Live in or Out? This is my question/dilemma!!!

KJJ

KJJ

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Hi Guys,

Have a 16yr old clipped TB who has just moved yards to live alone... well not alone, he has a 30yr old cow as a companion who is OBSESSED with!! (She's not so keen on him!)

He has a cosy warm stable set in 6acres (split into 3 fields)

Grandma (the cow) doesn't come in at night, just comes up for some food and chooses to sleep in the furthest field away from Jaguars stable.. which Jaguar is finding most distressing and box walking/calling for her.

Am having to go find him at 6pm in the evening (in the pouring rain) to bring him in - MOST unusual as at the old yard come 4pm he was hooning around demanding to come in!!

What do I do? Sit out the trashed beds and continue to bring him in in the hope that he will settle?

Do I let him live out? Just rug him to high heaven - bearing in mind the clip!!! Feed and leave the box open so that he can have shelter if he wishes - leaving a hay net available?!

OR get a companion pony and bring them both in at night? (Turned down a companion pony as he seemed to have ssttled nicely the first 2 nights... )

Arrrggggggghhh horses!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks in advance
 
I would rug up and leave the stable door open, I think this is an ideal situation for most horses. She won't really be any colder out than in anyway, unless your stable is heated! :D
 
Adopt a companion from WHW or another charity, there are so many looking for homes. I don't want to be morbid but Grandma the 30yo cow is getting on a bit and you could end up in a real mess if she goes. Can you not bring the cow in for a while to help settle him, she may appreciate a bit of warmth as well.
FDC
 
rhino said:
I would rug up and leave the stable door open, I think this is an ideal situation for most horses. She won't really be any colder out than in anyway, unless your stable is heated! :D
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Agree rugging and stable door open is ideal situation - horse can choose where he prefers to be. (Having just spent a couple of hours standing still in stables with farrier I was definitely much colder than first thing when I was out poo picking!)

An equine companion or two as well would make him less dependant on his bovine one.
 
Have to agree with Red Nosed Fany!

At 30 the cow is getting on a bit and sorry to say, It might not have long left. And it would be awful for your lad being totally alone and you having to rush around trying to find him somewhere to go or a companion to keep him company. Sounds like you have a lot of space so why don't go look at some local charities and adopt one to keep with your lad? you could stable both at night, or let them live out together.

I would look for a nice native, too keep the upkeep costs down.
 
Rug well and leave out with lots of haY. Once a horse has eaten there hay in the stable, theres nothing to do. They get very cold in the stable as they cant move about, I have 5 tb all out with heavy weight rugs of There o good quality feed and are as fat as butter.
 
I have a 30yr old TB that lives out now. This will be his second winter - he always used to be stabled at night all year round (yard rules) Then we moved, and had the option of living out. My three all lived out for the summer, along with the owners two horses and 4 cows. It got to winter, and I started leaving old boy in a small paddock with a field shelter overnight, so he had access to his feed without being harrassed by the two fat ponies and cows.

The weather got very bad and I tried to bring him in, stables are next to the field where my other two are. He would not stay in, I opened the stable door but he just ran and ran around the little yard area so I put him out again.

The only thing I will say is maybe work out a way to give him a haynet in the field so he can eat hay while out with the cow - our cows eat like you would not believe but can;t really get the hay out of a haynet. The cows can;t be in with the ponies in the winter as the ponies wouldn;t get a look in with the hay as the cows eat it so quickly.
 
I agree with LaurenBay - Find a companion in case the poor cow pops off. then it won't be as much of a shock! How long do cows usually live for?!
 
Thanks all - the cow at 30yrs old is doing very well and yes we appreciate she may not last much longer! Bless her!! (She is my OH's grannys cow and just keeps on going!)

Will see how my boy copes this evening when I bring him up for his dinner... if he is a lunatic! (Like lastnight) I will put a stable rug on under his medium weight T/O rug, take the door off his stable and leave his 'bedroom' open (my only concern is that Grandma cow goes in an leaves my boy stuck outside!!) LOL

Will see what happens...

Definatley looking at a companion - am kicking myself for turning down the pony that was on standby incase he didn't settle. :S
 
KJJ said:
Do I let him live out? Just rug him to high heaven - bearing in mind the clip!!! Feed and leave the box open so that he can have shelter if he wishes - leaving a hay net available?!
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I'm another who would try this option first. Over time he may be happy to stay in. :) An equine companion might be something to consider at some point though.
 
I wouldn;t worry about the cow going in the Stable, my old boy has been seen in a field shelter with the 4 cows. It was crowded........
 
Fan of living out and leave door open then but cleaning could be an issue(of horse etc).

Companion is probably a better long term option or is there someone who you could let share with you. My sis horse loved cows as grew up with them(mine was and is petrified of the alien cow species).

