Keeping horse on its own but with horses in next paddock

[Marigold4]

Sadly my elderly pony was PTS last week. Now I have 3. This suits me well as if I take one away the others still have each other for company. However, one horse is now without a pair. The other two are just a strand of electric fencing away from her. She seems OK. A little down but no neighing or pacing. Do you think horses can be happy like this? I daren't put all 3 in together as she hates the gelding and would like to kick the cr@@p out of him!

 

[milliepops]

was she in with the one who has been PTS before now? do you think she is just a bit down because of that?
I think many people are of the opinion that horses should be kept so that they can contact others, but I have one who lives in her own paddock because she starts fights with everything else and she is quite content provided she can see the others next door. I'd prefer her to have a paddock buddy but it's just not worth the risk, even in a big area mine will still get violent! I would think yours will adjust, maybe just keep a close eye on her for a while and be prepared to review things if necessary.

 

[bonny]

Sadly my elderly pony was PTS last week. Now I have 3. This suits me well as if I take one away the others still have each other for company. However, one horse is now without a pair. The other two are just a strand of electric fencing away from her. She seems OK. A little down but no neighing or pacing. Do you think horses can be happy like this? I daren't put all 3 in together as she hates the gelding and would like to kick the cr@@p out of him!

I think just because she’s quiet doesn’t mean she’s happy about being on her own.

 

[SussexbytheXmasTree]

My yard has individual turn-out and most horses seem to be ok provided they can see each other and groom over the fence sometimes. I kept mine like this for 8 years. However, when I bought a second horse the joy it has given my oldie is obvious. They do get on particularly well but also now can get separation anxiety especially the younger of the two who throws his toys out if I take my older horse out without him. I’d certainly hesitate on keeping a horse alone again but sometimes it is the best option in certain circumstances.

 

[tiahatti]

I am in a similar position to you I think. My mare lives alone as her best friend was put to sleep. I was so worried about her being alone. Another livery was put with her but the other horse was young & very dominant. It stressed my girl out. She lives alone with neighbours in the next field. She does seem very relaxed. She is happy to see us & her cheeky self and she has her chilled out nature so I think its worked out so much better than I expected.

 

[Firefly9410]

Mine lives alone due to similar circumstances. There are others on the yard in various fields which are usually within sight. In an ideal world I would rent a larger field and buy a second horse but I do not want a second horse and there is no guarantee the first one would even like the second one. Mine has never settled easily into a herd generally being scared of others and panicking. I got fed up with field injuries from bully horses and difficulties getting through the gate at dinner time. So when the chance came to have my own field I took it. Now I have a chilled out happy horse who is always sound.

 

[meleeka]

Time to get a Shetland? ?.

 

[conniegirl]

Mine is on individual turnout as he attempts to kill anything you turn him out with.

 

[Marigold4]

was she in with the one who has been PTS before now? do you think she is just a bit down because of that?
I think many people are of the opinion that horses should be kept so that they can contact others, but I have one who lives in her own paddock because she starts fights with everything else and she is quite content provided she can see the others next door. I'd prefer her to have a paddock buddy but it's just not worth the risk, even in a big area mine will still get violent! I would think yours will adjust, maybe just keep a close eye on her for a while and be prepared to review things if necessary.

Yes, they were paired together but weren't particularly well bonded. Towards the end the old pony was quite frail and didn't want any horse near her, not even for a scratch.

 

[Marigold4]

I think just because she’s quiet doesn’t mean she’s happy about being on her own.

Agreed. I'm keeping a close eye on her.

 

[Marigold4]

Time to get a Shetland? ?.

I've been offered a companion but don't really want another if I don't have to. The less horse poo the better!

 

[AdorableAlice]

I keep all of mine in separate paddocks, post and rail rather electric between them. They rest together, groom over the fence (geldings only) mares don’t. None have separation issues and all are calm. I also move them around so their neighbour is not always the same horse. Having endured several field injuries over the years, the most recent of which very nearly cost Alice her life, I don’t mix mature horses.

 

[irishdraft]

Mine are all in separate fields for various reasons but all have a neighbor so seem happy enough .

 

[Bellaboo18]

As a rule I don't like individual turnout.
Ok they can groom over the fence but if they run from something they can't run together so they're then alone. That's where the stress comes from.

Having said that you have the odd one that beats everything else up or gets beaten up by anything... but if there isn't a reason I don't do individual turnout.

 

[HobleytheTB]

Personally I would never have a horse on individual turnout as they aren't able to fully express their natural herd behaviour. The exception being if the horse was aggressive towards any and all companions!

Would you be able to take on a companion shetland/ pony? Or in the short term could horse 3 go in with the mare for part of the day to give her some interaction?

 

[conniegirl]

As a rule I don't like individual turnout.
Ok they can groom over the fence but if they run from something they can't run together so they're then alone. That's where the stress comes from.

Having said that you have the odd one that beats everything else up or gets beaten up by anything... but if there isn't a reason I don't do individual turnout.

Normally i fully agree with not doing individual turnout however Cobbus is the first pony ive had in over 30 years that can’t be turned out with anyone else. He normally tolerates them for a couple of days and then pins them up against a fence and the result is normally some fairly hefty vet bills.
We have tried geldings, mares, same size, bigger horses, smaller ponies, ponies who are complete doormats, ponies who will have a go back.
He just won’t turnout with others

 

[L&M]

We keep ours separated with no obvious ill effects and are kept in adjacent paddocks. We do this as our mare can bully the cob, especially when in season.

They often stand together at the fence and appear relaxed and happy, and also stops them being too clingy which helps if we need to do anything separately...…...

 

[SusieT]

my experience is that most horses find an individual paddock sad- they are much happier with a friend.
Unless they are going to destroy their companions I would always try and at least pair up - its amazing when you watch the dynamics how much happier those with company in their pen are.

 

[spotty_pony]

My two boys lived together in the same field for 12 years. My ISH is currently recovering from a DDFT injury and has to be in a small paddock so I have separated them as my Appy is the boss and tends to herd him around and I don't want him moving around too much. They seem to have adapted to this very well. My ISH is actually more chilled alone and seems almost happier. His character is coming out and he seems more confident. My Appy is the clingy one but also ironically a loner. Once he knows whereabouts Alfie is he is happy to go off on his own. He is also very antisocial towards other horses and so I have no other option but for him to be on his own. I think it depends on the individual horse though - my mare has to have company else she jumps out!