Choosing a companion help please

[WandaMare]

After a check-up and chat with my vet on Friday, I've made the sad decision not to put my older mare through another winter, she has cushings, arthritis and bad teeth which are all starting to reduce her quality of life and vet agrees. Very sad about losing her but I also have to think about my other mare, I just have the two of them at the moment.

She is a 15hh chestnut mare, 11 years old, stabled 12 hours by day or night to due to prevent lami (shes a good doer and our grass is rich dairy grazing). I hack her and do some small riding club events when I have time. The issue I've had with my current pair is that they get on most of the time really well, but occasionally they fight really badly, so when I'm away from home, they are in separate paddocks, but still stand together a lot of the time. I don't want to keep the younger one on her own when my older horse goes, but I would really like to find a companion for her who can be turned out with her all the time, without the risk of WW3. During her time with me I have only had mares, in her previous home she was turned out with an elderly gelding who she was fine with as far as I know. I don't know if its a mare thing with her, or if she just doesn't get on with the older horse i have now.

I've never had this issue before, my previous horses have all grazed together quite happily even if its taken a bit of time to settle them at the beginning which has been so much easier in terms of grazing management and also nicer for them. i would really like some advice about what type of companion would be best for her, mare or gelding, what age etc. The companion doesn't need to be ridden although a light hack would be ideal so I could ask friends to hack with me from time to time.

My younger mare is not a bolshy type at all, she's irish bred and has the personality of a cheeky pony. She's hardly ever nervous of anything but also not particularly dominant, I think maybe she just annoys the older one which is why they don't get on (older one is quite grumpy).

What type companion would be best for her, thanks for any advice.

 

[brighteyes]

How about a smaller thing from WHW? I think you could do a trial.

Also, and I am sure you probably know this, after a companion is PTS if at all possible, allow the remaining horse or pony to investigate their friend. It is impossible to overstate the importance of this in their understanding of the loss. They do it so wonderfully and without exception most tenderly. Afterwards there is no calling and stressing.

 

[EmmaC78]

How about a smaller thing from WHW?

I agree, something from WHW may be suitable. If you contact them they should be able to tell you if they have anything suitable. The Blue Cross may also have something.

 

[brighteyes]

I agree, something from WHW may be suitable. If you contact them they should be able to tell you if they have anything suitable. The Blue Cross may also have something.

BC have dozens on the Pony Club website!

I also forgot to say sorry about the oldie reaching her time.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I would get one that can be kept in the same routine.

So I would want a large pony/small horse that can cope with being grazed on ex-dairy grass for 12 hours a day. I would want a horse that currently lives with other mares. So gelding/mare wouldn't be an issue, but being isolated or on individual turnout would be. I would ideally get something younger than your current mare (unbacked would be a plus for me, but you might prefer an older backed horse) or at least not too much older.

There are many horses with issues that tug at my heart strings that are for sale at the moment, but with my sensible head on, I would want to buy something that is issue free (as far as possible).

Even better would be a horse that is happy to be left alone already. However this can be worked on, so I could definitely compromise on this. Again, you may decide differently.

Write a list of what you must have, what you would like and what you cannot have. This will help sort through the ads.

PS - get an arab.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I also forgot to say sorry about the oldie reaching her time.

This.

I'm so sorry that age has caught up with her.

 

[Marigold4]

I was in this situation a little while ago. I looked at the charities for a companion but they seemed to have either small ponies ( about 12.2) that would need different grazing requirements to my 15 hh mare or had health problems. Having spent the last year nursing an elderly horse through a variety of expensive health problems, I didn't fancy this again. I looked at the sort of horses people were practically giving away but these were all lame/in pain. In the end I bought an 8 year old broodmare who had also been used to nanny youngsters and she is doing the job perfectly. She is in good health so hoping to make up the money I spent buying her through lower vet bills.

 

[WandaMare]

Thanks for all your replies and ideas, its all helping build a picture of what I need to look for. I've looked at some of the charity websites and agree with you Marigold4 that many of them are either very small or some mention previous lami episodes, so my place would be risky. I have just emailed the nearest WHW & Blue Cross branches, maybe they have more than shown on the website, surprisingly not many listed. I hadn't thought of the Pony Club website so thanks for letting me know about that one.

A broodmare is definitely a thought, in fact my old girl was a brood mare when I bought her in 2007.

I'm off to have a browse through some more websites, thanks again for your replies

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I don't know where you are but this looks like a nice mare.

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...yword=filly&sectionId=3365&orderBy=mostRecent

 

[brighteyes]

Ooh yes, look at Philip Kirby Racing - they have ex racers for loan and they will all be super! Call them as they might have one that needs time off. Mine was one who took time off and never went back. he is on loan, but not from Philip's.

