Is a companion all its cracked up to be??

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gailt

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I have had nothing but problems since getting dancer his companion..he suffers with major seperation anxiety..i seem to have come to a stand still where that is concerned...i have got as far as i can turn them out in seperate paddocks, but he still has a paddy knowing she isnt in there...after 2 or 3 mins he is head down and good as gold for the day...i have for the last few days kept them totally apart all day in different paddocks to see if he will settle....because he is totally stressed when ever you do anything with her...he has had a cold and cough..which isnt going...hes had antibiotics, cough medicine and garlic, but its not going..the vet said if he is stressed it will lower his immune system and he will take longer to clear it??..I was thinking about getting a 3rd...a shetland or something so he always has a friend in with him...but i cant keep wondering if ive done more harm than good in getting a companion for him...i know he is a herd animal..but he was a happy one before i got gypsey. now he is stressed and getting aggitated very easily....if he is happier in his own paddock whats the point in having a companion...although he still creates if he sees you taking her out of her paddock...

sorry for dumping on you guys just really feel for him! and am wondering wether to end the loan early for his health sake and my sanity! ...She is hardly ridden, for other reasons i wont go into now...but i worry if i keep her on and in with him, they are going to get so attached that when she does go he will be devastated! I didnt know when i agreed to have her that she would be on a 6 month loan...
What to do guys??? ive had some great advice from you since owning him...can you come up trumps with a solution this time.... he is rising 2 BTW
 
Hmm difficult one!

I think you have got to go with what is right for your situation and go with your gut instinct.

It is always preferable for them to have a companion but,,,,,,,there can always be a but,,,,and with horses you can never say never!! (Except to say never)
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So does that help??

Goldenboy mutters "Bloody useless BB,,,keep your advice for someone else"!! LOL
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Having two is always a problem as one of them is always going to be left alone. Three are far easier to cope with.

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Yes, I have 3, it is much easier now.
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lol BB...know what you mean...so now i have to decide if i stick to him alone or go for 3....i think my OH might want to be part of this decision...lol..as its his hard earned dosh id be using...lol
 
I had 7 last year, down to 4 now, all under 4years old and less than 13.2hh. Feels much lighter now. There is always a few in the field if I take one out so no problems...
 
I also have three, wouldn't be able to cope otherwise! I have two rideable ones and a companion from a rescue centre who never goes anywhere apart from the field, or the stable next to one if the other is out and about somewhere. Works really well.

I tried with two for a couple of weeks, but we were all verging on nervous breakdowns, so I had to get the 3rd! Now peace reigns! Leaving one behind while I rode the other just wasn't working.

The companion pony would survive on his own, although he would be quite miserable, but there's no way that either of the other two would ever in a trillion years settle completely on their own.
 
I have a companion pony who wouldn't be left on her own, had to get a 'companions' companion. We now have 4, two ridden and two companion, that makes for even better herd dynamics - Two companions live on fresh air, however they still need worming, vacs trimming etc so not for the faint hearted. I try to justfy it by having companions from a welfare charity!
 
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