Do I need a companion?

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NoltonSeaShell

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I've recently sold my mare, so I just have my boy on his own, (Large number of reasons for selling). So I've been wondering do I need a companion for my boy.

Yes, he will be alone in his field, however, the are horses next door to us, and hopefully when I get him out and about he will be out with a friends horse. Would these horses next door be ok......

orrrr....

Shall I get a little companion? Would be stabled with him over winter, so mucking out etc would be a downfall and one of the elements I wanted to get rid of so I could spend more time. Cost isn't a problem, but it would have the run of the field with him as well around 3.5 acres, and i think i would worry about lami etc!!

Would be nice to have a little shettie/sec a thou :D So what would all you do?
 
Personally I would always get a companion - horses are so much happier in company. A little shettie/welsh A will be inexpensive to keep. Where abouts are you? I'm in Herts and my YO has a little welsh A who is basically a companion and sits in a field all day. She's a pretty little dapple grey who is 3 and would do well in showing if you ever wanted to give her a job, but essentially she's a brilliant companion and really level-headed. He's basically giving her away as he has no use for her due to having two other companion types!
 
Although I agree that the majority of horses prefer company,doesn't mean that all of them need company.

I have kept my lad alone for at least half the time I've had him,he's fine with it.He enjoys company on the occasions he's had it (well sometimes anyway,depending on the company!!),but is equally happy alone.

I have had much disapproval over the years for my choice not to have a second horse as a companion (especially as we don't even have any horses nearby),but I know my horse and I know he can cope just fine.

Obviously it depends on the horse,but don't be afraid to try your lad on his own if you want to.If you have horses next door that he can see and hear,then I really don't see why your lad wouldn't be ok with that.Many yards have individual turnout these days,not really any different to that.

You can always get a companion later on if he doesn't settle,but I don't see what you have to lose by trying it??
 
NoltonSeaShell said:
but it would have the run of the field with him as well around 3.5 acres, and i think i would worry about lami etc!!
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Sorry for second post but just noticed this bit.

One of the many reasons that the whole 'get a small pony as as a companion' scenario just doesn't work a lot of the time.Small ponies often need just as much if not more managment than bigger horses when it comes to grazing and living arrangements,and their needs are rarely compatible IME.

Not much of a companion if ends up having to be seperated due to needing restricted grazing,and on 3.5 acres I would say that is a distinct possibility sadly.
 
That is my main point about getting a companion devonlass, I give up my other one to devote a 100% to my boy, and I worry I'll end up spending even less time because I'll be sorting out the little one. And I wouldn't want to strip graze etc cos it will effect my boy who has the run of the field and enjoys it. He has horses in the next field, they can touch eachother etc so it is just like an individual turnout.

Also he is a bit of a pushover, and I know it's probably me just being a bit silly but I want him to have the rule of the roost for a bit. He was always moved on by my mate constantly.

I think I'll try him off first, it will do him no harm. It is not as if he is in solitary confinement with no other horses around.

Thanks FA Im all the way down in s Wales
 
About 3 months after I got my first arab, I ended up keeping her on a yard on her own, the only other time she saw horse was on the gallops. She seemed very happy at the time, and loved the one to one. She lives in a herd now, and gets very jealousof me giving attention to the my others.
 
Have to agree with devonlass, small ponies are not the type of horse you can just put in a field they need strict management to avoid laminitis and getting themselves into trouble!
Most of them enjoy having a little job as well even if that's just 10 mins of lunging a week.
I used to look after a veteran who was on his own but had a few horses next door and he coped okay and got more wound up after he got a companion and everytime she was taken away to be groomed/lunged/ridden he got himself into a state. It's a bit difficult situation but depends the horse
 
I'm in a similar situation at the moment, I've lost my rented grazing and have 3 horses and only enough grazing of my own for one so I've had to sell the one I ride and having to return my shetland pony to the rescue centre which is breaking my heart and the worry of having my remaining veteran pony on his own is causing me sleepless nights, he can see other horses from where he is and to be honest he tends to spend most his time in the field grazing in his own quiet little corner but its still a worry !!
 
devonlass said:
Sorry for second post but just noticed this bit.

