Keeping a horse on it's own

Pearlsasinger said:
No, the statement was that having no interaction with other people would casue humans intense misery. .
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I'd like to give it a try!

which was the point i was trying to make is that some might choose it and indeed, some people do/have.

I would not keep any of mine alone for any period of time (and its illegal in Sweden where you must supply another grazing animal which I think is admirable) but I refuse to make the judgement that all horses require an equine companion because there will always be the odd few that do not-whether it's natural or learned or whatever, is by the by in that argument. Keeping e.g. a poorly socialised animal in a small space (as per many UK paddocks) with other horses it may not be able to form an alliance with would also be poor management would it not?

Forcing me to go on a cruise for example, would be extreme mental cruelty.
 
Micky said:
,its just finding the right one that won't freak when you go out!!
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its a training thing, I have three that can all be left alone when the others are worked. I am on my own yard, I cannot be doing with horses that freak out for any reason tbh. I do think mostly they need other equine company for grooming etc and cattle/sheep won't do it for them (although my 4yo loves cattle and there are lots of smoochies).
 
There is a horse local to us who lives on his own away from a road. The only company he gets is when our horses are occasionally in a paddock that backs on to his. Sadly they can't touch as there is a ditch. When my horses aren't there this horse seems quite happy and you wouldn't think he is suffering. Then you see his utter delight when our horses are in the next field and it just breaks your heart. He quite clearly wants a friend. After we move them to their usual field, he is then very despondent and 'looks for them' for weeks after.

So no, I would never keep a horse alone. Even the ones who seem ok often aren't really. I just about understand individual turnout in certain cases, for example aggressive horses, but I still think they should be able to see other horses and preferably touch over a fence.
 
I had an old TB who had been on his own for four years when I bought him. He was completely unfazed by it. He shared a paddock with another TB at our place for a while and when that one got out (tree brought the fence down) Bart elected to stay home thanks very much. He could easily have followed but he was quite happy to stay home. He did have sheep for company though.. and he liked his people (could always be relied on to turn up if we were out on the verandah in the evenings and share a beer).
Similarly we now have an aged Connie who had been on her own for several years when she came to us. She is quite happy to be in with the others but does not worry when she is on her own. I think they learn to cope. It's probably not ideal but my experience with Bart suggests some of them don't mind.
 
Individual turnout where they can see & ideally touch (if not aggressive) is fine.

Keeping a horse isolated with no other company? I would never do this. I don't think it's ever ok.

I have 4 they are turned out in one big field seperated down the middle with low electric fencing. 2 geldings in one side, mare & gelding on the other. The 3 geldings all get on fabulously but the little mare only really likes the gelding she is with & I'd be worried about bullying if I ran them as a herd.
This system works great, they each have their pair bond but they can play/interact as a herd. I can take any one of them away to ride etc & other than the initial
'Where are you?'
'I'm over here in the stables'
Type neighing they are fine.

I even purposely built my stables with half height walls between them so that even when in they have contact.

I've actually found that having a secure herd has helped all of them be happier & calmer individually.
 
Not a big fan of keeping horses alone long term as it is not natural for them. They are a herd animal, and love to play and be social. However separation anxiety can be difficult so a horse that is ok with being alone for short periods is a blessing! I know many people at livery seem to keep horses in separate paddocks to prevent injuries etc, but the horse has no opportunity to mutually groom or just stand under a tree with company, even if she can see other horses. As a human I would hate never to be hugged by another human, be able to see other people but not interact. Yes you get used to it, but it is not to say it is enjoyable! So a horse seems fine alone but am sure she would love company too!
 
Faracat said:
I knew one that had been on it's own for years and had apparently been happy. Everything went to **** (for want of a better term) when it finally had equine company again. It had the worst separation anxiety I've ever come across and had obviously suffered mentally during its isolation, but had had no choice but to deal with it at that point. Once it had company again though, it was doing everything in it's power to not be alone again.
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I've GOT one of these at the moment. She seemed entirely content on her own when I picked her up, but it took a long time for her to lose the hunted expression she had. Clearly there was a lot of stress bottled up inside. She visibly relaxed in the company of other horses, but was deeply attached to Millie for a good while. nearly 18 months into a herd environment she's unknotting to the point where she seems genuinely chilled and can cope with odd situations and being left on her own for short periods. I'd never keep one alone.
 
Sorry OP, but I think keeping a horse alone is cruel. Your horse may look fine, but how do you expect her to be? She is making the most of her situation and adapting to it. She is going to be happy every time she sees you because you are her only company. So you will always be seeing her at her happiest. I don't think people who cannot or will not provide company for their horse should own a horse (unless kept at livery or unless the horse genuinely dislikes other equines). It is part of your responsibility to provide company for a herd animal.
 
Faracat said:
I knew one that had been on it's own for years and had apparently been happy. Everything went to **** (for want of a better term) when it finally had equine company again. It had the worst separation anxiety I've ever come across and had obviously suffered mentally during its isolation, but had had no choice but to deal with it at that point. Once it had company again though, it was doing everything in it's power to not be alone again.
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This, yes I know of two that have lived alone and reacted in the same way. Prior to having company they seemed fine. Animals will tolerate a lot of things quietly if they have no other option. It doesn't mean that they are happy or fine.
 
