Company for new horse?

[Bert&Maud]

I recently put my horse out on loan, before starting to look for another. The girl who keeps her mare at livery with me (there's only room for 2 stabled horses) took her to a friends for a few weeks as she won't live on her own. I've now found a new horse, who I will hopefully collect on Friday after he's vetted (please???!!!). However, the livery has now decided that she will keep her mare with her friend for a few more weeks as she's got several weekends away, as well as a couple of weeks holiday booked, and her friend will look after the mare and exercise her. I work full time and struggle enough to keep my own horse, and can't possibly offer to take care of the mare as well, she's very high maintenance and not easy to handle, also I will have to rely on the help of my Mum, who is in her 70s and won't appreciate having to do anything with her! So, I've managed to find someone to lend me a shetland pony for a few weeks until the mare comes back, to keep my new chap company. Do you think I should try him on his own for a few days before introducing the pony if he seems distressed to be on his own, or get the pony straight away? He's coming from a dealers, I'm going to ring them tomorrow to see if they know if he's ever been kept on his own, but don't hold out much hope that they will be able to tell me. He's just 5. I want to help him to settle as well as possible.

 

[kerilli]

i think i'd get the shetland in first, but that's cos i'm a big softy and don't like horses being on their own. he may be fine without, lots of horses are.

 

[Nailed]

hum.. Ted lives on his own.. granted there are cows but to be honest, most horses dont get too stressed about this type of thing.
Lou x

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

I dunno...imo horses CAN get stressed about this sort of thing! and for your new horse it will be new everything. I'd defo get the Shettie asap.

 

[MagicMelon]

I also think horses do get stressed without company - it goes against everything! Id get the shetland first.

 

[Haniki]

I'd deffo get the shetland before your new horse arrives. Horses are herd animals and most prefer company. We had a horse jumped out her field because her companion was in a stable due to laminitis. She severed her deep digital flexor tendon (not sure how) and was patched up but only as a brood mare.

 

[Tiffany]

I agree with most other people. Everything will be new for him, he may not mind being on his own but it goes against their basic instinct so personally I'd get the Shetland even if it's in the field next door. Plus I'm a big softie and my horse does not like being on her own.

 

[ReefurG]

I'd definately get the Shetland first. Horses are natural herd animals after all, I would never keep a horse alone. In my opinion companionship is one of the main requirements of a horse, I'd rank it almost as important as food & water. If he is coming from a dealing yard he will be used to having other horses around so having a friend will help make it that bit easier for him to settle in his new home. (However I did used to own an IDxTB that was terrified of Shetland ponies!) Good luck with your new horse