How to choose a companion

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

So we've only recently acquired a gorgeous little mare for the kids, and she's living at home with us on her own just now. Before she came I was adamant I'd be looking for a companion ASAP, but now she's here she seems really happy on her own, and I'm massively stressed about choosing the "right" companion!

She's a very submissive type,she's used to being bottom of the pack. And she's come to me quite thin, where she's not been allowed much access to the hay by her last mini herd. In my head I feel like a herd animal would be happier with company, even if that company bullied her a bit. But my heart is just so worried in case she's actually enjoying a bit of breathing space for once in her life!

Do I look for a perfect companion for the pony, which isn't necessarily any good for the kids to ride? Do I get something perfect for the kids, and hope the ponies get on ok? Or do I leave her on her own in the medium term? How long is "medium term"?!!

 

[catkin]

Do you have a reputable sanctuary near you?
If so it may well be worth enquiring about a loan pony companion. A good sanctuary will try to place their ponies in the right home and should ask about your pony's personality and her management needs.
We've had a couple of companions from a local sanctuary over the years - and they've been great and fitted in really well (we've needed the opposite type to you, something bossy to keep bumptious youngsters in hand!) and the sanctuary was great in carefully picking the right characters from amongst their ponies.

 

[Bellaboo18]

Just because she *seems* really happy I'd still make it a priority to get a companion otherwise you'll probably find she gets very clingy when he/she does finally arrive. Horses are very good at coping and appearing fine the problems come when they have an alternative to coping.
Don't leave her on her own.
Contact a local rescue for a non ridden companion, something with similar needs, if it doesn't work out they can always go back. You definitely need something that will be happy left while you take you current one out to be ridden.
Bottom of the herd horses actually normally feel more confident with a more dominant companion. Someone to take the lead. You can make sure there's enough hay piles for two.

 

[cauda equina]

What you look for depends on what you decide you need - another ridden pony, or a pony whose main job is to be a companion
Either way, life will be much easier if the new one has the same sort of grazing needs as your mare.
If she was being bullied previously and now isn't she might turn out to be a better doer than you might expect

 

[HorseyTee]

I was after a companion and wanted to choose the right horse.
I went to the Blue Cross with my requirements, which wasn't much as the match was the most important thing for me, and that it was a gelding, otherwise I didn't care on breed/age/colour etc.
They chose what they thought would suit and he has been the best pony, day 1 he was turned out with my boys grazing happily together and we have had no problems.
They are also always there for back up and advise.
And you are helping a rescue.

 

[splashgirl45]

she may seem ok but they hide how they feel and you may find she starts to get a bit more stressed as time goes on if she has no company, as others have said contact one of the rescues and they should be able to help..good luck

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

thanks for all the replies. I think you're all right, and I should follow my head, which says that she'd be better off with a companion, even if that companion isn't a "friend". We've got a great Shetland rescue very locally, I might give them a call in the morning ?

 

[Bellaboo18]

thanks for all the replies. I think you're all right, and I should follow my head, which says that she'd be better off with a companion, even if that companion isn't a "friend". We've got a great Shetland rescue very locally, I might give them a call in the morning ?

Everyone needs a Shetland!! Let us know how you get on.

 

[splashgirl45]

while a shetland may be the answer you need to make sure it hasnt suffered from laminitis and therefore may have to be grazed differently to your existing pony which would be a pain . not all shetties get laminitis but many do so just be aware....

 

[cauda equina]

I got a mini Shetland as a companion for an Arab who needed restricted grazing
To start with, the Arab said he hated the Shetland but he's come round to loving him
I love the Shetland too, he's such a sweet little person
If you've got an easy source of Shetlands I'd go for it. Good luck!

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

while a shetland may be the answer you need to make sure it hasnt suffered from laminitis and therefore may have to be grazed differently to your existing pony which would be a pain . not all shetties get laminitis but many do so just be aware....

Thanks- I'm treating my little Dartmoor as potentially laminitic anyway (althoigh she's thin just now, she's got a possible history of laminitis) Sweet itch is the absolute no no for us- the midges round here are awful.

 

[Winters100]

Good luck finding the right companion. I hope you get the same lovely reaction as I did when my girl met her perfect paddock mate. We had her out on her own as she had been unhappy in a paddock with a couple of youngsters who constantly wanted to play, so although she could see other horses she was alone and appeared quite happy. When a new pony came to the yard we decided to try him in my paddock and it was unbelievable - suddenly she went from coming immediately to the gate when she saw me to making me tramp across the field to get her - which I don't mind at all as I think it means that she is happy and relaxed where she is. They are so bonded now and always next to each other, plus his owner has had much more fun with him as he used to be too spooky to hack comfortably, but is now totally calm since my girl went out with him to show him that the world is not so scary. Like you I always thought that she was happy alone, but I now see that she really was missing something in her life.

 

[Cocorules]

Aside from personality you also want one with the same dietary requirements

 

[Not_so_brave_anymore]

Good luck finding the right companion. I hope you get the same lovely reaction as I did when my girl met her perfect paddock mate. We had her out on her own as she had been unhappy in a paddock with a couple of youngsters who constantly wanted to play, so although she could see other horses she was alone and appeared quite happy. When a new pony came to the yard we decided to try him in my paddock and it was unbelievable - suddenly she went from coming immediately to the gate when she saw me to making me tramp across the field to get her - which I don't mind at all as I think it means that she is happy and relaxed where she is. They are so bonded now and always next to each other, plus his owner has had much more fun with him as he used to be too spooky to hack comfortably, but is now totally calm since my girl went out with him to show him that the world is not so scary. Like you I always thought that she was happy alone, but I now see that she really was missing something in her life.

Oh, this would be the dream!

 

[Winters100]

Maybe check the fb group retired and ex polo ponies. Plenty of ponies there cheap or free, lots of them suitable for hacking and light work. If you got the right one you would be able to go for a steady hack with the children, or even put one of them on the bigger pony depending on their age. Polo ponies are generally good to handle and calm.

 

[Leandy]

You don't say what age or how many kids you have, but assuming they are keen you will collect ponies in any event as they grow out of them and move on. On this basis I would say find a companion on a temporary basis that you can send back as appropriate or it will just be another pony you get stuck with over the years!

 

[oldie48]

Maybe check the fb group retired and ex polo ponies. Plenty of ponies there cheap or free, lots of them suitable for hacking and light work. If you got the right one you would be able to go for a steady hack with the children, or even put one of them on the bigger pony depending on their age. Polo ponies are generally good to handle and calm.

The most important thing I look for in a companion is the ability to leave it in the field on it's own when I go off with Rose. I keep Rose at home so there's only ever her plus a companion theses days, your situation may be different. I borrowed an ex polo pony from a friend, she was lovely and got on well with bossy Rose but she really struggled if left on her own for even a short time. Thinking about it I realised she'd spent her whole life in a group so I sadly returned her as I thought it was a step too far to expect her to adapt. Good luck in finding something suitable

 

[Frano]

Think carefully the companion has to be happy to stay on his own when you ride your pony. Also it costs the same to keep a horse whether it is ridden or not. I take it you have more than one child from your post ? May come a time when you need more than one rideable pony.The charities are a good way to go. As ponies are vetted and they try to get a good match for your situation.