 

[WandaMare]

I don't know where you are but this looks like a nice mare.

https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/120075243/15hh-thoroughbred-mare.html?link=/search?keyword=filly&sectionId=3365&orderBy=mostRecent

She looks fab doesn't she, I would be very happy to find a mare like her. I'm south of Bristol, so quite a distance but not impossible. Will put her on my interested to find out more list, thank you. Her type might do better on my grazing than a native type too

 

[WandaMare]

Ooh yes, look at Philip Kirby Racing - they have ex racers for loan and they will all be super! Call them as they might have one that needs time off. Mine was one who took time off and never went back. he is on loan, but not from Philip's.

Will do thanks

 

[Marigold4]

Not sure I'd go for an ex-racehorse myself as a companion! I wouldn't fancy bringing one in on a windy dark night on my own. Too excitable and flighty. For me, a companion needs to be super sensible, respect fencing, have a strong sense of self preservation and minimal health issues. It gets a lovely life in return for being no trouble. Ex-racehorses seem to be walking vet bills.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

It depends on the horse. My youngstock 'nanny' was an ex-racehorse who was also an ex-broodmare and she was very level headed. I also competed RDA dressage with an ex-racehorse and he was fab. Both of those fitted your list of requirements with the added bonus that the second one could also be ridden by disabled (and non-disabled) riders.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Not sure I'd go for an ex-racehorse myself as a companion! I wouldn't fancy bringing one in on a windy dark night on my own. Too excitable and flighty. For me, a companion needs to be super sensible, respect fencing, have a strong sense of self preservation and minimal health issues. It gets a lovely life in return for being no trouble. Ex-racehorses seem to be walking vet bills.

I have brought 3 racehorses home from work. The first one cost me £200 vet fees outwith standard stuff in 8 years until I put him down due to a field injury that could not be saved (he was living out 24/7 on the side of a Scottish hill, tripped and stood on himself a bit too deep down into the pastern). The 2nd cost me £800 in vets fees outwith standard over 12 years, put him down as he seriously deteriorated in 24 hours (we assume accute liver failure). The 3rd has so far (touch wood!) Cost me nothing outside standard in 9 years and has never taken more than 2 days lame with a foot abcess which I dealt with myself. None of these 3 were flighty lunatics, I dragged them -ye s dragged! About with a rope round their necks. Even in the middle of storms in winter.

So no, not all racehorses are walking vets bills thank you very much! I find the molly coddled pampered ones cost more than ones expected to get on with life and love like native ponies.

OP it may be worth contacting your local racing yards. Most have older horses kicking about as companions that aren't really any major use to them but are yard pets so were reluctant to let them be rehomed. But if you plead your case you may just find a diamond in the rough. We have just loaned out a 17yo that has bummed around the yard for 6 years doing nothing but eat, sleep, fart, repeat but he was one of the bosses favourites. He has only gone 6 miles up the road to be a quiet hack.

Or there may be a stud that is retiring a broodmare from stud duties that they would loan/token payment to you. The worst that can happen is they say No they haven't got anything but you have lost nothing but a few moments of time by asking.

 

[ihatework]

The other place to look would be ex-polo. Tough little horses that would generally be used to being turfed out in decent grass for part of the year and rarely bat an eye at much

 

[WandaMare]

I have brought 3 racehorses home from work. The first one cost me £200 vet fees outwith standard stuff in 8 years until I put him down due to a field injury that could not be saved (he was living out 24/7 on the side of a Scottish hill, tripped and stood on himself a bit too deep down into the pastern). The 2nd cost me £800 in vets fees outwith standard over 12 years, put him down as he seriously deteriorated in 24 hours (we assume accute liver failure). The 3rd has so far (touch wood!) Cost me nothing outside standard in 9 years and has never taken more than 2 days lame with a foot abcess which I dealt with myself. None of these 3 were flighty lunatics, I dragged them -ye s dragged! About with a rope round their necks. Even in the middle of storms in winter.

So no, not all racehorses are walking vets bills thank you very much! I find the molly coddled pampered ones cost more than ones expected to get on with life and love like native ponies.

OP it may be worth contacting your local racing yards. Most have older horses kicking about as companions that aren't really any major use to them but are yard pets so were reluctant to let them be rehomed. But if you plead your case you may just find a diamond in the rough. We have just loaned out a 17yo that has bummed around the yard for 6 years doing nothing but eat, sleep, fart, repeat but he was one of the bosses favourites. He has only gone 6 miles up the road to be a quiet hack.

Or there may be a stud that is retiring a broodmare from stud duties that they would loan/token payment to you. The worst that can happen is they say No they haven't got anything but you have lost nothing but a few moments of time by asking.

I will thanks, I would consider a ex-racehorse as I've kept one here in the past (many years ago) and he was a lovely type and a very steady hack (better than any of my native types!). He was also very good at eating up our grass before the good doers moved fields which is always a bonus.

