Horses are individuals, so what works with one flock might not be safe at all with another. I think you need to test your way.
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Personally, I would never dare to release a the "new guy on the block" in with the herd or even one single horse on the first day.
In my mind, the safest way - even if the other horses are as good as gold - is to let the newcomer get a chance to pick up the scent of the place, and all horses to acquaint themselves with each other with a sturdy fence between them for at least one day.
Then, depending on what kind, and what number, of horses I am dealing with, I might put the new one in either with the leader, an older gelding or a the member of the herd that usually takes care of the troublemakers.
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I do want to know if any horse is likely to kick badly or if the leader is jealous of his mares and might hunt a younger "competitor" half to death.
Fillies usually do OK with the boys, but other mares might try to kick them severely.

I agree with Kicki, I would not turn a new horse loose into a herd, it's not fair. I think Kicki's plan is sound. In your situation I guess your mare leads the herd so I would not choose her to be the one to move in with the filly as (a) she may become distressed at not being able to lead the others anymore (b) the geldings left behind will have to re-arrange themselves and (c) too competitive. I would take out one of the middle ranking geldings, put him in with the filly until they have bonded and then put them both back in with the herd :-)
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One tip: don't be tempted to "interfere" or "rescue" too soon. It can look very argy bargy and aggressive for the first 20 minutes or so but unless there is a major problem us interfering does not help and in fact can make it worse and is dangerous for us. Apologies if I'm stating the obvious but thought I'd mention it!

Thank you both for your feedback! Our mare does not lead the herd of four.The oldest gelding leads.
Perhaps it is our herd leader who should meet the new filly first.
Lovely to talk to other Monty Roberts' disciples! Anne

Hi! I felt to say maybe you should let your new filly get used to you and her stall first,then one of the geldings then maybe the mare,then she should be ok with the rest of the herd.I just think it would be a good idea to let her get settled first so she knows she has a safe place and gets to know her handler. Then the rest in due order. Its not neccesary to cause the filly or the others to much stress all at once. They do get stressed out as we do.We should be thinking of them at all times!Don't do any of this to fast either takes a week or two if need be,do a little at a time.You will do great I'm sure!!

Great advice everyone - you are thinking of your horse first. I put 'introduction to the herd" in the SEARCH bar and found this from Monty:
Jan 8.14 Moving your horse to a new place

1/8/2014: I have 5 horses, aged from 18 months to 9 years. Some I have had for many years, the youngest I have only owned a few short months. And most have never been any place else since arriving here. They live out in 2 groups at the moment as the youngster has some catching up to do food wise with the others, but I aim to have 1 herd in the coming months.

My question is this, how do you think I can help them transition easily into a new home. I am having to move house and will of course be taking them all with me, I want to ensure I help them adapt as calmly as possible?

They will of course all practice loading prior, are all already very familiar with dually and yours and Kelly’s methods of training. Other people who move horses advise to keep them stabled for a few days, but I strongly disagree because that would be very upsetting when they are used to living out and wonder what advice you might offer?

Here they live out 24/7 and are also fed out together. None are currently in work. At the new place they will also live out 24/7 but will have the advantage of direct access to a yard, and once settled will be on a paddock arabise type track system. Who do I move first? The older ones and leave the youngsters to follow? Or the youngsters first and let them get their bearings? Or before I move should I get older and youngsters familiar and move one of each at a time?

I cannot move all 5 together! And think if I did there may be mayhem as they all investigate, but, by introducing them separately am I just prolonging this? Also is there anything else you would advise? Any advantage in bring familiar things? My youngsters have some field toys? Would you have those in the new home before or do you think it’s irrelevant? I don’t want to blow their minds with over stimulation! I just worry and have to think every angle through before I make decisions but this is a new and once off task for me..

I am obviously aware horses move a lot, but for me this is a big worry because I live my life to ensure my animals are as safe and content as can be, this move will allow them live an even more natural life, in a confined 12 acres anyway, and I would like to minimalize stress as much as I can, they are settled here and we all trust each other, but most before coming here had troubled pasts and issues as a result of moving around through dealers yards as well as being stabled for long stints at a time, quite a few had ulcers when they came to me, including the youngest, and two have had laminitis in the past, so I need as stress free as possible for them?

The other idea I had was to bring my two mares who are both leaders, allow them to explore then return home, before we actually move permanently? This would be a bit of an ordeal as it’s 2.5 hours each way traveling but they have both done that journey before. Is that incremental moving? Hehehe…

Monty’s Answer: You have no idea how good it makes me feel to receive question after question where people are becoming far more aware of the needs of their horses. If you only knew what I went through as a child where my father would move truckloads of horses, put them in a field with wire fences and mix up groups with very little concern. I congratulate you for your sensitivity to the needs of your horses.

The advice that you have been given regarding the stabling aspect is not bad advice at all. One thing I should make clear however is that when stabling the freshly moved there should always be a small window between the boxes. This would insure each horse the ability to determine that they are with their friends. This allows them to settle in without the potential of injury while running in a new field.

Should you determine you will put them straight into the field, then I suggest that you first settle in to that field the more senior members, at least two at a time. It should only take a few hours until these older ones have cleared the security of the field and are ready to tell the younger ones what a wonderful place it is. Either of these methods should insure a successful transition.

Hi Anne
I'm called on to do herd integration and I find the following works everytime.
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Assuming the herd know you be the leader!
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On a dually I lead the newbie into the herd, but as the herd approaches they all get sent away and the newbie takes up it's position behind me for protection.
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I then stay with the newbie, leading them around the herd and field warning with a stern look if the others dare try and approach. Once the main leader of the herd starts to take an interest I stand on show ( really tall, proud, neck stretched) and parade the newbie next to me. Creating circles around the leader and herd, but keeping away from the main herd.
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Then leave the field with the newbie and put back in either a different field or stable.
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Day 2 similar again, but this time the newbie is allowed to leave my side on the lunge line. We just spend time grazing around for about an hour. I stand in between the newbie and herd. In Equus that is saying no to the others you cannot come yet.
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Day 3 same as day 2 except use a normal head collar and not the dually then depending on how the others are, I take the lead rope off, but keep close by the newbie. Amazing how horses know when a rope isn't attached, the herd will now approach to separate you from the newbie. Send them away and ensure that the newbie is standing behind you.
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Day 4 same as day 3, then when the main herd relax and graze, start to leave space for them to check each other out. Look at the lead horse and acknowledge you are handing over to them to care for the newbie. Do this by looking at the lead horse nod your head down and blink once as you nod down, then look at the newbie and nod down to the newbies feet, then back at the lead horse and blink once with the slightest nod of your head, hardly visible. There might be some running at this point, just stand your ground and let it happen. then catch your horse and return it to field or stable.
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Day 5 keeping a normal head collar on, take into field and go away from the herd and release the newbie. There'll still be some running and a bit of biting, but it's all normal, but it won't be as aggressive as if you just let the horse go on day one.
Lots of suggestions, you'll see we all do things slightly differently, but as long as you have the interests of the horse in sight, find one that you feel comfortable with.
Mel
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