introducing 3rd horse

Question
Hi,,,

I'm a new horse owner after about 20 years away from them.  We were given a 20yr old navicular gray quarterhorse.  For the most part, pretty docile, loving horse but a bit bossy at times.  We adopted a 2 yr old Mustang gelding from the BLM who is halter broke and actually quite sweet.  Special & Joe have been together now for about a week and 1/2 and Special (18 yr old gelding) has taken to mothering Joe (Mustang).  I call it herding.  A week after we got Joe we brought a third horse home.  Tate, 16 yr old very nice gelding.  Was a stallion until he was 12 but doesn't display any agressive behavior. We've kept them separating during the get to know one another over the fence stage but what we've noticed is Special tries to keep Joe away from Tate.  Even to the point where he takes him to the very back of our 6 acre field.  We have 2 paddock areas, about 1/2 acre in size along with the large field.  We're going to make a third paddock area eventually but for now we have three separate areas.  Last nite we brought Tate out with the other two and there was a little scream and a small kick, then Special and Joe went off as far away as they could get from Tate.  Tate followed eventually, not getting too close and there was nothing else that happened however Special stands in between Joe and Tate even at a distance.  I want them all to be together and wondered if I should separate Special and Joe, rotating two horses out in our big field to break this tight bond Special seems to have with Joe.  Right now, if Joe is out of his sight he goes nuts.  Can you tell me what the best way is to break this two against one?  Or am I worrying for nothing.  Do I need to just let them all out in the big field together and let them work it out?   Help!!

Thank you!

Tammy Huizenga

Answer
Hi Tammy!

As much as humans want to interfere in the herd dynamics between horses, they simply cannot.  Not because it's wrong...but, because it's impossible.  Horses are hardwired through eons of evolution to think and act as a herd and they long ago came up with the rules.  We cannot stand there and admonish them for being "too rough" or "selfish" or "bad, bad, bad" because that's how WE think.

What to do?  Unless one of the horses is in true danger of getting hurt, leave them alone and let them work it out.  Picking a friend, separating them out from the herd and claiming them for one's own is not based on anything except dominance.  The act of establishing dominance can get ugly, what with the kicking and biting.  But, very few horses take it to the dangerous level.  I have heard stories of horses in knock down-drag out fights but, have never seen it personally.

Leave them to work it out but, watch them carefully in the first few minutes of putting them all together.  Those first few minutes are really when everything is decided....they rarely hang together for hours and then decide to hate on each other.

Lastly, if there is a bad fight between 2 of them, DO NOT attempt to get in there and separate them.  Have a longe whip on hand and use your loudest, meanest voice while cracking the whip at them to separate them.  If this does happen, then you will know who to keep separate.  And it would be best if you kept them separate as those issues will not go away over time.

Good luck and remember to always wear an ASTM/SEI approved helmet!

Solange