I plan to start turning my horses out two by two. They are currently turned out alone, and are quite quiet, but they are upper level horses, and I’m scared! I want them to have a better life. Any tips on how to do this with minimal chance of mayhem?
Do they get to share a fenceline now?
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Good for you for making this step!
The biggest thing is finding horses who are compatible to life together outside. Might want to add a third too so there isn’t any herd boundness if you take one out.
Make sure there’s enough hay for everyone and lots of room to move around, they’ll be fine!
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The safest way is to do it without hind shoes. Make sure they share a fence line first, preferably for at least a couple of weeks so they can meet over the fence line and then just go for it. Very few times do horses who share a fence line have an all out war the first time you put them together but definitely expect some posturing and some squealing and kicking.
I actually don’t put hay out the first time that I put them out together in case there is any food aggression. They do however, have at least some grass to nibble on. I introduce horses in a 2-3 acre field so they have plenty of space to get away from each other.
I’ll second @Jealoushe in saying that having more than 2 is helpful when you take one out to ride. I actually like groups of 4-5 if your fields are large enough. That way you can take 2 or 3 to a show, trail ride, etc, and there are still a few at home with buddies. I also find that with larger numbers, buddy pairs seem to move around and there’s less attachment to one particular horse.
Thank you for giving them herd turnout!!
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As a small farm owner groups of 3 are the easiest in preventing herd bound issues. Two together is all kinds of suck.
I’d put fly sheets and boots on in case any biting or shenanigans. Make sure they shared a fence line prior with no issues. If you can remove hind shoes that’s even better. I won’t do group turnout with hind shoes.
I put out 5-6 piles of yummy hay but to each their own. Leave halters on the first 1-2 times in case you have to grab a trouble maker.
If really worried a little ace to take the edge off never hurts for the first group turnout.
Chances are they will sniff and run a couple laps, then settle just fine.
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This is a great idea, and I’ll add that I stand by with a longe whip in case things get too crazy. It’s enough to startle them to move away if they’re really going at each other, then you can grab one if you need to.
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Thanks for your suggestions! I’m not transitioning to the horses living outside. And with the large pasture, and good grass I have, I won’t need hay. They will go out together, and come in together, so I’m not worried about being herd bound. I am worried about the hind shoes, which need to stay on. I will give them a little ace to start with.
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Good on you for putting your horse’s needs first. Kudos. 
Mine are not UL dressage horses, but my competition horses live outside together and are infinitely happier for it. One does have hind shoes. I’m mindful of introductions with him but thankfully, he is very much a “speak softly, carry big stick” leader. Group turnout with hind shoes can be managed - just keep resources spread out far enough they never have to fight over them (if you throw hay, sounds like you may not need to). Also, not sure of your area but if you put studs or boriums on in the winter, keep that horse solo. Boriums kill horses.
Have them share a fenceline first. Hand-graze them together until they are ho-hum about one another.
There will be theatrics in the beginning. Keep an eye on them, but also remember that galloping, bucking, squealing, and snorting is totally normal horse language in introductory periods. There may be bites and scrapes. It’s normal to take time to sort out hierachy.
Keep their halters on and find a fat, long lead rope - I keep the 8ft nylon ones around for this exact purpose. If things get too physical, you will need to swing it around to break their attention from one another and send them packing enough you can catch one safely.
I’ve gone in to pull horses apart when both parties start double barrel kicking at one another for more than 10-20s by a fence line, or one is being clearly overwhelmed (chased ruthlessly) and cannot get away. Otherwise, they’re left to sort it out themselves. YMMV.
As owners responsible for their vet bills, it can be hard to watch when things get a little exciting - but we also have to remember they are horses, and physical language is how they communicate.
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Certainly if they are being turned out at night together this will be less of an issue, but depending on where you live, if you put them out together during the day certain times of the year, then I imagine at one point a horse will need to go to be ridden or maybe we will go to a horse show or clinic. I don’t know your setup so not trying to be too prescriptive but just trying to explain all of the possibilities. 
Also, I absolutely have horses that are fine alone and I have one that I have taken all other horses off the property to trail ride and she has stayed home with the neighbor horses across the fence line and been totally fine. Really depends on the horse and how settled they are.
Lots of forage and as much time as possible. I think they are way dumber on two hours of turnout than 8 hours. When it’s extra brisk I know some people who time it so that there’s a good active ride or productive lunging session before they go out to encourage them to chow down on hay rather than kick up their heels.
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I have no opinion on this, but I’ve heard people caution that fields of three tend to be a bad dynamic with more jealousy and resource guarding than pairs. I would LOVE a field of three, so if you guys have a different experience, please share.
One thing to keep in mind is the footing. If it has been raining and the footing is slick or greasy wait for it to dry out.
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Interestingly, I’ve had more issues with 3’s than I have 2’s and 4’s. Just my experience and I don’t know if that’s worth anything.
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How was the 4’s? Maybe I just need a bigger herd than 3. 
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Any excuse to buy another horse 
I feel like turnout and grouping is so horse dependent. Then you have other variables like space, forage, and other resources.
One thing is to keep a routine so they are used a horse leaving and coming back. My problem is that, even with 5 (only 2 are mine), when they aren’t in consistent work they can get more herd bound. My TWH doesn’t care, I can leave her alone for months get on and ride, but the other horses will be upset.
With my OTTB, even at 17 I’m very careful if she’s had too much time off, she will have a meltdown if I take her too far by herself. When she’s in regular work I usually don’t have a problem, and in company she’s usually fine.
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I have two fields of three
Three mares in one, two mares and a gelding in the other. Three is by far my favourite dynamic. My horses all get along and never ever have fights or any drama. Two of them wear hind shoes.
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I have been putting dressage horses out with others for years but make sure it’s with others that get along. I try different combo’s and can pretty much tell who will not work out with who.
I have worked at, boarded at, and owned barns that I have done everything from singles up to herds of 20. The really big herds can get a little crazy when you try to introduce a new horse. That used to be my favorite dynamic but it really is hard when you have horses that are not used to being in herds, some of them get really beat up or shut down. I really like anything from 3 to 6 or 7. That gives you enough horses that you can take a few away and it’s no big deal and they don’t necessarily have one favorite buddy, even though that is definitely a thing that can happen. Three is fine, I have not experienced more of an issue with three than I have with four or five. My only complaint about three is that if I need to take two together so one has a buddy to go on a trail ride or whatever then I am leaving one alone. If you never take two horses together anywhere then three would be fine. But if you have a friend or relative that would like to trail ride with you or you just have a young horse that needs a buddy when hauling out, three can be an issue. Definitely an excuse to buy a fourth horse!
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That sounds like a solid reason to buy a horse. LOL
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