Companions

[JBM]

I’m curious do companion horses have to be around the same size?
my mare is 16hh want a small companion but mutual grooming is probably difficult between a 16hh and a 12hh??

 

[SpotsandBays]

Mutual grooming shouldn’t be an issue for those heights. My 16.2 youngsters best play friend is a 13hh coblet! They groom and play etc.
Your companion however should have the same needs as your current horse though - it makes life easier. For example, avoid a good doer companion that needs restricted grazing, if your horse does not need restricting

 

[JBM]

Mutual grooming shouldn’t be an issue for those heights. My 16.2 youngsters best play friend is a 13hh coblet! They groom and play etc.
Your companion however should have the same needs as your current horse though - it makes life easier. For example, avoid a good doer companion that needs restricted grazing, if your horse does not need restricting

Thank you! That’s a good point

 

[Barton Bounty]

Any horse can be a companion, there are tons for free on various websites, I would look for a field sound one. ? or get something like 12hh above that is rideable, your quite a neat person, you could easily ride it ?

 

[JBM]

Any horse can be a companion, there are tons for free on various websites, I would look for a field sound one. ? or get something like 12hh above that is rideable, your quite a neat person, you could easily ride it ?

I don’t know if I could ride anymore horses ? so many free ones when you go looking!

 

[Red-1]

Get a friendly one. Rigs is a 'companion' but can't actually go out with the other as he is mean to them! I have had to have another all weather turnout area made.

 

[cauda equina]

As well as being friendly you need something that doesn't mind being left on its own

 

[stangs]

Get in contact with a local rescue and see which horse they think would suit your mare.

 

[meleeka]

My mini shetland is a brilliant companion, but my others are all good doers. If I had something that needed loads of grass it would be a challenge.

 

[JBM]

I’ve stated my mare is an asshole so need something more submissive
A lot of people offering their retired horses on long term loan as my mare 21 so was thinking similar age would be good
Trying to find something without white socks as Judy lives out 24/7 in all types of muck and never gets it
Applied to some rescues so we see if they get Back to me
Thanks guys

 

[Rowreach]

Just be careful the “free field sound” companion isn’t a massive vets bill on legs that someone else wants rid of.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I’ve stated my mare is an asshole so need something more submissive
A lot of people offering their retired horses on long term loan as my mare 21 so was thinking similar age would be good
Trying to find something without white socks as Judy lives out 24/7 in all types of muck and never gets it
Applied to some rescues so we see if they get Back to me
Thanks guys

There is a couple of sellers in co down, nice little mare mini shetland €400, she will get on well with something like that ?

 

[Cocorules]

I will go against the grain here. I have only had companions who are very slightly bigger than my ridden one. This has been a plus because they live out 365/24/7 which makes it much easier feed wise. Also my smallest pony hated little ponies with a passion she found them threatening somehow.

Also a similar age can be helpful, especially if you intend to keep your own into retirement as they can then stay as life long companions.

 

[HashRouge]

There is a couple of sellers in co down, nice little mare mini shetland €400, she will get on well with something like that ?

I wouldn't go for a mini Shetland. They can be escape artists if your field isn't set up for them, and some horses don't seem to accept them as "proper" horses. No knowing until it's there, by which time it's a bit late! You want something with similar turnout and dietary requirements. If Judy lives out, you want something that won't get horrendous mud rash and need bringing in regularly. If she is a good doer, your companion should be the same, ditto if she's a poor doer. Otherwise it is too hard trying to deal with feeding/ grazing. I have this now, as my once good doer Arabian is now nearly 30 and isn't such a good doer any more, meaning that keeping her and my Welsh together (as I have for 10 years) is getting a bit more challenging! I wouldn't be too worried about size, although if Judy is an "asshole" you don't want something that she is going to bully. My mare doesn't like other horses, but she is actually the less dominant in her pair and they get on really well, much better than she ever has with any other horses.

