Companion for Teddy or try for a bit longer?

cblover

cblover

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I have a potential big problem arising with my foal Teddy. Until recently we had 3 horses, but the 3rd was a loan horse (Bounty) and has now gone back home. With the mud around this winter it was a good thing....or so I thought! Teddy always had a friend with him in the field when I rode Kinzzy and he was chilled. Even after Bounty left Teddy was still calm and in a very good routine but as the days have gone by, his attachment to kinzzy has increased and hates to be separated from her. Not an easy situation to deal with and ideally I don't want another horse but may need to consider it!

Teddy tried to jump out of his stable and follow kinzzy to the field....although he would of been following her in a minute if he'd just waited! Gave me a huge shock! Today I attempted to ride Kinzzy and Teddy totally cleared the stable door and grill this time to join us! Luckily I hadn't got far and turned round!

I put him back in the the top door shut (which I hate to do) and rode Kinzzy - he was fine when I returned but quite vocal when he heard us return! He's a big strong boy and this is not good for two reasons....one being its not a good habit I want him to learn and two...I hate to think what is happening to him mentally! So million dollar question is......do I persevere and shut the top door or look for a suitable companion? If I do get another, it must be small as the land will not support 3 big horses all year round! I have 3 acres, but the recent winters have been very wet!

Thanks for listening!
 
He definitely needs a companion and time will not sort out this problem. He is only a baby and feels terrified when alone. So I would look for a small pony that doesn't cost much to keep to keep him company. We never leave a horse in the yard or field alone here. Three horses is an ideal number to have as you never know if one of them has to go away to hospital or something.
 
I would get a third, I really don't like to leave one horse alone. We did find that our retired cob was fine if left with the pet sheep, although she was obviously worried if we were out for longer than usual.
 
You could have a small pony on loan from a charity, or even another young horse if you have the time for one, to act as a playmate. I think he's probably in need of a friend, he is only a baby after all:)
 
I would rather he learnt now that sometimes he may have to be in the stable on his own, rather than perpetuate for his lifetime that he must always have a pony companion. Can you get a full grill? Would be diong that asap to prevent injury!
Do it in increments like you might wean a foal. Ie. in stable. tie horse up outside. then take out of sight for a few minutes before returning. Ideally with Teddy being fed a feed/yummy food in stable at the time.
 
Thanks everyone, I really appreciate your opinions!

My concern is the long term damage I may be causing him and if his anxiety and self confidence will continue into his early year and hinder his learning process when I start to introduce news things in his education!
 
I have the same problem with my 29yr old and have a midi shetland otherwise he goes bonkers!
However, I'm wondering if by putting up a stable mirror so that your youngster could see another horsey! would this be useful before going down the next path of getting a companion. It would be useful to know if anyone else has done this.
 
My foal would stay alone all day long, he is just not bothered by anything. However, I would never leave him alone. I also wouldn't have him unless I had other babies to turn him out with. Sevens not really into playing hes far too sensible to get involved with that nonsense! This is probably due to him being turned out on 13 acres of mixed grazing, with a stream, undulating terrain, and 3 other youngsters. So he gets untold amount of exercise just grazing etc.

He spent 3months initially turned out with my mare due to the weather and circumstances, but I'm relived now hes out with the other babies.

I'm actually toying with the idea of offering youngstock livery, as ours are already looking a bit chubby as we have far too much keep for 4 horses. Could you not find something similar close to you?
 
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