Does my pony need a companion

[scrumpy27]

Hi all, i took your advice last time so here i am again! my spookey 5yr old mare has settled in after 5 weeks but is pushing her bounderies and trying not to show me respect, i am working on this, today i was told by a qualified instructor that she is being naughty and sees me more as a field companion than a leader, i accept this but they also mentioned she seemed relaxed around other horses (they hacked her out for me) and she makes cute whinny noises even when my dog is in the field with her, they said not to "play" with her because she is young and just show leadership. My question is should i get her a companion as i was told she had never been kept with horses for the last 2 years or would this make her dependant on them and even more nappy when we left the field? Thanks for all answers x

 

[Wagtail]

Yes, in my opinion it is cruel to keep a horse alone. You can occasionally get problems with them getting clingy and nappy, but this is a very selfish reason to deprive them of company of their own kind. Sorry to be blunt, but I am giving my honest opinion.

 

[FionaM12]

Is she kept entirely alone? Personally I would rather not keep a horse alone. They are herd animals and need company.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

Horses are herd animals and unless they have a behavioural problem (very rare) they are much happier with equine company.

My question is should i get her a companion as i was told she had never been kept with horses for the last 2 years or would this make her dependant on them and even more nappy when we left the field?

I find it very sad that she has been on her own for the past two years.

Are there any horses that she can see over the fence?

If you are willing to look for a companion that doesn't mind being left alone while you ride (or get two ), it would be worth it (for your mare's sake) even if she is a bit more nappy for a while.

 

[be positive]

Poor girl she has been on her own since she was only a 3 yr old, I know some are happy enough without company but I dont think it is fair for such a young horse to have spent so much time alone. I would get her a companion or two so that she is less clingy and can be able to spend her time in the field being in the company of another horse an older one would be ideal as it will be able to,hopefully,be the leader .

 

[Sarah Sum1]

Aww yes I would, they are herd animals and whilst some cope well alone I never feel it is right to keep a herd animal alone. As she is young I feel she would definitely benefit from a companion. I actually noticed to the right in the ads an advert for a veteran who is free to a good home.

Bless her, she wants to play and she has no field mates and you're not allowed to play with her, she must be bored stiff.

 

[FionaM12]

she makes cute whinny noises even when my dog is in the field with her,

That's very sad.

You can occasionally get problems with them getting clingy and nappy, but this is a very selfish reason to deprive them of company of their own kind.

I agree with Wagtail. My Mollie is a bit of a pain about leaving her friends and going out alone, but I think it's up to me to overcome that. I'd rather she was happy than lonely but more manageable.

 

[scrumpy27]

Hi thanks for all quick replies. i realise they are herd animals but i only have 1acre field for her, she has horses all around her which she talks to all day long, she can see them through a hedge/conifer fence not really clearly but i could improve this if need be.i spend atleast 3hours aday with her, all day at weekends and i hope to hack her out 2-3 times a week with another horse. i am thinking of getting a companion a smaller pony that my 9yr old can plod out on to give this 5yr old pony confidence,

 

[indie999]

Yes good idea with such a youngster but just make sure its a well behaved one.

My old boy is ok on his own and I got a companion which turned out to be a pain(wrong choice of companion thats all). BUT for a youngster I think it will help calm them down and they are much happier. The youngster who is kept next to mine was always hyper, and since he has been kept with another it stopped him eating the fence (he had devoured a new field gate/post and rail etc) I am sure it was insecure and lonely. They groom each other etc normal horsey things. The youngster has got a new lease of life, seems much more settled and happier.

Just make sure the companion is happy to be left on its own too.(you might get a bit of calling etc) but they do get use to it.

Perhaps try to find an older been there done that horse, you might find someone willing to put theirs in with yours etc

Good luck

 

[Meowy Catkin]

she can see them through a hedge/conifer fence not really clearly but i could improve this if need be

This would be a good idea. It would also mean that the companion would be able to see other horses easily when you take your mare away.

 

[scrumpy27]

Hi thanks for reply, do you think having a companion would make her more managable or less managable, she is not respecting me too much, it is getting better as i am learning to not let her, but i want to build up her trust and tell her off at the same time, she is clingy in my space etc and i think i want to get her to totally depend on me not another horse, she totally depended on her last owner but maybe not totally respected her either! ARGhh i am going round in circles i want whats best for her.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

My best guess (as I've never met your pony) is that it might be harder for a short while (as she'll be so glad to have a friend so she might not want to leave them) and then much better once she's settled and realises that the friend will be there when she gets back from her ride.

 

[scrumpy27]

Thanks, i think this is the way to go, very supportive answer, i think a nice sensible pony could be what i need. but i have realistically only got time to hack and school one during the week and take them both out at weekends but this is do-able (not sure if that is real word! but you know what i mean) thanks again x

 

[be positive]

Hi thanks for reply, do you think having a companion would make her more managable or less managable, she is not respecting me too much, it is getting better as i am learning to not let her, but i want to build up her trust and tell her off at the same time, she is clingy in my space etc and i think i want to get her to totally depend on me not another horse, she totally depended on her last owner but maybe not totally respected her either! ARGhh i am going round in circles i want whats best for her.

A horse should not totally depend on you, other than for its food, water and general care, it should be confident being a horse in its own right, you will be making it clingy and lacking in self confidence, you cannot expect to have it both ways, it should be able to socialise with its own kind not rely on you for company.

 

[scrumpy27]

I am just learning my way around this forum, but it has helped loads, sometimes you just need to say whats on your mind there and then!, i don't come from a horsey family but i am horse mad and always have been so its good to have some like minded folks to chat with. i will take sometime to upload some pics of my pony Smokey soon and sort out my profile thing. Ta all

 

[Sarah Sum1]

Can you move to a yard with other horses?

 

[scrumpy27]

A horse should not totally depend on you, other than for its food, water and general care, it should be confident being a horse in its own right, you will be making it clingy and lacking in self confidence, you cannot expect to have it both ways, it should be able to socialise with its own kind not rely on you for company.

Thanks, point taken, and as my whole objective is to give her confidence this is very relevant thanks

 

[FionaM12]

Welcome. I've not been here long and am quite new (well, second time round after a long gap!) to horse owning and I've found this forum really valuable.

You'll find you get lots of advice, and many people here have loads of experience. There's always someone around who can help. Sometimes you'll find you might get some abrupt or tactful responses, but most people are lovely.

 

[Crazydancer]

I bought a mare this spring, 4 yrs old, and kept her on her own for a while while I got a bit of weight on her (the horses all live out 24/7, and my other horse is a rather good do-er, so it was easier this way)
There were horses in all the surrounding paddocks, but I was having a problem with her, whenever I went in the field she would come over, and want to play, rearing up and cantering round and generally 'in my face'. I asked on the forum, and got much the same replies as you have!

So as she had put some weight on, I moved her and my gelding together. Her behaviour changed immediately. She was so much more settled and happier. She comes over to me now in the field, but just ambles over for a scratch and a rub. I try and take her out of the field for a groom, and then my gelding, so they get used to leaving each other for a short while, and although there may be some whinnies from the one left out, it isn't anything worrying, and the 'brought in' horse is rarely bothered.

Hope that helps!