Am I mad taking on a second pony?

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HaffiesRock

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So long and short is, my pony has moved to a much bigger field. It is currently split into 3 paddocks 1/2 acre and 2, 1 acre and all can be opened up/rested etc. He has friends on all sides but I cannot help but want to get him a companion.

I have a niece who is almost 4 and pony mad and a couple of friends with pony loving children so instantly thought a nice little lead rein pony would fit the bill and be useful.

Had a quick look on preloved and have seen a couple, but also saw a gorgeous 13.3 cob which I could ride. Now friend with horsey little boy is looking for a loan in the spring for herself as her horse was sadly put to sleep in the summer. We are both small and light so 13.3hh is no problem for hacking.

All sounds perfect in my head, whether it be a kids pony or something I could ride too! I have a sharer 3 days a week to exercise my pony in the winter (shes a student so can come when its light!) she also poo picks etc and is a god send. It would mean I could hack with her at the weekends too, her on the new pony.

So the problem will be my OH. I have put together a spreadsheet of additional costs to show him it wont cost that much more and time wont be an issue either. I pay monthly for the whole field so no additional livery costs. I always buy too much hay and feed in the winter to stock pile so additional hay/feed costs will be minimal if at all. I would ensure a live out/hardy type that's barefoot so only a trim at £20 when required, dentist at £35 every 6 months etc. Also Vaccinations would only be the cost of the jab as call out I pay anyway for my boy. Insurance for vet fees is about £20 a month. I already have a savings account for emergencies so again that is covered. Wormers/egg counts are not expensive.

Ideally id look for a loan pony so if all else fails it could go home. We have a couple of cub saddles at the yard so would only need a little bridle if it didn't come with tack.

I have plenty of time to care for them both and my sharer (who is tiny) has offered to help exercise the smaller pony until spring when the kids would start riding.

So my question is, am I being mad and living in a dream world? Does it really cost a lot more to keep 2?
What have I missed out while looking through my rose tinted spectacles?

Chocolate hobnobs if you got this far!
 
My companion pony doesn't cost a lot more but if you are going to pay out additional money on another pony then having one big enough for you to ride would make more sense. The biggest issue with my companion pony is keeping the weight off so soundness is the most important requirement and size so the options for people to share/help out are greater.
You seem to have enough willing helpers/contributors and you will get the benefit of help with your horse and a hacking companion so a bigger pony does seem like the most suitable option. A lead pony is more difficult to keep fit and will be more time consuming as you will need to supervise all it's exercise. It may also need restricted grazing and not be as much as a companion as you require. From experience, sound companions with a similar feed/grazing requirement as your existing horse work best.
 
If you decide to getvanother, do look at rehoming charities, there are some lovely ponies who get outgrown and move on to the next approved home. Advantage is that if your circumstances change you know the pony will be found another approved home and you are not left with two.

Not all the ponies are on their sites, so it is well worth a telephone call and conversation.
 
Adopter said:
If you decide to getvanother, do look at rehoming charities, there are some lovely ponies who get outgrown and move on to the next approved home. Advantage is that if your circumstances change you know the pony will be found another approved home and you are not left with two.

Not all the ponies are on their sites, so it is well worth a telephone call and conversation.
Click to expand...

I did think that Adopter. I will have a look now x
 
I dont think your crazy, but you forgot a few things which you may/may not need with this companion. Shoes - my pony is a cob must he MUST have shoes on at all times, feed, medication & rugs maybe. Not sure if your near Blue Cross Burford or Rolleston but there are some *Lovely* little ponies and horses on there :D
 
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CobbyHoofs said:
I dont think your crazy, but you forgot a few things which you may/may not need with this companion. Shoes - my pony is a cob must he MUST have shoes on at all times, feed, medication & rugs maybe. Not sure if your near Blue Cross Burford or Rolleston but there are some *Lovely* little ponies and horses on there :D
Click to expand...

I specifically want something barefoot that can live out all winter with my boy. I wont take anything on with any on going medical conditions and I have enough hay and fiber based feeds to sink a ship!
 
Sensible head would say just carry on the way you are over the winter and re-thing in the the spring. That said my friend at the stables has just rescued a super appaloosa 5/6 month colt, he was dumped with a number of other ponies and taken in by a rescue. When she said she was going to have him i was a bit doubtful - but she lost her old boy of many years earlier this year and even though she has a very nice Arab mare (getting on a bit in years) I think she needed something to fill the emptyness left by her old boy.
Well this foal is cracking, very soft, very laid back and after 6 weeks is looking so much better than when he arrived, and is destined to be something special.
So go with what you want and good luck.
 
Ooh, just had to stick my beak in! This is exactly what we did. Bought a companion that the kids would also be able to ride when the mood takes them. He was advertised as 12hh something but I think he's actually closer to 13hh & built like a brick outhouse - once we got him home I realised I could ride him too, as long as I leave my self-respect at home! He's a bit of a monster, but great fun. And best thing is he really doesn't cost me that much more than having just the one!!

We did try loaning but it didn't work out & I couldn't bear the upset of losing another one so we took the plunge & bought. However, I'm guessing that rehoming from a charity would give you the flexibility without all the potential hassle you can get when loaning...

So yes, go for it! Tell your OH it really won't cost a lot more - we've only paid for jabs & trimming every couple of months as he's a fat beast & doesn't really need a lot of extra food :) Although if you're a compulsive shopper like me you'll have to restrain yourself from buying pint-sized tack & accessories that he really doesn't need otherwise he will indeed end up costing you a fortune..!

D. x
 
It's a slippery slope... We're now up to 11.

However, if all are out 24/7, barefoot, good doers and winter out without rugs, it needn't be that costly.
 
If you are thinking that your friends can ride him/her too then I would possibly ask for a small contribution towards the cost of his/her keep. That was it's a little more official.
As to to costs it sounds like you have thought about it and I would go for it!
 
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