Dilemma. Any advice?

Achinghips

Achinghips

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What to do?

I'm moving to my dream property, arena, lots of stables, 4 acres separated by acre into post and rail fencing.

I currently have one big cob type horse so he will need a companion.

Do I

1. Get a companion horse on loan from a rescue
2. Get a livery with a horse
3. Buy another riding horse
4. Buy a dream horse I have seen that is very high maintenance and get a sharer

What happens when I take one out? Would I then need a companion for the companion?
I'm a happy hacker that works two days per week. I go to the odd show here and there but nothing competition serious ...
 
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Fantastic - sounds idyllic. In my experience two doesn't work well. I would get a companion from a rescue and get a livery with their own horse, its always handy to have another person in case you want to go away for a weekend or are ill.

Good luck with you move - welcome to the doing the night time check and morning breakfast in your jim-jams club!!!
 
Get a rescue you can always send it back, you can lead and ride, you could also ride the rescue if you find the right one, and you dont have to put up with other peoples problems
 
I've got a similar set-up, and have two non-ridden companions, who look after each other when I'm riding. They still whinge when Alf goes out, despite having each other, because he is the her leader, but are beginning to accept that they can't have him all the time!
Logistically, it can be complicated when you're on your own. Silly things like moving fields can be interesting! I have to work it so that neither of the oldies is left alone - luckily Alf doesn't care, as long as he moves first. Leading two is a bit of an issue, as one of them has no shame when it comes to bogging off in hand. It would probably be easier if I had two old, quiet native types, but I haven't, so have to adapt to suit the senile delinquents! If one of them comes in for the farrier, everything has to come in, which again, causes dilemmas about how to get three in without someone having a hissy fit!

Not sure that was helpful at all - but that's how we roll at my place!
 
Wow you lucky thing. I bet you would have people queuing up for space at your place! I would get a livery you can trust, as said, always good to have someone you trust who can help with duties when needed.
 
don't get a livery!

I'd get a couple of mini shetlands! they are the best invention in the world! and they wont get upset when you take the big one out as they will have each other still! they wont churn up the fields and don't eat as much as a big horse! they are perfect in every way
 
I agree with Kerrie. Unless you have a friend in need of livery in which case I'd do that. It is always nice to have a friend around, but less nice to have a stranger around especially if you don't click.
 
We have two horses. Either will trot about a bit and whinny when the other is taken away but not for long. Hay helps. Make friends with nearby horse owners asap so you can swap emergency cover.

I'd go for the dream horse.;)
 
I have a small yard. Initially we had two horses, and they got very joined at the hip. We then took on a few liveries, which helped greatly with the herd and stopped the separation issues, but also stopped the bliss of having your own private yard! Eventually we got four horses of our own and no liveries, which was wonderful but a lot of work (hubby and I both worked full time then). As my stepson grew out of ponies we are back down to two horses. They are a little joined at the hip, but not to the extent that you can't ride one out without the other, however I think there will be issues when/if I start competing again and they are both at the same show.

I only have issues with one being left behind when I ride out if I leave them out in the field. If they are brought in and left with a haynet they don't bother at all, we also have a winter turnout area around the yard area, which is reasonably big, and they are quite happy out on that. They also will go out in a small grass paddock (think 20x40m) while the other one is out, but if in the real field they seem to run around neighing and get sweated up. Obviously I now leave them in an area where they don't stress.

As for what company to have.. If I didn't need two large ridden horses, I would probably swop one for a smaller, hardier pony that was retired or didn't need riding. When we previously had two, one was a section A that didn't need shoes (just trimming), was only insured 3rd party, and never had rugs/clips etc. She was a lot less work than my husband's 17h hunter and a lot cheaper to keep! I would be wary of anything "high maintenance", although I'm not totally sure what you mean by that, it could mean many things. I just don't do high maintenance in any areas of life if I can help it!

I would also fish around in your area for a good groom/instructor/freelance that could cover you in times of holiday. We have someone one day a week, just so we get a rest and it keeps us on their list of clients should we need more cover/help ad hoc..
 
A rescue or two! You get support and some pay for extra's like worming, annual injections etc for companions. Plus if you can not keep no problem to get them rehomed.

