Misfortunes like these can be prevented by learning some basic horse behavior. Proper introduction of a new horse to the herd begins before the horses ever see each other. According to Dr. R.D. Scoggins, equine Extension veterinarian at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana, you should ask questions about the previous behavior of any prospective addition to your stable. If possible, watch the horse in its normal environment and see how it acts around people and other horses. These precautions can help predict how smoothly the socialization process will occur.
Horses can do less damage to themselves between box stalls than between fences.
If you don't have access to stalls, you may want to consider building some. However, if fencing is the only alternative, choose electric wire or at least fencing that will not permit horses to kick or bite through or over it Dr. Scoggins also recommends introducing the new horse to one or two other horses at a time, rather than the whole herd at once. When you do turn the new horse out with the others, avoid feeding time. In addition, make sure all horses have had their back shoes removed, which lessens the damage of kicks. Try to do this initial turnout in a corral with rounded corners, so the new horse can't get trapped.