My gf’s oldest (34) horse died last year. She found a new horse, which happens to be a mare. She arrived yesterday.
So, Jake (a gelding) and the mare are getting along famously. He has welcomed her to his barn and pastures. She has reciprocated by going into heat. Jake is happier than I’ve ever seen him.
So far they have not been out on pasture together. They are in adjacent stalls, and we’ve allowed them to graze in a nice meadow on lead ropes. She has not had access to grass in years, and is really enjoying it.
When I worked as an equine therapist, we had all our horses together in the same pasture- geldings and mares. As long as there’s a proper introduction period before turning them out free-range, there shouldn’t be a problem. We had one gelding who would sometimes try to mount the mares, but they thought his attempts were hilarious.
Has the gelding lived with mares before? Do you know if he tends to guard “his” mares or mount them?
It can go the other way, too. I have seen a mare in heat pester a clueless gelding relentlessly. By the time the gelding figured out what was going on, the mare was on her way out of heat. He tried to mount her anyway, she kicked him in the chest. He got stitches, she got a different turnout companion.
The weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow, so a short ride in the woods is a possibility.
ETA: Jake has only been with other geldings his entire life.
Indeed, I’ve only ridden/tended to geldings.
My gf is the horse person, and she has no mare experience.
We walked her down the lane to a four acre pasture and she grazed for a couple of hours. Jake whinnied to her every so often, but she was more interested in grass (I’ve been there, Jake). Now they are both back in the barn enjoying each other’s company.
If she’s not squealing at him, you’re probably good. It sounds like it’s going well. Just go slow introducing them. She’ll want to eat, he’ll be too interested in her and she’ll react, but they should work it out.
Mares get an undeservedly bad rap. Some of them are terrible, but most are fine.
I’ve been thinking about this situation as well. Go slow on the introduction, particularly while she’s in heat.
Can your girlfriend ride her, if she hasn’t already, without Jake around? That way, they’ll start to get to know each other before adding that extra element of the other horse.
Also, on the first trail ride with both of them, he’ll probably want to follow along right behind her. She might not be too keen on the idea. Until you know whether she’s a kicker or not, keep him back. It might be better if he leads, but he may want to turn around and see her. Side by side could work, if you’ve got room for it, just allow some room between them, in case she wants to enforce some space.
FWIW, I’ve had some great mares and I’ve had some pissy mares. My favorite horse was a mare. What made her interesting was more the fact that she was blind in one eye and less the fact that she was a mare.
I think you’ll be fine if you allow for some prudent boundaries and space and take it slow.
I pulled her rear shoes, just as an extreme precaution. She is really easy to work on, just loves any and all attention. She comes when you call her, like a dog. Jake will do that if I’m shaking some grain in a can.
We went for a several hour ride today. Jake was happy to lead, and she to follow. She is the most rocksteady horse I’ve ever ridden (due to saddle issues, I rode her). Her gait is sooo smooth; she’s a Tennessee Walker/Missouri Foxtrotter. At one point we were really moving through a peach orchard (a canter, I think), and although I was a bit nervous, the ride was smooth.
When we got home they were both pretty beat (and I can barely walk), so we turned them out to graze for a while. They’re incredibly content.
I’m so happy for my gf. She spent the past two years searching for the perfect horse. Looks like it was worth the effort.
GF told me this morning about how Gracie’s nipples and udder(?) need to be washed occasionally with warm water and a towel. I thought she was trying to pull one over on me, but she insisted that it’s true.
So, she demo’d this tonight. Gracie actually seemed to enjoy it. I’ve opted out of this portion of her care.
