Choosing and introducing a companion pony - advice please

[PonyEm]

Hello!

Since March I have been looking after a friend's 28 year old native mare. She is spunky but arthritic, and I don't ride her.

Our neighbours have horses, which she can see - but not reach - and she is at home with me, some chickens, some goats and my dogs but I know really she should have some equine company for herself.

I have a couple of acres and am about to move her to a winter paddock with access to a stable. I will be creating a track in her current larger paddock for next year and she will have sectional grazing off that when she goes back on. The paddock is on a slope and she has to work on the uphill. She occasionally kicks her heels but is mostly quite sedate.

In short, I have some space, but not enough useable space to introduce an incompatible pony. I know I would be looking for a similar age and type with similar feeding requirements (and I plan to rehome from a charity), but is a mare likely to be worse or better than a gelding? How to introduce them? Separate paddocks? After initial bickering, can I know that they will settle together or is it a bit of a lottery? She has had company before my time (a large, ex-police horse, gelding) but she wasn't always very nice to him, biting sometimes, I believe. Is that just normal horseplay?

I'm guessing with one stable (free access) for shelter now wouldn't be a good time to introduce a new horse and I haven't committed to anything but I'm a total novice here and want to understand all the considerations.

Any advice or experience you can share with me would be much appreciated!

Thank you

 

[doodle]

I think she will be delighted to have a buddy. I wouldn’t worry about a mare or a gelding as if it’s just the 2 of them there shouldn’t be an issue. To start with I would separate by a fence for a few days for the initial hellos. Then if all ok let them in together. Leave the stable door shut initially but then it should be ok.

 

[PonyEm]

I think she will be delighted to have a buddy. I wouldn’t worry about a mare or a gelding as if it’s just the 2 of them there shouldn’t be an issue. To start with I would separate by a fence for a few days for the initial hellos. Then if all ok let them in together. Leave the stable door shut initially but then it should be ok.

Thanks Doodle. I've never done this before. I'm desperate for her to have a friend, but she's a bit of a one! I'd hate for the friend to have a hard time of it!!

 

[Raz16]

A rescue centre like Blue cross will be able to match you up with a great companion, they are honest about the temperament and characteristics of their loan ponies which makes choosing the right one much easier. My mare is dominant and will resource guard food so I needed a companion that was lower down the herd order and wouldn't try to challenge her as that would ultimately end up with companion getting kick/ bite injuries. The pony they suggested is very submissive, never retaliates when bossed about and just knows when to leave my mare alone, they get on great and are often mutually grooming each other etc.

 

[PonyEm]

A rescue centre like Blue cross will be able to match you up with a great companion, they are honest about the temperament and characteristics of their loan ponies which makes choosing the right one much easier. My mare is dominant and will resource guard food so I needed a companion that was lower down the herd order and wouldn't try to challenge her as that would ultimately end up with companion getting kick/ bite injuries. The pony they suggested is very submissive, never retaliates when bossed about and just knows when to leave my mare alone, they get on great and are often mutually grooming each other etc.

That sounds perfect! Blue Cross is definitely on my radar. I've never seen my pony alongside another horse myself so I don't really know how she will be, although I imagine she will be dominant lol. I will drop them a line. Thank you.

 

[doodle]

Just be open with the rehoming center. As said, a submissive companion will not retaliate and so there will be no situation caused.

 

[Tarragon]

It is lovely that you are thinking ahead like this and making all the right decisions. How lovely for your old mare.

 

[Peglo]

My old mare is very anti social but she does want company. Just from afar. ? she is in by herself atm as my other oldie died this year and the rest are in fat club and she spends a bit of time looking at the rest over the fence. Come next week they will all get in together and she will likely be annoyed ?

lovely of you to want to get her a friend. I wouldn’t worry about a bit of pushing around. All of ours do it. They sort themselves out.

 

[SpotsandBays]

The blue cross are bursting at the seams with so many horses being handed in. I’d give them a call and just have a chat! I’m sure they would be able to advise/find something suitable.
And you’re right about the above, the horse needs to have similar requirements to yours in terms of management. Good luck in your search! I’m sure your pony will love having a new field friend

 

[Abacus]

I'm terribly sorry to bring this up but if the current pony is 28 you might want to think about what happens when you lose her, and whether you then need another companion or whether you will have to rehome the first companion. I almost don't want to press 'post' on this, but...

 

[doodle]

Pony may have another 10 years! (In that mine died at 38) There is no reason not to get her company just for that reason. Also if from a charity they will I imagine take pony back if needed (or provide the companion with a companion)

 

[Abacus]

Pony may have another 10 years! (In that mine died at 38) There is no reason not to get her company just for that reason. Also if from a charity they will I imagine take pony back if needed (or provide the companion with a companion)

Gosh, I wasn't suggesting for a moment not getting a companion.

