Keeping a horse by itself - your opinions

[Wagtail]

No there actually isn't. Dogs are animals. Even dogs are not silly enough to believe that humans are dogs Dogs are opportunists and view humans as their meal ticket and providers and yes they may enjoy our company but not because they think we are dogs, Lol!

Okay, due to the tone with which you have chosen to address my posts, I will respond in kind (though not something I feel is particularly clever).

You don't see the vast difference between dogs and horses? Wow. Please show me where I have said tha dogs think we are dogs. I said their relationship with us is different in that they view us as part of their pack. That does not mean to say they think we are the same species, silly .

I have to give it to you, you have a superb sense of humour. Pointing out the obvious here, most humans I know eat carrots, swedes, wheat, barley, greens, oats. Just like horses. Most of them also eat meat. Just like dogs.

Again you show your ignorance, we are omnivours, like dogs, not herbivours like horses. We are not a flight animal like horses, but we do hunt, like dogs. You are obviously completely blind to the differences in our relationship with the two species and the way they view us.

The inconsistencies in your posts are wild. You say it is unacceptable for single horses to live with goats and yet it's acceptable for single dogs to live with humans. Horses and dogs are both social animals designed (just for Faracat ) to live within complex social structures. Evolution (via domesticity) has enabled these animals to adapt. Just as it has with budgies, canaries, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, mice, rats (all highly social and interactive animals within their natural environments) which are kept as pets, often alone and without the interaction of their own species.

Facts cannot be dismissed just because they don't suit your vision of what is acceptable.

No inconsistencies at all. Apparently, I can see the difference between dogs and horses, and you cannot. Obviously you think that all animals should be treated the same, regardless of species. Make sure you don't put a saddle on your dog and throw a stick for your horse, lol

 

[Wagtail]

Have to say, I agree with the minority that there are cases when horses are better on there own and to put across that it is "cruel" or "bordering on abuse" when you do so I think is unacceptable.
I bought a pony last year which I ended up keeping on his own for a few weeks and was the best thing I could have done; when I got him no one could get anywhere near him and he would have NOTHING to do with humans, being on his own, if he wanted company he had to put up with me And he was down to be shot if he wouldnt come near anyone anytime soon so tbh I'm glad he decided he needed to make friends with humans afterall
He had also been in a herd where he was very much bullied and as soon as he was kept on his own his behaviour became a lot more chilled out, he would snooze and lay down a lot which he had not been able to do previously
But that is of course a very extreme set of circumstances and was for only about 3/4 weeks while he changed his ideas on life - he is now in a field with 3 others and is boss of them all Will also not leave me alone, is broken, jumps, hunts the works. I am def grateful for the time he had to spend on his own though and it was definitely the right thing to do, so there are most definitely exceptions and it can hardly be accused of as being "cruel" or "abuse" and I agree with the few on here that is very narrow minded.

In this day and age horses have become domesticated creatures and they have to rely on us as we have ruined the natural world they would otherwise live in - this means they have to have a relationship with people and as much as some people would love to be all "au naturel" (I think!? :S) it just cant happen sometimes and the next best thing has to be done instead....

Here we have a great example of where it has been beneficial to the horse to keep it alone. I have no problem with that at all, particularly as it was temporary and has produced a more rounded and confident individual.

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

But could you walk away from all communication with humans? That would include books, TV, the telephone, the internet, the list is endless. I doubt there is a single person on this board that would be happy without some kind of human communication and just live with animals. The point is, you come on here because you choose to, despite saying you could quite happily walk away. You seek out others to talk to. It is irrelivant what the subject matter is. Keeping a horse alone is selfish and cruel unless there is a very good reason for it that is beneficial to the horse.

When since was books a communication method lol my mother goes crazy about the fact that when I have book in my hands human interaction goes out the window.

I think you need to look at the fact that yes I chose to interact but I can tell you there are a few people right now that I chose not to I chose to keep my horse by himself so what sue me, call the SSPCA if you like. He was happy and fine and now he has the company he couldn't care less

I agree that the cruel/abuse/torture comments are ridiculous and it thin people are just taking it too far you would think all these horses were in a state but if you went to visit them I don't think you could find anything wrong with them

 

[Natch]

No, I have not made it up search on google "horses kept alone sleep" and you will find hundreds of references including:

Pascoe, Elaine. "How Horses Sleep, Pt. 2 – Power Naps". Equisearch.com. EquiSearch. http://equisearch.com/horses_care/health/behavior/eqpowernap1771/. Retrieved 2007-03-23.

and:

http://www.furrycritter.com/resources/horses/Clydesdale.htm

And I am not anthropomorphisising at all. I am taking the human world and suggesting that a human would not like to live without human communication, so why should a horse live without the company of other horses just because it suits us?

Chill out I didn't accuse you of making it up, I asked "Are the points in your posts validated, or your opinion?" either would have been interesting to consider, but what I thought you might produce was a scientifically valid and peer reviewed behavioural study, which would have interested me very much, not because I think what you say is wrong, but because I am interested in equine behavioural studies.

 

[Wagtail]

When since was books a communication method lol my mother goes crazy about the fact that when I have book in my hands human interaction goes out the window.

I think you need to look at the fact that yes I chose to interact but I can tell you there are a few people right now that I chose not to I chose to keep my horse by himself so what sue me, call the SSPCA if you like. He was happy and fine and now he has the company he couldn't care less

I agree that the cruel/abuse/torture comments are ridiculous and it thin people are just taking it too far you would think all these horses were in a state but if you went to visit them I don't think you could find anything wrong with them

Of course books are a form of communication. They are stories or educational,or just plain interesting. The written word is communication at it's most thought out and thorough.

We will have to agree to differ regarding keeping horses alone. I think it's cruel, as do many others. I will do my best to help prevent it if I can by appealing to those who may not have even considered they could be doing anything wrong. We all have different standards and opinions.

 

[Wagtail]

And, Naturally, I am completely chilled. Just answering the questions you raised in your post in a completely factual way.