Think long and hard before sharing your new yard with others, it can spoil everything for you.

I have my boxes in one of the paddocks, so ponies bring themselves in when I call and open the gate, I also use them as shelters with doors open in winter and it is so much easier than when we kept in at night.
 
I know of a lovely 6 year old section a who would love a companion home. He was left with a friend who owns a yard and signed over as a livery debt but sadly is slightly in un level so can't be found any other type of home. He has just been living in her fields for the last two years. Pm me if interested.
 
Definitely do NOT get livery, they are more bother than they are worth even when they are friends. Option 4 sounds like a good idea to me, as if you get the right sharer then you would have someone to call on in an emergency or if you need to go away. A rescue would be a good idea as well, your land should cope with 3. I find that if I ride one horse and leave the other inside, there is far less trouble than leaving one in the field - mind you I've just bought a couple of youngsters so that that neither of the older ones will be left alone when the time comes to pts - this could go on forever!
 
I wouldn't have a livery if you paid me, haha. Much less a friend that's a livery. Thats even worse as it blurs the lines, rarely seems to end well that...

Me, I'd get another. My boys are in a group of two, and when I go out with one, the other just hangs about. No bother.
 
Whatever you chose to do make sure all the residents have the same needs it is a nightmare to have a good doer and a poor doer sharing and a tiny with a big horse as their management is very different
 
I have similar set up. If you can find a companion who is fine left in their own then that is great as 3 horses is more work etc. but a third will help if there are separation anxiety problems. I had my horse and my daughters old pony - neither were fussed if left on own so was great. We have a third now but she does stress if left on her own and I have had a very stressy rescue pony as an only companion to my mare before and it was an absolute nightmare - he turned himself inside out when I took her out, went over stable doors, through fences etc. having had a livery before I really wasn't keen on having another person 'intrude' my home etc but it could for you! Given money/time no object I would go for dream horse and get sharer if you can for your cob!
 
One of my best friends only had one horse most of the time ,she gave a series of elderly ponies a few lovely years until the time came , all needed a home and a lucky break it was funny that as soon as one need to go another just found her .
So you could look for an old pony in need of help.
But if I where you I would go for the dream horse and the companion .
Good luck with the new place nothing beats having them at home.
 
My lad was devastated when we lost his friend to colic, we now have four free range horses, take any combination out and the ones left will charge up the field calling, unless stabled with hay. Moving fields is easy, I lead my lad who is herd leader, the others follow, they may stop for a snack but just a whistle gets them moving again, good luck, there's nothing like doing the horses in your jim jams
 
kerrieberry2 said:
don't get a livery!

I'd get a couple of mini shetlands! they are the best invention in the world! and they wont get upset when you take the big one out as they will have each other still! they wont churn up the fields and don't eat as much as a big horse! they are perfect in every way
Click to expand...

Totally agree with this :D
Cookie shouts when Ned leaves the gate, but as soon as we're out of sight he goes back to eating.
When Ned escaped, Cookie could have been alone for hours, but he wasn't fussed at all.
 
Get your dream horse. Shetlands or little ponies often need very different management to a larger horse that is getting exercise and they end up living in a separate bare paddock etc.

I would get the dream horse and a sharer so you have someone to ride with and if you find you need a third then either take your time finding a good livery or friend or get another riding horse/pony with a sharer so you have company and backup for those days when you need help. I have my 3 at home and although it is bliss not dealing with livery yard hassle it would be nice to have company to hack or go to comps with.
 
Update for those interested:

I bought a lovely little low maintenance 14.3 hh pony that rides like a dream ( hope those aren't famous last words lol) and can be companion to the big lad :)


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unless you want to do morewith this dream horse.
Id say the best option would be to get a companion from a rescue.
Some cope well once settled left alone, but some dont.
To avoide problems it may be easier if you get two small companions.

There are lots of them at rescue centre.
 
Many horses are fine without a companion. Though it's better for them to have a friend they do deal with being alone quite well.

Having two means that if they should buddy up to the point of being inseparable you'll have problems with one or both getting upset when separated.

What about getting a grazer - would help offset costs and give you someone to ride with.

You could interview them carefully and ask for references too from their previous yards
 
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