 

[Orangehorse]

I have had to choose a new companion pony on 4 occasions for my horse that simply can't cope by himself.

You need a very easy pony, one that is good to catch - essential - and doesn't kick and isn't a "getter outer" so it will respect an electric fence. I think I would favour same sex. Chronic sweet itch would be a no, also awful feet - surprising how many "companion ponies" have terrible feet. No health problems to deal with or have to treat with medicines. Its different if you have had them for a long time and they are doing their job, but you don't want to have to start off with a lot of extra expense.

Things like susceptible to laminitis can be managed with electric fences.

I had a "rescue pony" once - never again. She was difficult to catch and nervous and I dreaded that they might escape because I knew that I would never, ever be able to get near her to catch her if they went awol. The one time it did happen, I happened to have a few men working here and I caught my horse and the men were able to herd her into a barn where I led my horse and trap her, but I had visions of her running round the whole farm for ever more.

 

[doodle]

Gosh, I wasn't suggesting for a moment not getting a companion.

Apologies if I took it the wrong way.

 

[Abacus]

Apologies if I took it the wrong way.

No offence taken . I was thinking more about whether it's possible to borrow a known companion that could be returned. Something like that.

 

[JackFrost]

That sounds perfect! Blue Cross is definitely on my radar. I've never seen my pony alongside another horse myself so I don't really know how she will be, although I imagine she will be dominant lol. I will drop them a line. Thank you.

Look at other charities too. You need one that will take the pony back quickly if it does not work out,- Blue X have a minimum 3 month notice period (and they were not flexible on this), though with most others it is one month. I had one of theirs but really they did not know the horse well and it turned out to be very food aggressive and bullying. I have found World Horse Welfare very good particulalry in their follow up visits after a horse has come to you.
I find the best companions are often older ex ridden horses, as these are used to being handled and co-operating with people.

 

[J&S]

I got an ex riding school pony, she just arrived, called to my mare and off they went! She is good because she was used to being with others, she follows mine in, has decent manners (a MUST!), is a good doer but not a laminitic type. Her feet are great and she is only shod on the front and to top it all you can ride her.

 

[PonyEm]

A rescue centre like Blue cross will be able to match you up with a great companion, they are honest about the temperament and characteristics of their loan ponies which makes choosing the right one much easier. My mare is dominant and will resource guard food so I needed a companion that was lower down the herd order and wouldn't try to challenge her as that would ultimately end up with companion getting kick/ bite injuries. The pony they suggested is very submissive, never retaliates when bossed about and just knows when to leave my mare alone, they get on great and are often mutually grooming each other etc.

That's what I want for her. Someone to nibble! Thank you!

 

[PonyEm]

I got an ex riding school pony, she just arrived, called to my mare and off they went! She is good because she was used to being with others, she follows mine in, has decent manners (a MUST!), is a good doer but not a laminitic type. Her feet are great and she is only shod on the front and to top it all you can ride her.

Sounds fab! This is what I hope for

 

[PonyEm]

My old mare is very anti social but she does want company. Just from afar. ? she is in by herself atm as my other oldie died this year and the rest are in fat club and she spends a bit of time looking at the rest over the fence. Come next week they will all get in together and she will likely be annoyed ?

lovely of you to want to get her a friend. I wouldn’t worry about a bit of pushing around. All of ours do it. They sort themselves out.

Yes! I can't be too middle class about it lol. I've watched my chickens do their pecking order for years and it's not always nice but they do figure it out. This is what I wanted to hear! Thank you!

 

[PonyEm]

Yes! I can't be too middle class about it lol. I've watched my chickens do their pecking order for years and it's not always nice but they do figure it out. This is what I wanted to hear! Thank you!

Look at other charities too. You need one that will take the pony back quickly if it does not work out,- Blue X have a minimum 3 month notice period (and they were not flexible on this), though with most others it is one month. I had one of theirs but really they did not know the horse well and it turned out to be very food aggressive and bullying. I have found World Horse Welfare very good particulalry in their follow up visits after a horse has come to you.
I find the best companions are often older ex ridden horses, as these are used to being handled and co-operating with people.

Ooh. That's very useful. Thank you!

 

[PonyEm]

I have had to choose a new companion pony on 4 occasions for my horse that simply can't cope by himself.

You need a very easy pony, one that is good to catch - essential - and doesn't kick and isn't a "getter outer" so it will respect an electric fence. I think I would favour same sex. Chronic sweet itch would be a no, also awful feet - surprising how many "companion ponies" have terrible feet. No health problems to deal with or have to treat with medicines. Its different if you have had them for a long time and they are doing their job, but you don't want to have to start off with a lot of extra expense.

