cows v solo

[Olliepoppy]

Hi my 6 year old cob has an acre section of a large 16 acre field to himself. The remainder of the field has a small herd of beef cattle in it, approx 16 cows. I have been turning him out with the cows for a couple of days at a time to provide him with company, more room and to generally give him the chance to be a proper horse. I am finding that the more time he spends with them the harder he is to catch and the pushier he can be. He seems to be boss of the herd as he moves them around the field. I am torn between keeping him in his field on his own and having him being more sociable or still giving him the chance to be in a herd at the risk of some behaviour/attitude change. The cow's will be leaving in Nov. Does anyone have any thoughts on my dilemma? Thanks

 

[PorkChop]

From what you have said, if it were me I would keep him in his sectioned area. If he's going to be a bit cheeky to catch, I for one would not want to be trying to correct that behaviour in a field of cows!

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I'd go for option 3, get a horse/pony companion and work on his training.

 

[Olliepoppy]

I don't have the option at the moment of giving him a pony for a companion due mainly to finance. I managed to get him back to his field tonight as he'll follow a tub of carrots but there was no way he would let me put a head collar on him which I haven't had a problem with before

 

[Pingypo]

If they leave in Nov and he has got used to being in a heard with the cows he might be very lonely when they leave is the only problem with him being with them. Otherwise cows can be great to keep horses with and I think that if he is used to being on his own, he may be just enjoying himself a bit much at the minute which will probably soon ware off. Just make sure his experiences when you catch him are extra specially nice and try just hanging around him in the field for a while so he knows that you aren't always going to catch him. As for him being pushy I think it's probably because he is getting into the way of being boss in the herd and just frogetting that there is a difference from the herd and you. Just work on this and he should soon distinguish the difference again!! If he gets attatched to the idea of being in a herd because it is natural for him, then when the cows go I think you should consider a companion of some sort.

Hope this helps!! Good luck!!

 

[catroo]

Agree with Faracat, he needs company of his own kind. If you can't/don't want to have two then move him to a livery yard.

Imagine how horrid solitary confinement is, that's what your putting him through.

 

[Olliepoppy]

Thanks pingypo. I am worried he will get too attached which is why he doesn't get out with them every day but now I'm not sure if I should let him out at all as he seems to be loving being with them and unfortunately they have to go. I have spent time in the field with him without catching him and always try to make being caught a good experience with carrots and rubs etc. I'm just not sure what to do for the best. Leave him with them all the time, keep him in his own bit all the time or do half and half. I will probably look into some way of getting a companion come Nov though

 

[Pingypo]

Seeing as they are beside him, at least he has company near by but for the sake of him being in a bigger field, having bit more fun etc, I would let him in with the cows full time and just keep working with him. Then if you are considering a companion (wise idea) it won't matter if he gets attached to the idea of company. What about a donkey? They are good for keeping horses chilled and should be relatively easy to keep.

 

[Olliepoppy]

I thought about a donkey but have read they get uber attached to their buddies so wasn't sure if that would work or not. When I put him back in his section he has a wee paddy of a canter down the field then seems to settle. I got a text from my oh today to say he was lying down Under his tree so that's a good sign! Am thinking of maybe getting a head collar suitable for turning out -he only has a dually at the moment - so catching him doesn't become a fight. I don't have time to chase him round 16 acres lol.

 

[Pingypo]

Probably right! Shetland then! lol

 

[Jenny Wrenny]

My 5 year old mare is also turned out with cattle - 6 heifers and 1 bull in a 9 acre field. She is boss of the herd and they tend to follow her grazing round the field. Although she has never been a problem to catch, she is turned out in a leather headcollar so I can get hold of her quickly if needs be. She will occasionally walk over to me in the field but I know that if I took a bucket of feed, she would be over to me like a shot - probably the cattle would follow too! She does, however spend several hours in her stable during the day time after exercise, mainly to prevent her from getting fat and to give her some respite from the flies. When the cattle come indoors for the winter, she will then be in the field on her own during the day, although she will be able to see the cattle in their crew yard from her stable when she comes in for the night. She really does love the cattle bless her, sometimes when I turn her out she will canter over to them and other times she does not bother and gets her head down to graze. If she does the latter, it is not many minutes until the cattle come to her!

I think that horses ideally need company of some sort whether that be other horses or other livestock, after all they are herd animals and need to socialize. Perhaps allowing your cob to have some time with the cattle and time in his own little bit of field each day so he doesn't get too attached would strike a happy medium.

Also, I make a point of approaching my mare when she is grazing to just give her a pat or a piece of apple etc. This way, she doesn't always associate me going to her in the field to take her away from her buddies. Very simple, but it works.

If my mare were alone, I think she would probably be fine as she is fairly independent and uncomplicated. I would wait and see how your cob is once the cattle have gone, he may surprise you and soon settle down. You could always find a companion to join him, even a sheep would do the trick and give him company. Often horses are complicated because humans make them that way!!

 

[Olliepoppy]

Thanks Jenny Wrenny, that is a really useful reply! I've already ordered him a field safe head collar and will probably try in with cows during the day and in his bit of field at night. I do visit him at times without catching him and give him some carrot or apple and quite often a neck massage! my main worry is Nov as the cows will go and also he won't be getting so much human attention as the dark nights will be in and the visiting neighbours won't be out to see him as much. I did think of sheep! At least I have some time to figure out a suitable companion before the cows leave