Herd Dynamics

[smartypant3]

Hi there,
I've just moved yards and am starting to introduce my 5 year old mare to the herd.  Ive owned her for 4 years and during this time she has either been turned out alone (with others around her) or with one other and she has been very settled and happy.  
Weve introduced her to the established mare of the herd who she got on great with, no squealing or kicking just sniffed and grazed.  Great.  We then introduced one of the dominant geldings who threatened her and the usual herd pecking ensured.  Him trying to keep his mare away from mine and after a while they settled and all was well.  The three went out yesterday the two mares out first and then the gelding - small squabbles nothing major a little running around later in the day as to be expected.  Today, my mare and the gelding went out first and they were fine, off down the field together (I think he's learning his place).  When the second mare went out, my girl wouldn't let the gelding near her.   She kept 'herding' her away from him not letting the mare settle.    The gelding stayed out of the way.  There was no kicking or biting it appeared to be just pure possessiveness. 'She's my friend now not yours'  in the human world. 

I've not witnessed this type of behaviour from a new herd member into an existing one before?  Is it normal?  Could it be because my girl has never learnt herd behaviour and sees the mare as her friend and has become possessive towards her? 

We were thinking of trying another gelding in with them tomorrow to see whether that helps at all. We're trying to do the right thing by introducing the herd slowly to her but don't want to upset any of them in the process if we can help it.  

I hope that makes sense.  Thoughts and advice gratefully received
x

[SarahW]

I think herd dynamics are partly called dynamics because they are just that. This sort of behaviour sounds pretty normal to me. They're just working out who they can move and who is their friend and their foe. Unless any of the horses are in real danger, I would let them get on with it. There is some way to go yet and the dynamics will change with hormone levels too. Mares are entire!

[nich]

Yes had similar with my new mare. We have just moved our mare and gelding to our new home this summer, they've been in a field alone for a month, obviously very attached now for security. Then we added a new mare, who was apparently mid pecking order in her old home, but was picked on as a grey mare as all the others were black. Dales. Anyway, Sylvan, the newbie, has taken over, is possessive of the gelding, who was dominant, and my poor Brio not only is pushed out but isn't allowed near her gelding! Sad because I thought I was getting a friend for Brio not a new lead mare. Oh well.