Companion pony

C

Charlie007

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 October 2009
Messages
2,393
Location
South Lincs
Visit site
Hi everyone, thanks for your replies to my post Home Alone. Now thinking seriously about getting companion pony but again need your advice. There may be a possibilty of loaning a small mare close to me.Unfortunately she has suffered with lammy in the past but otherwise everything i want. Very quiet, easy pony. Needs to be easy as OH brings in in winter and he is not very experienced. She would stay in field or stable whilst I hacked out, schooled or competed. Or do I go to sales and get cheap youngster and all the probs a youngster may or may not bring? I can easily section off bit for lammy pony so hoping lammy should not be a prob, but I could potentially make a bit of money on one from sales or it could go horribly wrong!! Companion would be for my 17.1 ?? Help!! Sorry its a bit long!!
 
What about something a more similar size but unable to be ridden due to age/conformation/whatever on loan from a charity? Some animals seem to prefer being with another who moves the same as them and obviously companion will be more companionabe if it can live in same field. You won't make any money but work will be less, they have usually had some basic handling & manners instilled and you'd be doing a 'good thing' too. If not in work probably won't cost much more to keep than a little one either.
 
I would think very carefully before taking on anything that has a history of laminitis without having enough experience. Lami is not always just a case of watching how much grass they have.(apologies if you are experienced in lami)
Do you have any rescue centre's near you? I'd be inclined to try to offer one of them a home if possible
smile.gif
 
Thanks for your replies! Over the years pretty much had experience of every type of ailment going! No expert tho!! OH says small pony or nothing!! Don't think there are any rescue centres near me??South Lincs?? Reason why was thinking this mare might be good is cus she is quiet and no trouble, very wary of getting myself a whole load of companion trouble! I work full time and horse takes up what spare time I have so pony really needs to be quiet etc, will have a look on rescue web sites to see what I would need to do to to qualify for pony!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
I work full time and horse takes up what spare time I have so pony really needs to be quiet etc,

[/ QUOTE ] I would try to avoid a laminitic if this is the case. Most laminitics need careful management, and if she has another bout you may have to box rest her and then slowly reintroduce turnout. I have had a laminitic pony and I can assure you that she was far more work than the other two big horses put together!

A lot of recurrent laminitics turn out to have Cushings syndrome, which means they are very prone to keep getting laminitis, despite careful management. Often sectioning off a small starvation area is not enough. My old pony had to have a maximum turnout of 4 hours a day in the end. Plus you have to be careful to keep them off frosted grass as this can be a trigger for laminitis too.
 
Yes I think you are right, will prop rethink!! Have been on rescue websites and most say they will only rehome in certain distance to them, non of which are near me!! Does anyone know of any websites that have cheap ponies? Doesn't matter if its a youngster, unridable etc. Have bought several ponies in past years from sales and all turned out great but for some reason this time i'm not keen???
frown.gif
 
Why don't you perservere with the idea of a loan pony - but just not a laminitic one. Why not ask your farrier and vet if they know of anyone looking for a companion home, put up ads in local tack shops, feed stores, vet surgeries etc?
 
Given that many many rescue centres are bursting at the seams, why not contact the ones closest to you, and I bet you ten to one they will have something suitable!
TGM is right, if your time is limited, a lami prone pony is not for you.

ETA In these times of hardship, most rescue centres will rehome "outside" thier catchment area if the home is right.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top