One of the many reasons that the whole 'get a small pony as as a companion' scenario just doesn't work a lot of the time.Small ponies often need just as much if not more managment than bigger horses when it comes to grazing and living arrangements,and their needs are rarely compatible IME.

Not much of a companion if ends up having to be seperated due to needing restricted grazing,and on 3.5 acres I would say that is a distinct possibility sadly.
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Your reply has really put my mind at rest, one of the reasons I have decided to return my shetland is that even if I kept him he'd still have to be kept separate from my veteran pony to whom he is supposed to be a companion as there would be far too much grass for him !! read my post above and you'll understand what I'm going on about !! but thank you.
 
with your boy being able to see and touch other horses over the fence i wouldn't worry about a companion, like others have said, a small one is not always the easy option if they need restricted grazing. if your boy seems happy as he is then just enjoy the extra time you have now to spend with him;)
 
Go down to a local donkey sanctuary and rescue one:p. So many needing new homes which is a shame.

If I could, id go and get one and name him 'Poncho':D
 
You said he might be out with your friends horse? That would probably be the best situation for you. I would definately say to get a companion, I personally think it goes against their natural need for companionship otherwise. BUT a little pony wouldnt suit, there's no way you should be keeping a shetland or Sec A on a 3.5 acre field, def get too fat and risk lami!
 
Hanzybaby01 said:
Go down to a local donkey sanctuary and rescue one:p. So many needing new homes which is a shame.

If I could, id go and get one and name him 'Poncho':D
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Whilst donkeys are generally fairly low maintenance, they do have to have shelter at all times as their coats are not water resistant, which not everyone can provide. Also whilst some horses adore donkeys, others are petrified of them.:D
 
Why not get a companion from WHW? Whilst most of their companion types are small ponies, they also have a few above 15hh that are probably less prone to lami, which would suit your grazing situation better.
 
Thanks guys you've put my mine at rest! I know getting a little one wasn't an ideal situ, just too much to worry about!! Not saying that they can't make good companions but I just want to give a 100 to my boy.

Hanzy I'd worry about them not being water proof etc! Haha It would have to be in 24/7 as I live in Wales :D

Naturally, I don't know how much company sheep actually are, we have sheep in the two surrounding fields, and the occasional lamb that decides to climb the fence :)
 
Another reason I got rid of my mare was so I could keep my boy in my field 24/7, two horses tear up my field which results in no grass just masses of mud. So I definitely wouldn't consider a larger horse as I might as well have kept my girl.

MagicMelon he would be going out on hacks etc, not out with them. As I have my own grazing where as they are on livery about an hours hack away.
 
Yes, all horses should have a friends. They are herd animals and a friend is as essential to their well being as correct feeding and clean water.

Some horses tolerate being on their own but it's a very messed up horse who's HAPPY with it. Many horses 'tolerate' badly fitted tack too.....

Being beside others is not a suitable alternative. Have you watched a group of horses together? They groom, they play and they just spend time near each other, chilling, mooching around and being flywhisks for one another. It takes up many hours of their day. They cannot do that without a friend in the same field as them.

All of mine would 'settle' without a friend after the initial stress. But I would choose not to have a horse if keeping them by themselves was the only option.
 
Havent read all the posts but they are happier in a herd...HOWEVER..I few years ago I was in exactly same situation and my horse is absolutely fine on his own but I felt guilty.

So I went to Redwings, passed Ada cole vetting(they were being taken over by Redwings) drove over 3 hours to Norfolk redwings stipulating that needed pony that was good farrier and good on road(traffic). Waste of time. I thought I could do a good charitable turn.

Next looked for loan etc none to be found so I bought a £600 pony and ended up shoeing it, microchip etc etc. Not a problem but he was a pain and I sold him as he was still rideable and wasted with me.

I did not miss the two lots poos and farrier etc etc but poo picking was the big pain as they lived out 24/7. The only thing they were good doers both of them so that was easy.

