Background information
I purchased Fergie as an unbacked youngster. From the start her laid back, exceptionally kind and bright personality caught my attention. However, had I seen her mum first, I probably wouldn’t have given Fergie a look.
Fergie’s mum had full Irish connections and draft horse credentials. Her dad, Flammengold, had full Hanoverian breeding and an exceptional pedigree. Not what I wanted! I picked horses with more blood horse running through their veins.
This lovely youngster came my way by chance. Always looking locally for a new horse, before venturing further afield, I informed the local grapevine of my horsey plight . By chance a work colleague put me in the direction of Fergie and I looked no further. On that fateful fresh Autumn morning Fergie happily greeted me over the stable door with her kind and very bright personality. I saw a cheeky youngster with a veneer of naughtiness. We liked each other from the first, and that was that.
Fergie at 2 years and 6 months looking very babyish
After mutual approvals between horse and prospective buyer, Fergie and I were escorted to an impressive indoor schooling area. Now Fergie took it upon herself to show off and ran around loose to her own tune. I considered her rhythmical Hanoverian balance in all paces, but her cheeky expression is what I liked as much. Every now and then she would canter straight back to my side and stand there. Not looking for foal like reassurance from her dam, but instead just wanting cuddles for fun.
Fergie had a personality and the kindest disposition. I liked Fergie. Fergie’s spirit surfaced after a ridden horse caught her attention. Fergie reared up and cantered off to see her equine friend before cantering back to my side and executed another impressive rear. Later she displayed the same exuberance on the lunge. Yes, Fergie was a character and in due course I found her fondness for both rears and enormous bucks. She had youth and spirit.
1. Be prepared for the horses arrival at his new home
A few weeks late Fergie left the confines of home for the first time. New adventures lay ahead and a new world beckoned. Fergie my new 2 years and 6 month old baby arrived in my yard in her furry winter clothing. For an hour Fergie remained stabled. Her hay net positioned so she could eat and look at her new surroundings. My other horse Sabrina remained stabled and both horses could see each other.
2. Take things very slowly when introducing a horse to a new home as this will be a stressful time for all parties
After an hour Sabrina and Fergie were rugged. I turned Sabrina out in a field on her own, but where she would be able to see Fergie in the adjacent field. I made sure that although both horses could see each other there could be no contact over the fence. This prevented injury if the more dominant horse strikes out with a front leg or turns to strike with a rear leg.
3. Never turn a new horse out with other establishment horse until a pecking order has been established
Sitting with a thermos of tea, prepared by my lovely wife, I observed field events for the next hour. Sabrina stood at the fence and Fergie did likewise. Predictable rituals of squealing and striking out with the front leg were exhausted before they both settled to the important business of eating grass.
4. Always watch to see whether the horses settle but there will be some excitement
The next day I removed the temporary electric fence I had positioned to prevent the horses touching over the main fence. Sabrina acted with dominance and Fergie acted submissively. Contact over the fence occurred and then both parties settled to grazing.
5. When the horses are settled and consistently grazing quietly it is time to introduce them in the same field
Three days later Sabrina and Fergie were turned out in the same field. at the same time and with synchronised releases. Sabrina, who is more dominant chased Fergie. There were a few kick ups from both parties before they settled. I sat and watched for an hour to be sure all would be OK.
6. Expect some chasing around and a few kick-ups but they should settle quickly with herd pecking order established
Sabrina’s dominant personality clearly made her herd leader and that suited Fergie. Within days they happily grazed the same field with herd stability established.
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