Keeping Horses on Their Own - Do You?

I think it goes against nature. i wouldnt like being kept in my house all the time all by myself so I dont see why a horse would either especailly as they are herd animals. you could minimise the stress by getting a mirror, lots of exercise and toys etc but nothing compares to socialisation. in the worst of the snow mine had limited turn out, i noticed such an improvement in their behaviour when i gave them some time together loose on the yard or put the chummy ones in a box together so they could groom each other. it kept the young ones sane and kept their behaviour in check, and kept my older mare more settled and happy. i would not keep a horse alone.
 
Well, I'm preparing to be shot down in flames here, BUT ....

My first pony was kept totally on his own for the first 7 years I had him and was as happy as larry. Often he'd be turned out in a herd of cows in a huge 60 acre field, and I think he honestly thought he was a cow!!! When we went to pony club things he was fine with other horses and didn't stress out at all.

My last horse was kept in a field with one other, and they basically pairbonded, which caused no end of difficiulties if one was taken out. They'd stress out, whinny, jump at the gates, etc etc. So two horses not a good idea. Three better I think coz then you've always got the one to stay with the one that's left, if you see what I mean.

The one I have now has been in a huge yard of about 40 other horses, then at the beginning of the summer he came home to my place, here at home. I'd been promised a companion pony for him by a neighbour, but basically daughter got precious over it and wanted it at home, so my boy's been on his todd since then. There's nothing I can do about the situation. I can't afford to keep another, and don't have the time to "do two", so its not an option. The ideal would be to have another horse as a livery, but everyone's doing it around here and in spite of advertising, we're still without anyone.

He's fine, a really chilled out horse. There's loads of other horses around here, next door have five, another down the road/two fields away, horses over the other side of the valley etc and he would be able to hear everyone else whinnying to each other etc., so it could be worse. When we meet other horses he's quite happy to go away from them, and we ride regularly around where there's a stud and he sees everyone there.

I think where we are helps too, coz there's a road outside and people walking, plus lorries, buses etc all passing the field outside. Plus he's quite often out with sheep.

I'd really prefer he had company, but there's nothing I can do, for now, to change the situation. All I can do is hope for someone to come along as a livery ...... in the meantime I give him lots of tlc and make sure he's kept in contact with other horses as much as possible.
 
mines a bit strange to be honest. she seems to like her own company and is fine by herself. she does have other horses in the fields around her and she can touch and nibble as she does with the horses in the field next to hers, there not mine but she can see them. she seems happy.
only had her 3 months and she is kept at home. we both went back to the riding school i brough her from for pony camp, four weeks ago and within a few days she was very stressy and stroppy and liked her own space. got her home at the end of the week and she was instantly happy again. i think she likes her new home.
 
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Thanks for all your different opinions on this, I know that my boy would be happiest with company but I also know that his health will suffer if he doesn't come home for Winter (he needs more TLC then I can give him when he's at the yard) so I am not going to leave him where he is.

If he is in a field with other horse and they are taken away from him he goes mad but when I take him away from others and put him on his own he seems to settle very quickly.

I'll see how it goes and keep a close eye on him, I like the idea of getting a S***land as a companion if needed as I'm sure we could knock up a little lean to/shed out side Charlies stable. Would have to be on loan though as I really don't want to be stuck with another beastie :p :D
 
Seth - Is it "cruel" if your horse really DOES like being on his own?!

My horse LOVES being on his own; he totally stresses when with other horses, paces up and down and stops eating.

He has 2 donkeys for companions and he loves them - but he is just as happy on his own - as he can come in and out of his stable as he likes.

Every lunch time, he comes into his yard and sleeps for a while, eats some hay and then goes back into the field.
He likes being able to do what he wants!!
 
No, I would never keep a horse on it's own because it's cruel.

There are the occasinoal very messed up horse who can't socialise (which begs the question - what have humans done to them?!) but at best most horses 'cope' on their own and would be much happier with some friends.

I totally agree with those who said pair bonding can be a right pain in the ass, but that just proves how important company is to horses!

If my only option was to keep a horse on it's own for more than a short term temporary measure, I'd seel it instead. Every single horse I've seen on it's own has been overly quiet and depressed.
 
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