Turning out older gelding with colt/filly

Question
Hi Sandy - I am looking at moving my gelding (20 yr old, very quiet Appy) to a lovely private barn, great owner & pastures, and wonderful ring and rideout from property. It is a tough decision as my current barn is now on the market due to the couple separating :( I love it there but realize I need to find him a new home.

The new barn owner just rescued a colt & filly, 6 mos. old. They are absolute darlings - I met them. Quiet, one is more tentative. She has had them a little over a month I believe. They are handled daily, going through haltering, pick up their feet already, etc. If I move my horse here, he will share one of 3 large fields with them. The other two fields are for pasture rotation. Lovely grass, barn, run in shed and shade. She has plans to geld the colt. She is also getting an adult horse for herself to compete in dressage with. So in a few months, it would be my horse, the 2 babies and the other adult.

My horse has never had any issues with fieldmates except to say he is low man on totem pole, and at his old barn, he was out with 15 geldings which I felt was "stressful" for him. Had trouble getting to his hay (well, the had ONE round bale out for all 15 - horrible!). He is easy going, calm, stoic and on the surface seems like a retired old guy, but I do ride him 3-4 times a week (flatwork, lessons and hacking out) and he loves a good run and loves being worked.

For the last year, he has been turned out with 2 older geldings. One has a fused knee, the other a retired eventer also around age 20.

My question is, will he be okay and adjust to being out with the 2 "babies?" I would move him soon before winter, and before the babies get older. Most I have asked think he will probably be a good role model for them. He is completely non-spooky, "ho hum" about things and known as the steady eddy when I ride out with others. My main concerns are that he will be more stressed with them (probably being paranoid!) or that they will bother him. If they do I think he'll just walk away or pin his ears. That's about all he does.

Would love your opinions as this is really my only reservation about this barn. I currently don't have a ring, and this ring is lovely and right out back. The grass is better here and I can completely "see us" here.

Thanks so much, Linda

Answer
Hi Linda,

If your gelding is as calm and easy going as you say, I see no reason why he wouldn't be happy with the two younger foals.

I had an older gelding myself that would almost act as a baby sitter for the young foals.  They didn't seem to bother him one bit with their antics.

I think your older guy will be completely fine with the new "friends."