Things like susceptible to laminitis can be managed with electric fences.

I had a "rescue pony" once - never again. She was difficult to catch and nervous and I dreaded that they might escape because I knew that I would never, ever be able to get near her to catch her if they went awol. The one time it did happen, I happened to have a few men working here and I caught my horse and the men were able to herd her into a barn where I led my horse and trap her, but I had visions of her running round the whole farm for ever more.

Good points. Thank you. Yes, I'm not very experienced with all this (had a super easy pony when I was a teen and now Gyp who so far hasn't presented any challenges other than managing her weight). I'm definitely hoping for an easy oldie to enjoy a bit of fuss

 

[PonyEm]

I'm terribly sorry to bring this up but if the current pony is 28 you might want to think about what happens when you lose her, and whether you then need another companion or whether you will have to rehome the first companion. I almost don't want to press 'post' on this, but...

It's a very valid point and I have some work to do persuading to OH before I act, anyway. I'm happy to keep oldies indefinitely. I can't ride out from here anyway so it's just for love and to give some needy animals a home! I'm a sucker for a rescue! But I think a loan scenario is definitely the best way to go for a number of reasons.

 

[PonyEm]

The blue cross are bursting at the seams with so many horses being handed in. I’d give them a call and just have a chat! I’m sure they would be able to advise/find something suitable.
And you’re right about the above, the horse needs to have similar requirements to yours in terms of management. Good luck in your search! I’m sure your pony will love having a new field friend

Thank you

 

[PonyEm]

It is lovely that you are thinking ahead like this and making all the right decisions. How lovely for your old mare.

Awww. Thank you for the encouragement!

 

[JackFrost]

And some more encouragement... I have had some **fantastic** ponies from the rescues, wonderful ridden ones and companions. They came for a while just to do a job, and stayed because they were unbeatable.
If you can say where you are in the country someone on here may have knowledge of your local rescue centres.

 

[PonyEm]

And some more encouragement... I have had some **fantastic** ponies from the rescues, wonderful ridden ones and companions. They came for a while just to do a job, and stayed because they were unbeatable.
If you can say where you are in the country someone on here may have knowledge of your local rescue centres.

Thanks Jack! I'm in Kent! Don't know if I can edit earlier post but if not I can start a new one. Much appreciated.

 

[pinkfluffy]

When my 36 yr old horse died last Christmas, he left his horse-wife of 25 years. She laid down, refused to eat and got an abscess. A panicked search and an appeal to our favourite vets at one visit - "Have you got a spare pony in your van we can have?" and a few hours later we had the name of a rescue centre and a tiny pony. I would ask your vet, they know everyone.
So we got him (and that's a story...) and I admit to googling "How to introduce your horse" but as our mare couldn't currently leave her stable, I just led the pony round the corner and her face! I've never seen an expression of such happiness. He was a bit unsure because she was 16hh and he's 11hh but after that she informed him she was in charge and he agreed. We got him from a local recue where they are on permanent loan and can go back but he's never going back. Ever. He has a personalised Christmas stocking.
He was very nervy but as I was grieving at the time I just hugged him like a tiny horse shaped teddy bear and burst into tears and now he's a pussycat that follows me around. I wouldn't ever, ever, ever be without him.
Sadly, our beautiful girl went to Heaven shortly after and I'm now looking for a companion for the companion.

 

[PonyEm]

When my 36 yr old horse died last Christmas, he left his horse-wife of 25 years. She laid down, refused to eat and got an abscess. A panicked search and an appeal to our favourite vets at one visit - "Have you got a spare pony in your van we can have?" and a few hours later we had the name of a rescue centre and a tiny pony. I would ask your vet, they know everyone.
So we got him (and that's a story...) and I admit to googling "How to introduce your horse" but as our mare couldn't currently leave her stable, I just led the pony round the corner and her face! I've never seen an expression of such happiness. He was a bit unsure because she was 16hh and he's 11hh but after that she informed him she was in charge and he agreed. We got him from a local recue where they are on permanent loan and can go back but he's never going back. Ever. He has a personalised Christmas stocking.
He was very nervy but as I was grieving at the time I just hugged him like a tiny horse shaped teddy bear and burst into tears and now he's a pussycat that follows me around. I wouldn't ever, ever, ever be without him.
Sadly, our beautiful girl went to Heaven shortly after and I'm now looking for a companion for the companion.

What a lovely story. You made me cry. It sounds as if he helped you both very much! So hard to lose animals but very rewarding to make them happy. Thank you for sharing (and good luck with your next companion) x