I would always have said my share horse would have been happy on his own as he's really anti-social and kept himself to himself in the field, often 1-200m away from the others, but after 2 months box rest (out in small paddock on his own in the day and in overnight) while all the others were on the hay fields 1/2 a mile away, he's suddenly become hugely attached to 3 of the herd and all 4 (luckily my horse included) spend all day nose to tail ignoring the other 6 in the field. They're all grey and aged 19-23 so we think they've turned a bit racist in their old age! He was fine on his own but once he got back to company he doesn't want to let them go!

Likewise my friend's new pony for the kids. He did his 2 weeks isolation with no problem and would stay in his stable like an angel but now, having joined the others in the field, he hates being in on his own and nearly climbs the door if he is! Luckily there's another pony who has to come in during the day for weight reasons too so they keep each other company but they are becoming a bit dependent on each other.
 
Hi again....

Just to say...a companion has been sought...thank you all so much for taking the time to reply...much appreciated :)

Bryndu
 
rara007 said:
Thanks! That's made my day!
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It is great to see her still doing well, she has COPD and has had a couple of asthma attacks over the last 3 years, she has been with karen for 4 yrs now (I think) and the home took some finding as I was concerned about lammi in an older welsh (not ever been an issue to our knowledge) and her wind problems mean she cannot be stabled or fed dry hay at all. so at karens she has an open sided field shelter (about 24ftx10 to herself with a gate on it if needed) her own little paddock and is bedded on strips of rubber, so dust free as far as possible. my daughter wanted her back when her horse was PTS last year but I said no as we cant provide for Jools (Blossom) as well as Karen can. I think she will be with Karen for life as she teaches kids to ride on her as well as her being her daughters ride.
 
Interesting- she had one attack of bad breathing with us but we never found out what triggered it and it only happened once. She never had lami with us :) Though she was prone to fatness and she lived in a little bare patch for some of the year! She looks so well and is obviously well loved. Perfect! Thank you so much. There are good things that come of selling ponies and HHO! If Karen and you ever get into the situation you can't provide her do let us know.
 
Speedyfluff said:
Sorry OP, but I think keeping a horse alone is cruel. Your horse may look fine, but how do you expect her to be? She is making the most of her situation and adapting to it. She is going to be happy every time she sees you because you are her only company. So you will always be seeing her at her happiest. I don't think people who cannot or will not provide company for their horse should own a horse (unless kept at livery or unless the horse genuinely dislikes other equines). It is part of your responsibility to provide company for a herd animal.
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My old mare (many years ago) was one who genuinely seemed to dislike other equines, or at least take them or leave them. She lived alone for two years and was quite happy to do so. She wasn't happy every time she saw me, or phased if she saw another horse. When she later moved somewhere with company, she wasn't particularly pleased and didn't become attached to her new companions. It made no difference at all to her behaviour ridden and her handling improved (she became okay to shoe and box whilst living alone, don't know if it was related or just time with me). She was an odd horse generally though, and never showed much interest in other horses (I never saw her mutually grooming or interacting with another horse in the 6 years I owned her). She preferred to hack out alone and if in company liked to be at the front, if you started out with a group of horses and then split off and left them you could almost feel her sigh and relax when you left the others. She would kick if crowded.

I do agree in general, and I hate seeing all the single Connemara broodmares the farmers keep around here - they always look so thrilled to see another horse. I would never want to keep my current horse alone, he had about 2 months alone when we first moved house (there were horses about in neighbouring fields) and he hated it, he was always on edge and reverted to his old bargy behaviour when handled - I didn't try riding him whilst he was alone as I suspect I would have had serious trouble when meeting other horses.
 
I know a connemara pony in a nearby village who is always kept on its own for the simple reason she kicks hell out of every 'friend' theyv tried to put with her. If a horse is put in the field next to her she backs up to the wire and kicks at it. So she only has herself to blame for being kept alone.....
 
rara007 said:
Interesting- she had one attack of bad breathing with us but we never found out what triggered it and it only happened once. She never had lami with us :) Though she was prone to fatness and she lived in a little bare patch for some of the year! She looks so well and is obviously well loved. Perfect! Thank you so much. There are good things that come of selling ponies and HHO! If Karen and you ever get into the situation you can't provide her do let us know.
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thats a great back up-thank you
 
My old girl had equine company for the majority of her life.

After the livery stables closed I had no option but to stable her at the end of my garden....with a small 'paddock area ' She was retired but led out every day. I was working from home so she had a LOT of attention every day and she was happy (when you have had a horse for over 25 years you can tell) Its not ideal but sometimes circumstances force the issue. For a horse living alone a lot of interaction and love count for a lot. I don't regret it, it was either stable her 12 miles away, put her to sleep or have her under constant watch in her twilight years 50 yards away from us.
 
It's not fair on the horse.

Equines in the next field is a good compromise if it has behavioural issues (though you have to wonder how those came about!) but to keep one totally alone, is, in my opinion, very cruel.

It's the same as keeping a horse stabled 24/7. Loads of people do it, doesn't make it okay.
 
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Glad you've decided to get him a friend :-)
I'm another who would never inflict this lifestyle on a horse long term.
I have three at home but rent a field a short walk from the house, out of sight. Two of mine are living out up in this field 24/7 atm but my competition pony is stabled at home. He goes up the field with the others during the day a few times a week but the other days he gets turned out in the house paddock, alone.
Weirdly he let's me know when he wants to go see his friends for the day!
He's always VERY keen to come home to his house when he's had enough though, he doesn't 'do' living out!
I think individual turnout(I'm not keen on this as a permanent arrangement) is VERY different to keeping a horse alone, they need equine company imo!
Mine will all be reunited when the others come in for the winter with daily turnout.
 
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