If a horse is stressed etc and you started having problems with horse seperation etc then that type would need a companion(as long as the companion is happy to be left alone when you go out riding..so another problem happens). Or get 3 or 4 companions!!!

I even looked for someone to keep their horse with mine FOC.
Mine now has company over the fence. I feel sorry for him in the summer with flies when they stand end to end and can groom each other(as he doesnt have that).

Trouble is mine is old now and I dont want to be left with an other paddock ornament if mine gets PTS this year. Mine is ok alone doesnt call etc or fret as long as its got food he is happy boy.
 
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I had this dilemma when I moved to a place with 3 acres with ponies over the hedge,sheep and free range deer.
My horse SEEMED fine on his own,but as the weeks went by he became harder to handle,clingy and spooky.
I did not want to risk a pony,plenty of people were offering bigger companions for free,but these were generally older,shod and potentially expensive.
I decided to buy a weanling with the intention of growing it on,backing and then selling at 4 or 5 years. The weanling is now rising 2 and I am now far to attached to consider selling.....:o.....but it was a good plan!

Oh and I no longer have grass,just mud!:rolleyes:
 
devonlass said:
Although I agree that the majority of horses prefer company,doesn't mean that all of them need company.
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Unless there is a damn good reason to not have company then I would TOTALLY dispute that!
Horses are a herd animal. They look to others within the herd for support, reassurance, grooming, among other things.

OP why not try a local charity (that way if things change you can be sure the pony goes back into a stable situtation).
You could try WHW, EMW, Blue cross to name but a few!
 
When my friend has a single horse she always has a companion .
She makes a electric fence paddock within her field and used that if it gets too fat if it's a sound one she will lead it from her horse now and again to get it a bit of exercise.
She's had several over the time I have known her usually old PC ponys at retirement stage of life the only thing she insists on is that they don't create when left on their own it's what I would do if I only had one.
 
Abitodd's plan might work for you, if you've got the experience.

Buy a nice youngster. They don't need restricted grass and only need 10min a day handling. You could then sell on at breaking age.
 
Hi Ive not read the whole thread but i have a little welsh sec A (non laminatic) who I need to find a home for as a companion short or long term...pm if youd like details...he is a real sweetie!
 
NoltonSeaShell said:
Another reason I got rid of my mare was so I could keep my boy in my field 24/7, two horses tear up my field which results in no grass just masses of mud. So I definitely wouldn't consider a larger horse as I might as well have kept my girl.

MagicMelon he would be going out on hacks etc, not out with them. As I have my own grazing where as they are on livery about an hours hack away.
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I've only got a small field too !! the horse I've just sold is 15.1hh so when I do buy another one it will be much smaller ...
 
montyforever said:
I used to look after a veteran who was on his own but had a few horses next door and he coped okay and got more wound up after he got a companion and everytime she was taken away to be groomed/lunged/ridden he got himself into a state. It's a bit difficult situation but depends the horse
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Which just shows that although the horse appeared to cope, he wasn't happy. the reason he got wound up when the companion was taken away was that the was worried about being left on his own again. Unfortunately too many horse owners mistake stoicism for happiness.
Horses are herd animals and should be kept as part of a herd, the fact that some YO, who are obviously not as knowledgeable as they think, provide individual turnout does not mean that it is good for horses.
OP perhaps it would have been a good idea to consider whether your horse needs a companion before you sold your other horse. I haven't really understood why you sold the mare, was it because your gelding was not the boss in the field?
 
Pearlsasinger I sold my mare because I don't have enough grazing to cover two horses all year every year and the summer field I used to rent is now unavailable. I did not sell my mare because my gelding wasn't the boy of the field.

I can't keep a horse just to keep it. They had never bonded, never really got. In the years I've had them I've not once seen them grooming eachother. I think they are just the type that get along because they have to.

Whether or not I need a companion that mare was still going. I don't think understand why I sold the mare has any impact on whether I need a companion or not.
 
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