Funny though...........!
 
First priority - a companion. Horses should not be kept as an only equine unless there is a really good reason. You have tons of space so get the poor man a friend. (Cow could do with one too but that's another forum).

Then I would rug both equines up and leave out with access to a shelter and plenty of hay or haylage.
 
The reason he's going nuts for the cow is because he is a herd animal being kept on his own. He sees the cow as his company/lookout so will feel safer with her than on his own.

I second Rhino on the leaving the door open - stables are colder because the air is totally still.
 
Yes have tonnes of space BUT not tonnes of money.

Cow was one of 3, but the 2 other cows bullied her :( they however have gone to market.

Jaguar and Grandma have come in for the night, she has a stable next to his. They both seem happy - living out with access may be an option for long term but in the bad weather they may just come in.

Whilst I agree that horses should be with other horses, I do not believe that a single horse would be unhappy, it just depends on the horse in question.

Both horse and cow when put in a situation of company of their own kind both choose to be loners and keep themselves to themselves!

My horse's happiness is of utmost importance to me and whilst he is concerned that the cow is not around he is not unhappy....
 
Im sorry KJJ but i think you're fooling yourself on that one :(

He has been telling you by his behaviour when you've put him in at night that he is not happy on his own. Simple as.
 
TigerTail said:
Im sorry KJJ but i think you're fooling yourself on that one :(

He has been telling you by his behaviour when you've put him in at night that he is not happy on his own. Simple as.
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No I don't believe it is simple... I appreciate it is difficult to describe a situation and judge on a forum as only statements are made rather than full stories...

He moved last Sunday - has been quiet as a lamb at night everynight, infact suprised me as thought he may be a bit stressy (only to be expected with a move).... the only unsettled time was lastnight - whilst he was not normal and was wanting his friend he still ate all his hay and was waiting quietly this morning... I would never have left him in a state...

Nothing is 'simple as' you know neither me nor my horse.... yes I have asked for advice but frankly to be told I'm kidding myself is ridiculous... I asked for opinions on him living out etc... I know my horse!!

I used to frequent this forum ALOT but it was the 'judgement' other members made/curt comments that meant I stayed away.

Problem with forums is that respect wains when people are stuck behind a computer screen!

Hohum - things never change, some just like to be controversial and try to ensue arguments!
 
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OP Tiger tail was not being at all rude. You asked for help and she was giving her honest opinion which I happen to agree with. So many times people post on here with behavioural problems of one sort or another and it transpires that the horse is kept as an only horse. What you end up doing is treating the symptoms and not the cause.
 
OP, I think Tiger Tail was trying to be helpful!
If I were in your position, I would get a companion and allow access to the stable so they can come and go as they please. Good luck.
 
Perhaps I misunderstood then... but being advised I am fooling myself... and basically saying my horse is not happy "simple as" ... in my opinion is rude.

Guess there are ways of phrasing replies...

Thanks for all answers... think Grandma cow will be staying in in the warm of an evening from now on to keep my boy company until I get a companion.
 
LaurenBay said:
Have to agree with Red Nosed Fany!

At 30 the cow is getting on a bit and sorry to say, It might not have long left. And it would be awful for your lad being totally alone and you having to rush around trying to find him somewhere to go or a companion to keep him company. Sounds like you have a lot of space so why don't go look at some local charities and adopt one to keep with your lad? you could stable both at night, or let them live out together.

I would look for a nice native, too keep the upkeep costs down.
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This gets my vote. ^^^


Ibblebibble said:
do both lol, get a companion pony and leave the stable door open so that they can come and go as they please;)
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Great idea!
 
KJJ said:
No I don't believe it is simple... I appreciate it is difficult to describe a situation and judge on a forum as only statements are made rather than full stories...

He moved last Sunday - has been quiet as a lamb at night everynight, infact suprised me as thought he may be a bit stressy (only to be expected with a move).... the only unsettled time was lastnight - whilst he was not normal and was wanting his friend he still ate all his hay and was waiting quietly this morning... I would never have left him in a state...

Nothing is 'simple as' you know neither me nor my horse.... yes I have asked for advice but frankly to be told I'm kidding myself is ridiculous... I asked for opinions on him living out etc... I know my horse!!

I used to frequent this forum ALOT but it was the 'judgement' other members made/curt comments that meant I stayed away.

Problem with forums is that respect wains when people are stuck behind a computer screen!

Hohum - things never change, some just like to be controversial and try to ensue arguments!
Click to expand...

I think your being a bit OTT.

This forum is great for asking others for advice, in fact invaluable.

I don't think that people get on here and offer ideas because they want to pick on anyone, but that they want to help. Ultimatly, it's up to you as the asker, as to wether you take it or not, but don't shoot the messager please.
 
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