Keeping horses at home - pair bonding dilemmas!

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chestnutx

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I have 2 ponies on our own field and no surprise they have become quite bonded. My husband has put some removable wooden bars across the entrance to the field shelter so I can shut the little pony away whilst I ride my boy, but before I had even tacked up the little pony had somehow got over/under and then barged through electric fence onto hard standing to where I was tacking up! I'm supposed to be doing dressage on Sunday (although weather forecast is also putting me off) I'm dreading it because of leaving the little pony. I've been out once since we moved for a lesson and we took the little pony, whilst I rode she went mad and my boy was neighing his head off, little pony reared up and got her foot caught in her lead rope, luckily my dad came too and he untangled her, unloaded, and tied up outside trailer where she could see me and she stood happily enough.

So should we put a proper gate on the field shelter and put up with the left behind horse going nuts or always take two wherever I go or consider purchasing a third? We have 5 acres so plenty of grass, the only problem with getting a third is persuading the non horsey husband!

Thanks
 
I don't think you will be able to go off on Sunday leaving the pony behind without possibly having a disaster to return to, a gate will not stop a determined, stressed out pony from escaping if it chooses to.
Having 2 can be a real problem if they really cling together, you either need another pony, look at rehoming from a charity or you need to work on the separation step by step and find out what works to enable you to leave the mare behind but it will take time.
 
I would have a proper door made for the stable, top and bottom, and get pony used to being in it alone while you ride out, building up times that you are away. You may well have to shut the top door initially. A gate is likely to end with a leg through it and an injury.

Another option, to get you to your show, would be for someone else to take the pony out for a walk perhaps that day, but it would have to be someone capable as he will probably play up.

I would definitely think of getting a third pony. It would solve a lot of problems!
 
The best would be a third horse. I used to have this issue. No amount of separating or trying to get them used to being apart seems to work long term. I tried to take one away for few mins and increase the times over a period of weeks and she did get better at knowing my boy wasn't going to abandon her and would always come back... But then I stopped this as daily routine and she reverted back to needy reliance on him so could try if you're dedicated at keeping it up more than I was!
 
I keep 2 at home. we have to securely stable which ever is being left behind and that includes shutting the top door. We also found that its best to hack out daily or at least 5 days a week as the left behind one then learns its friend will return, if taken out intermittently all that happens is the left behind one is terribly stressed. mine have now gone from rearing and kicking out the back of the stable [!] to just neighing a bit and a bit of box walking. it is distressing but they evenually settle.
We used to have 3 but when we hacked out 2 one was still left behind and so it defeated the object. we did go to 4 [ 2 horses and 2 ponies] but its a huge commitment in time and money and each horse needs looking after , not to mention extra hay and field being churmned up and tbh the 2 left still neighed and created. its not so simple as to just get another one.
 
Thanks for replies so far, if I do go Sunday I'll take little pony and my dad to look after her whilst we compete. I think getting another one would be so much easier but like horsesforever1 said if my daughter and I want to ride out together then we will have the same problem again. Although at the moment that isn't a problem as my daughter is only 5 so we only hack within seeing distance of our field. Such a pain, almost makes me want to go back to a livery yard!
 
Why has this become such a big deal? Whenever I've had 2, if one goes out the other is left in the field to deal with it, if the horse decides to run around then it does, but pretty soon it settles once it gets used to the fact that it is a daily occurence to be left alone or ridden out alone
 
ridefast said:
Why has this become such a big deal? Whenever I've had 2, if one goes out the other is left in the field to deal with it, if the horse decides to run around then it does, but pretty soon it settles once it gets used to the fact that it is a daily occurence to be left alone or ridden out alone
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Yes I know it does seem silly, and some do cope on their own but I have also witnessed a horse run straight through fencing before and am worried about this happening.
 
Hi there,

Sorry to hear about your issue - very frustrating! When we had just the 2, our little guy would complain a lot but we tried a combination of things. A lot of ride & lead so he didn't get left all the time for hacking & useful for his fitness too! When he had to be left throwing hay over the fence kept him occupied. We have access to a stable but would rather leave him out - could you strengthen current fencing or add electric to stop him barging out..? Maybe a treat ball or something if he's food oriented?

You might never completely overcome it - our little gelding is still a right pain if we take both boys out to a competition as he screams the venue down when they're out of sight of each other - but you might at least make it a bit more manageable. Agree with others that a 3rd might not be the answer as you'll never be able to take 2 out at once :)

D. x
 
I have two at home, with the little one I just make sure he has plenty of hay in the stable and he doesn't care, the big horse though goes nuts if left at home on his own, but the more I do it the more quickly he settles.
 
We have always had 2 at home, one would turn out alone the other wouldn't (- he'd just get more stressed and run further and I like him too much to risk the injuries). For the most part they were both stabled when left alone and quite happy with that arrangment.
 
I have two at home and we manage by lots of variety in both horses' routine and repetition so they know the other is coming back. I ride out with friends (both horses) compete, go to clinics (young horse) and lunge or school at home (both horses). I always stable the unridden horse because I know the field will get trashed otherwise!
If I leave them for a few days they start to bond more so I do ride a lot! Repetition is much easier than another horse!!
 
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