A bit of a ponder re: companions.

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ForeverBroke_

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Not that its really applicable to me now but was having a ponder earlier about my horse (16hh 12yr old TBxID ) and in the Spring I am moving him to my house off of a livery yard where he is currently turned out with 3 other 16hh'ers.

Of course he will need a companion and the done thing around here seems to be shetlands.

But, would a bigger horse prefer the company of a bigger horse? Or would a Shettie do them just fine - if this makes sence?! My horse can be quite playful in the mornings and likes to have a little bit of a run around/rear with his friends!

Anyone with experience of this? Hopefully people understand my waffle/point!

Thanks in advance :)
 
That it is!

I think Darce probably would prefer someone to have a bit of a hoolie with, even if it was something 14-15hh.

It just gets to the point where I then think should I just get myself a second riding one, which opens up a whole new can of worms!

Oh lord.. :p
 
I think it depends on the horse. Theres a mare at our yard 17hh, she is in love with two 12hh ponies and is far happier in a field with those two then her bigger friends. To the point that she will break out to be with them if seperated from them.

Now my horse is different. I once turned him out with a shetland and even though he wasnt scared of it (I have heard of a lot of horses that are scared of them) he had no respect for him. He didnt want to talk to him, play with him etc. I also figured that it wasnt so easy for them to groom each other as the little shetland could only reach his chest. Obv though a bigger horse is more money to keep, etc. Would it be possible to find a livery? A youngster to make your next riding horse?
 
Fleabite said:
That it is!

I think Darce probably would prefer someone to have a bit of a hoolie with, even if it was something 14-15hh.

It just gets to the point where I then think should I just get myself a second riding one, which opens up a whole new can of worms!

Oh lord.. :p
Click to expand...

:p New forest? :D
 
Thanks bw24 - This is why I initially thought Shetland/smaller companion due to cost.

Have also thought of a youngster/project type but again that opened up a whole can of worms so haven't investigated it too much either yet :) Worth a thought though.

Thankfully Darce isn't scared of them and often talks to one on the farm over the fence but whether it'd be enough is another story!

MF - a newforest/dartmoor/connie type would be ideal! :D
 
Hellooo :p

When I had Henry, Ethel wasn't fussed at all about him being there, just ignored him and gave him a kick if he started being too clingy to her as he usually was. She's on her own now, and actually seems happier some days, for the first time I saw her having a good old gallop and bronc around the field, which she never did with Henry around. I think she prefers horses near on her own size (15.1hh) as when she was at work she used to go out with the other fillies around the same age as her. :)
 
littlies cost just as much as biguns do (if not more!)

my dinky dot sec A cost twice what my sweet riding mare does, extra eletric tape when they get out (Again) rugs cost twice as much for some god unknown reason & the vets bills for injuries caused getting out or once out!!!
 
I find ours liketo groom a horse of a similar size, but thats just being picky! One thing I would say is two horses are a nightmare! They can get really clingy, and stress when one goes out for a ride. I'd be tempted to have two companions - contact a rescue centre, theyr'e crying out for homes for the ones that can't be ridden. Companion ponies are a bit cheaper - they don't need shoes, so just a £10 trim, and I've never needed to put rugs on our section As - they fluff up wonderfully in winter! They obviously need still injections and general health care, plus third party insurance etc.
 
Blue Cross have lots of nice larger horses for companion homes and they even contribute to the cost for them - this paragraph is taken from their website:

"Non ridden companions are rehomed under the healthcare package, which is kindly sponsored by Fort Dodge Animal Health. This includes financial support for an annual veterinary check, dental examination and teeth rasp, annual flu/tetanus vaccination and the supply of their first years worming treatments in the form of Equest & Equest Pramox."

Good luck ...
 
I kept a TB mare a shetland together for years. The TB mare died and I got a new horse. She does not seem to find the shetland much of a companion.
 
the problem with shetlands and little ones is that they obviously dont need as much food so you might have to restrict little ones grazing which if that is no problem would probably work well as long as you have good electric fencing. I actually think that a bigger companion isnt that much more expensive - vet bills, farrier, etc are all much the same - its just the food / grazing aspect you need to think about.

My big lad never found my small welsh pony much of a companion but he adored my other mare.

Definitely think about fostering a rescue pony/ horse if its a companion you are after. Ask at local rescue places...
 
Why not look at a larger native pony, should be as easy to keep as a shetland but more your horse's size. You could get one that is sound enough to do a bit with too so it isn't just a field ornament.

I learnt to ride on my next door neighbour's companion pony to give him a job and help keep his weight in control!

You could probably find a little sharer to contribute to costs if you bought a new forest or fell or something rather than a shetland. Or you could take up in hand showing or driving......
 
Thanks guys, a lot to consider!

Have decided pretty much that when the time comes for the big move i'll get 2 'insertbreed' bigger companions from the local rescue home as I know they're busting and so that means no one is ever alone.

Cost wise it wont be a problem whatever happens along the lines.

I had a dream last night where I had 27 liveries here :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

This being the main thought provoker :p
 
Honey08 said:
I find ours liketo groom a horse of a similar size, but thats just being picky! One thing I would say is two horses are a nightmare! They can get really clingy, and stress when one goes out for a ride.
Click to expand...

It is lovely to see two similar horses become best of friends, but as Honey08 mentions they can get too clingy and then you have seperation anxeity which in itself can be distressing for both horses. I have a mini companion and everyone gets on well. They groom each other and have a bit of a play, but not so well that they stress out at leaving each other.
 
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