 

[Barton Bounty]

I wouldn't go for a mini Shetland. They can be escape artists if your field isn't set up for them, and some horses don't seem to accept them as "proper" horses. No knowing until it's there, by which time it's a bit late! You want something with similar turnout and dietary requirements. If Judy lives out, you want something that won't get horrendous mud rash and need bringing in regularly. If she is a good doer, your companion should be the same, ditto if she's a poor doer. Otherwise it is too hard trying to deal with feeding/ grazing. I have this now, as my once good doer Arabian is now nearly 30 and isn't such a good doer any more, meaning that keeping her and my Welsh together (as I have for 10 years) is getting a bit more challenging! I wouldn't be too worried about size, although if Judy is an "asshole" you don't want something that she is going to bully. My mare doesn't like other horses, but she is actually the less dominant in her pair and they get on really well, much better than she ever has with any other horses.

I know what her set up is, thats why I said it ?but I agree they can escape quick and easy lol

 

[scruffyponies]

Horses in mixed size herds don't always choose same-size friends. In my herd of 10 we have two 'bonded pairs'. They are happy to be separated for work, but are always int he field together. They are 15.1hh/12.3hh and 14hh/38" respectively.

 

[Flowerofthefen]

I need to start thinking about another companion for my ridden horse. My old retired lad is 28 this year. He is 17.1 wb so is doing really well but he is showing signs of his age. I will see what summer brings. In my mind I have sort of written an ad for a companion. I'd be looking for something around 14h. Gelding only, no greys, no heavy feathers due to very muddy fields. No lamanitics, EMS, cushings, PSSM etc. Must be good to handle on ground for leading and farrier etc. Won't ever be ridden. Must be ok left in field or stable though will probably never be totally alone. It will probably take me a while to find!!

 

[sportsmansB]

I needed a companion and ended up with a 25yo 12hh mare for my 17hh ISH. Its actually great because he accepts her as horse company (he would never survive alone) but she is not one bit interested in messing around and playing and wrecking stuff, which he would do if his company was a bad influence!. She also eats a lot less grass than a larger friend. I just checked that she has no history of laminitis which would have made it hard for me, and then introduced them in the truck on the way to the field. She wouldn't care if he went away, though he won't.

 

[Miss_Millie]

Following with interest, as I will be looking for a companion in the future. Presumably a similar sized horse to the ridden horse will cost more to feed, than a shetland or little 12 hander. But I've always wondered about mutual grooming too. I am also wondering if two companions would be better than one

 

[sportsmansB]

If my horse was still ridden, I'd have 2 companions or one who was very happy to be left (my wee mare honestly doesn't care)
Shes confident enough to show him her two back feet if she thinks hes out of line, but otherwise makes herself basically invisible.
She also looks like a tiny version of him, which is very cute lol

 

[JBM]

I wouldn't go for a mini Shetland. They can be escape artists if your field isn't set up for them, and some horses don't seem to accept them as "proper" horses. No knowing until it's there, by which time it's a bit late! You want something with similar turnout and dietary requirements. If Judy lives out, you want something that won't get horrendous mud rash and need bringing in regularly. If she is a good doer, your companion should be the same, ditto if she's a poor doer. Otherwise it is too hard trying to deal with feeding/ grazing. I have this now, as my once good doer Arabian is now nearly 30 and isn't such a good doer any more, meaning that keeping her and my Welsh together (as I have for 10 years) is getting a bit more challenging! I wouldn't be too worried about size, although if Judy is an "asshole" you don't want something that she is going to bully. My mare doesn't like other horses, but she is actually the less dominant in her pair and they get on really well, much better than she ever has with any other horses.

This is all good advice thank you
Judy is an asshole in the way that she is a good herd leader and perfect once herd ranks are established but I know for a fact she is not going to back down to any other horse so getting another horse who liked to be in charge would end up with bite and kicking matches ??‍ but she won’t bully a horse only an asshole when being challenged otherwise is cuddly!