if Abbey is a "beginner" horse, that would not be too much of a concern once you are used to her, but in the mean time lessons 1x per week, at least for the first 2 or 3 months may be a good idea. Also, if you have not yet purchased the horse, you may ask whether the owners would let you do a 30 day trial, in the event you have any questions about whether the horse will work out, or not.
i have had a fair bit of experience with horse'es. mainly brumbies. i would put abbey in a private paddock or even with 1-2 other horse'es.(for company) make sure that the other horse'es are not stallions! happy Horsing Days :)
I would not just turn her lose in the paddock with the other horses I would keep an eye on her at first. Horses are herd instinct animals so they naturally want to be with other horses but they also have what is called a pecking order in the herd, and she would have to find her place in the herd.
You don't need to ride in the same pasture that she is kept in. When you are riding her you want her to only pay attention to you not to other horses.
good luck
You've made a very wise choice in a sound, older pro.
Horses are herd animals, they like to be around "friends." You should introduce her slowly, though, and with supervision. Can she be in an adjacent paddock by herself at first to let her get acquainted over the fence? If so, a couple of days like that, then introduce her to the herd on a day you can be there to observe for awhile.
You shouldn't ride her out in a paddock with other loose horses until you have some experience because you never know what THEY might do.
Having her in the paddock with others may also reveal some challenging traits...herd bound, buddy sour...where they don't want to leave their pasture mates.
If there is a continual turnover in the herd, like at a boarding facility with lots of comings and goings, I'd be very reluctant to leave her out with strange horses. A bully can come in and beat the daylights out of an older animal.
I'd turn her out by herself and let the other horse get use and the smell of her for a while. you can also walk her to where they can come sniff her . Yes there will be some running kicking and chasing till she finds her order in the herd as she is a new member she'll have to find her place. just watch them when you do turn her out with them.Hope everything goes well .Good luck
at first put her in the private paddock
then put her in the paddock with the other horses
make sure she knows the horses and gets a long with them bc you dont want your horse to get kicked or your horse kick another
i also dont like putting my mare out with geldings and
especially stallions.duh lol
i think your best thing would be to put your horse by her self for a couple weeks but put her where she can see the other horses and get to know them before you introduce them to her. i personally think just riding one on one wioth her until you are completly comfortable with her and start slowly having other people ride with you it is not always as easy to ride with other people until you have good confidence in your self
If you are a beginner you might be more comfortable with a private paddock, but your horse needs to be around the other horses, so if there is a way to do part-private and part-shared, that would be the best. Congratulations on your new horse!!
If you put her with other horses, you cannot keep track of how much she is getting to eat, the amount of water she is drinking, or if her bowels are working properly. Does that answer your question?
I am an EQS major with proficiencies in all disciplines of riding, teaching, and most breeds. If you would like any help or need any more advise, feel free to email me.
usually you keep them alone is a paddock by themselves for the first week then try to put them in with others
Horses are herd animals and should NEVER be kept alone. Horses need another animal, ideally another horse but other live stock will do also.
As for riding and learning I would do that in a private pasture.
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