I've been browsing all the main websites this afternoon and its quite surprising how few horses and ponies there are for sale in my area, there are also a lot of Wanted ads, eek. I think my search is going to be a bit more tricky than I had anticipated so glad I've started early. If only that lovely broodmare that Meowy Catkin found was a bit nearer. Thanks for your help guys, I am going to have a busy few weeks horse hunting!

 

[ycbm]

She looks fab doesn't she, I would be very happy to find a mare like her. I'm south of Bristol, so quite a distance but not impossible. Will put her on my interested to find out more list, thank you. Her type might do better on my grazing than a native type too

I'd love to go and take a look at her for you if you want. You would be looking at a three hour journey each way to fetch her.
.

 

[daffy44]

The other place to look would be ex-polo. Tough little horses that would generally be used to being turfed out in decent grass for part of the year and rarely bat an eye at much

This, I have three ex polo ponies at the moment and they are so useful, easiest horses in the world to do anything and everything with, no problems being in or out any time of year, and such good steady companions.

 

[Polos Mum]

I would try a wider list of charities - Blue Cross, Bransby Horses, Redwings.

The beauty of something on lone from a charity is that it can go back if not suitable. It also free's up space for proper rescue cases.

This one looks particularly sweet - older - more sensible and not tiny

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/welfare/rehoming/horse/sundance/

 

[TheresaW]

I'd love to go and take a look at her for you if you want. You would be looking at a three hour journey each way to fetch her.
.

I’m off work at the moment, so I’d be happy to come with you.

 

[Annagain]

Sorry about your old mare. The one thing I'd say is get something with very similar needs to your mare. It makes managing them so much easier and they can keep each other company for longer. It's no good having one you need to feed up if it means having to separate the two of them because one needs to eat and the other needs to not eat or one needs to be stabled overnight and the other needs to be out as much as possible etc.

 

[WandaMare]

I'd love to go and take a look at her for you if you want. You would be looking at a three hour journey each way to fetch her.

.

I’m off work at the moment, so I’d be happy to come with you.

Thank you both for the offer, that's really kind of you. I will have a good think about it this week. Because I've only just started considering taking on a new one I keep chopping and changing in my head what to do! Part of me thinks paying for another one would be the answer because then I can be more specific with what I need, but then I also like the idea of offering a home to one of the charities' horses.

I had the back lady out to see the younger mare this morning and she was trying to persuade me to get another irish horse because we both love them, not the best reason lol. She also told me the market is really good for horses at the moment because people have been buying them rather than spend money on holidays, she has been working flat out with peoples' new purchases, so its possible I might need to travel further afield.

Thanks again and I will pm you both if I think she could be the right one

 

[WandaMare]

I would try a wider list of charities - Blue Cross, Bransby Horses, Redwings.

The beauty of something on lone from a charity is that it can go back if not suitable. It also free's up space for proper rescue cases.

This one looks particularly sweet - older - more sensible and not tiny

https://bransbyhorses.co.uk/welfare/rehoming/horse/sundance/

She looks adorable, I only have to look at that little face and I want to go and get her, luckily she's not just round the corner...

Thanks, I do like the idea of giving a home to a charity horse. I don't know if this one is only based in Lincolnshire but I will find out thank you.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Thank you both for the offer, that's really kind of you. I will have a good think about it this week. Because I've only just started considering taking on a new one I keep chopping and changing in my head what to do! Part of me thinks paying for another one would be the answer because then I can be more specific with what I need, but then I also like the idea of offering a home to one of the charities' horses.

I had the back lady out to see the younger mare this morning and she was trying to persuade me to get another irish horse because we both love them, not the best reason lol. She also told me the market is really good for horses at the moment because people have been buying them rather than spend money on holidays, she has been working flat out with peoples' new purchases, so its possible I might need to travel further afield.

Thanks again and I will pm you both if I think she could be the right one

Having just browsed Preloved mares in the Midlands (good knows why that came up as 'my current location') i saw a few former broodmares that might suit your needs at not out of the way prices. It struck me that maybe those ridiculous prices are beginning to come down a bit.

 

[HollyWoozle]

There is a charity called Polo Pastures who find home for ex-polo ponies. I don't think they have any on their site right now but just thought I'd mention it as could ask them.

 

[Polos Mum]

I don't know if this one is only based in Lincolnshire but I will find out thank you.

They are located in Lincolnshire but they re-home nationally (even one in Jersey I recall them mentioning). I removed a lovely companion from them for years, they were very nice to deal with and supportive when he got to the end of his days.
You have a home check which is pragmatic and sensible and then view - they also have loads not on the website so if you wanted something really specific they are worth speaking to.

 

[Becc]

Definitely worth looking at Bransby. They do rehome all over, not just locally. I’ve rehomed a Bransby horse and they’ve been excellent at keeping in touch without being overbearing. They’re a fantastic charity and their site near Lincoln is well worth a visit.