Grass keep/companion. Would you

[poiuytrewq]

I’ve potentially been asked if I’d have a horse here for someone..
He’s super easy. Lovely owner.
I have too much grass since loosing one and am constantly a bit worried that my current herd isn’t going to work. Big horse and two little laminitic type ponies.
So I’m worried they will need keeping in and I want him out as much as possible.
My grass is pretty rubbish though so it’s not like I have fresh green super charged grazing.
So a bigger horse to turn out with mine so I can keep the ponies in a bit in theory is ideal.

But…. The 3 of them have become the perfect gang. They are so so easy and settled. I watched them tonight all drinking from one Trug side by side. I’ve never had that before. There has always been a boss who chases the others away but not now. It’s just lovely and I don’t want to wreck that.
Wwyd it is only a possible atm! But I want to have an idea in my head.

 

[Bellaboo18]

A tricky one, I've got 3 in a perfect herd and although my mare is just about the boss they're all very well settled and nice to each other I think I'd struggle to risk changing that.
Is borrowing some sheep not an option?

 

[poiuytrewq]

A tricky one, I've got 3 in a perfect herd and although my mare is just about the boss they're all very well settled and nice to each other I think I'd struggle to risk changing that.
Is borrowing some sheep not an option?

I was offered sheep. It never came about. I currently have the horse and ponies in a small area. Plan was once that’s bare to strip graze very carefully. So * the grass shouldn’t be a problem but they do seem to suddenly seem to make me think the ponies could do with some time in their no grass turnout area.
So I’ve been worried about that but telling myself when/if that time comes I’ll panic then.

 

[spottypony90]

I guess you need to weigh up the pros and cons and see if it’s going to benefit you or not. Personally we wouldn’t, but it’s more because we have a trained guard dog so then visiting alone would be a bit awkward. We just top all our fields and it thickens them up nicely for the winter.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I guess you need to weigh up the pros and cons and see if it’s going to benefit you or not. Personally we wouldn’t, but it’s more because we have a trained guard dog so then visiting alone would be a bit awkward. We just top all our fields and it thickens them up nicely for the winter.

We have dogs that think they are guard dogs but to be honest it’s a working farm so there are other people round all the time.
It’s more upsetting the dynamics I’m worried about. This time last year I had 5 here and they were pretty fractious together, but that said I was easily able to keep the ponies better because I’d they needed to stay off the field for a bit it wasn’t a problem as my horse had other company to still go out.

 

[Jambarissa]

It's good they are all peaceful but can also mean they just stand still grazing all day. Not saying you want your ponies being chased but our very static herd is much better for the new quiet guy we've added.

 

[poiuytrewq]

It's good they are all peaceful but can also mean they just stand still grazing all day. Not saying you want your ponies being chased but our very static herd is much better for the new quiet guy we've added.

That is such a good point. As mean as it sounds I did for a while think that I could feed ad lib hay for example whilst being safe in the knowledge that Shetland wouldn’t get much of it.

 

[Marigold4]

Could you have the new horse just for a trial period and see how it works? Have a written agreement and first month is trial - owner has to take new horse away if it doesn't suit you? They might be prepared to give it a go and then there's no risk of being stuck with a situation that doesn't suit you.

 

[Lois Lame]

Can said horse come for a visit, just passing through, under strict understanding with the owner that this will be nothing more than a jaunt undertaken to see how everyone reacts? (He is to go back to his home after this little excursion.)

I'd be reluctant to upset the status quo. However, if everyone gets along, it could perhaps work out well.

Meanwhile, what understanding do you and the horse's owner have regarding this set-up? Who's responsible for what? What money passes hands etc etc?

 

[Peglo]

Would the plan be to put your big horse in with the new one on a bit more grazing so you can manage the smaller two’s grazing easier? Or would they all go in together?
It would make it easier having horses with similar grazing needs but if they’re all going in together then it might make managing the small ones harder.
On another note I share grazing with my cousin and I love having someone to chat with when poop scooping in the mornings and feed. And we then have someone to cover each other if we need it.

 

[Goldenstar]

I think I would give a lot of careful thought because it sounds like there’s some strong pros for doing it .
The top one for me would be not how easy is the horse but how easy is the owner will it be pleasant and nice to have them around .
In a livery business it’s part of the job to be managing cilents and meeting expectations within the perimeters offered by the packages on offer. ONe horse at home is more personal so it’s more important it’s nice and easy .