how long do foals greive for?

S

sarahlou123

New User
Joined
14 March 2008
Messages
9
Visit site
hi
i have a welsh section A foal who is not quite a year. I got him in november last year, he was unhandled. he had a headcollar on but hadnt been lead or anything, barely touched. the owners had rescued 8 from the meat markets. anyway, i had him with my old boy & they were good company for each other. sadly last thursday I had to have my old boy put to sleep. since then my welshy has been very very unsettled. he keeps racing round the field, sweating up, he keeps laying at the end of the field near where my old horse was put to sleep. my foal was in the field when it happened-my vet advised this was the best way?!

my foal has also started nipping badly which is normal foal behaviour but when he comes up to me he keeps rearing up right in front of me, this is kinda scary. also whenever anyone goes in the field he races up to them whinying. i know some of this is normal foal behaviour but he doesnt seem himself since he's been on his own.

the paddock is right next to the house & we let him in the garden too so he can get used to my young children/dogs/people etc. he is still a wild child but he's getting there.
he's been through so much in his short life, started out on mounains then meat market then the lady who rescued him. i then got him & promptly had the vet out as he had pnemonia & now he's lost his pal.

does anyone know how long foals grieve for? it has only been a week. i dont know whether to get another pony to help him through this (& obviously keep) or whether i need to leave it longer to see if he gets over it? am i damaging him by keeping him on his own? i would prefer not to get another pony but will do what i need to do to make my baby happy.
frown.gif

any advise much appriciated.
 
I don't know how long they grieve for, but it is natural for horses to not be alone, and your foal is not only missing his companion, but is probably scared because he is alone. I know many people keep horses singly, I personally wouldn't.

Do you know anyone who could livery with you, it would earn you an income, and get your youngster used to being left while the other horse goes hacking etc?
 
i've always had ponies together too, never had one on it's own until now. it was a sudden death so didnt have anything planned. our paddock is only pony paddock size & not alot of grazing. my 2 always had ad-lib hay both in stable & out in the field shelter & hard feed so wasnt a problem. i dont really know anyone who would want to livery with him though due to there being not a lot of grass.
 
So sorry for your loss.

When my Pony Millie was about 18 months old her companion died. They were very close and had been together since Millie was 4 months old. It affected her really badly, she literally changed over night and became very territorial. We didn't get her another companion as Millie's behavior was so aggressive that we were worried she would injure another pony.

This though was the wrong thing to do, because when we finally did put her with another horse just over a year later her attitude changed again. She was far happier and a lot less territorial. Unfortunately though I think it did leave her with some problems.

If you can I would get another pony ASAP, either a foal that he can play with or an older sensible pony that will look out for him.
 
Hi

Sorry to hear of your situation. Loosing a friend is extremely traumatic for a horse, but made much worse if it is then left on it's own without others. I would definately be looking at getting a companion for him asap.

I'm sure once he has a new friend his behavior will settle.
 
thanks for your replies, i think you hve all answered what i was thinking deep down. just need to find the money for another pony now ackkk!!!

prices seem to be going back up now too, when i looked a few weeks ago people were practically giving them away. are there any good places too look? i have to admit i dont want to just buy something because it's cheap if that makes sense. i would prefer to spend up to £1000 on a decent shetty or welshy. probably around 6-10yrs as hopefully that age would be old enough to take him under there wing but also still young enough to play?
 
or how about a sheep or goat? less hassle and cheaper than another horse! and my goat (when she was still around) used to love my horse!
 
I bet if you put up an ad offering reasonably priced/cheap/free diy (depending on what suits you) for a companion, suitable for a laminitic your phone wouldn't stop ringing
 
See redwings news item. Also try veteran horse society, they have a list of retired horses that need new homes. There are always plenty of companions looking for homes, you shouldn't need to spend anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top