Companion suggestion needed - sheep / goat / shetland / Donkey ?

Passtheshampoo - I really don't want to buy another you are totally right but after posting on here about teaching her to be left on her own in field with no stables I got my head bitten off and some horror stories :(

I think I shall rope in a friend to watch her and start by taking the other 2 away for a few mins at a time and see what she does. I also wondered if I turned her out in an adjacent field whereby she can see others through hedge if she wants to but not in direct eye contact all the time it may foster some independence on her part.

I had it all sorted before she put in an unexpected appearance as NF was companion to my mare and happy to be left. Now madam is here ( BOGOF baby) and NF is a ridden pony I am having to think again! Youngsters hey who'd have 'em ;)
 
Don't be ruled by your youngster. I'm a responsible horse owner of 38yrs and wouldn't want to cause harm or injury to any horse of mine, but I do have to ride out alone and leave one behind. I've found they are more stressy in the stable whereas in the field they can have a bit of a whinny and a spin and then will settle down to eat. If I'm in view they tend to want to 'cling' to me. There is a mare in the field next door and I do think this helps mine so sounds like this may work for you. I wouldn't keep any horse on their own 24/7 but I don't think it causes any harm for a few hours at a time (if we go to a show or a long hack). Obviously start off wih a short separation then increase it as you've mentioned.
If your youngster is threatening to charge through fences/jump out then that's a different ball game. BUT it's usually just all noise. It will also benefit your youngster when its time to get out on their own in the big wide world.
ps I keep sheep and don't think they make any difference to how the left behind horse acts.
 
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