Companions

[MizElz]

If you had kept your horse alone - and I mean with no permanent equine company - for a substantial amount of time, and found that s/he is actually happier, more chilled out and more loving when alone than when kept with other horses or ponies, would you want to risk upsetting the status quo by introducing a companion pony - not a second horse, just an unrideable pony there simply to keep the horse company - just for the sake of it? Or would you be more inclined to leave things as they are?

 

[ThomasTank]

I have been in exactly the same predicament as you.....
The problem is, when you want to ride your horse and the companion goes loopy !!!!!!
Then you end up with a companion for your companion

 

[dufffy]

i would leave things as they are. my horse has been on his own for a year and a half since his companion died i had no money to get a new companion and no ones horses near by. now there are other horses across the road and he doesnt bother. i know i'll probably get shot down for saying leave it but i think if the horse is happy and geting enough company from yourself or human contact i dont see the point in bringing another horse in just for the sake of it.

 

[Tierra]

We're actually not allowed by law to keep horses alone here. So yea, have no choice tbh

I think its healthier for them to have companions really. They may indeed appear happy, but its my personal opinion that horses should not be kept along as, long term, its not psychologically healthy.

 

[Honeypots]

[ QUOTE ]
I have been in exactly the same predicament as you.....
The problem is, when you want to ride your horse and the companion goes loopy !!!!!!
Then you end up with a companion for your companion

[/ QUOTE ]

which is exactly what I have done

 

[ThomasTank]

Same here

 

[Cop-Pop]

When my mare had to be by herself I 'borrowed' some goats coz she's happy by herself but I worried she would be lonely

She would cuddle the goats to lull them into a false sense of security before stealing their food

 

[PurplePickle]

I have to agree and I would seriously think about keeping one, When my last horse went I had my companion on her own for weeks, she was the nicest she has ever been in her 13 years
I even started to drive her.
But now a new livery has come on(only two of us on the farm) and now shes attached to this mare shes a pain in the butt again. Only this afternoon she left me on my behind in the mud because she thought running off whilst having her headcollar put on was a good idea.
Im seriously considering a field rental where horses are near but not in with her.

 

[WoopsiiD]

I got my mare a couple of sheep to keep her company as she too was on her own due to her being a right little sod with horses. She was 1 13.2 arab/welsh and would chase folk around the field and take on the 17hh SJ's. She loved the sheep and as a benefit.....worms.......a sheep remove the dangerous parasites fom the pasture but do not get the same parasites as horses

 

[Luce1504]

I'd be careful that you don't end up in the same situation as me! Both me and my sister had a horse each, now 10 years later my sister has lost interest and I am now virtually unable to ride as I don't have a school and as the 2 mares have never been separated since we've owned them they won't hack out alone. My sisters mare is in my opinion too old to sell and I couldn't bring myself to sell her anyway so now I am now looking at having to get a 3rd horse in order to be able to have 1 horse to ride!!!

 

[Louby]

Ive thought about a copanion too but also thought about seperation problems, laminitus, etc. We have goats where I keep my horse but I didnt know if there horns would be a danger to my horse?

 

[YorksG]

Without our retired girl and her sheep (Sue!) I would not have been able to ride out while my sister was off riding with a broken leg as her horse would not be left on her own. The retired lady would stay in a stable with hay, but is much happier out in the field with Sue.

 

[BigBird146]

I think it totally depends on the horse, and if it seems happy enough then don't worry about it. I ride past several kept on their own who don't bother even coming over to my horse for a 'hello', but then there are a couple (not necessarily kept on their own either) who go nuts for a nose rub!! I have a companion pony for my warmblood as I wouldn't dare leave him on his own (think he'd be off over the wall to find the nearest one of his own if I did!) and it's worked out well as he's fine being left behind, and is a scruffy little native that doesn't need shoes, rugs or much extra food so is cheap to do (although he does come in at night with mine).

 

[Paigeous]

Hmm..when my mare is used to going out in the field on her own, she doesn't bother about it at all. But when she's been turned out with others she doesn't like being left after they've been brought in for more than 10 minutes.
However, the mare she's been turned out with recently has grown very attached to her..so every time we fetch them in, there is a lot of whinnying and stamping feet..and pooing unfortunately..my mare doesn't bother but her friend gets very stressed..including when back in her stable unless my mare is next door.
I think it depends on the character of the horse as to whether they're OK on their own. And also, the amount of time they will be spending with a companion. If it's practically all day, every day at least one of them becoming really attached is almost inevitable..then you have the above problem of needing a companion for your companion..eep..

 

[Magicmillbrook]

[ QUOTE ]
Same here

[/ QUOTE ]

Me three!