Lonely horse Cambridge

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MelenR

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I keep my horse at a private yard near Cambridge which can only accommodate two horses. A few weeks ago the other pony which was kept with my horse had been moved due to the owner getting a divorce and moving out. My horse has since been going a bit crazy now he is left on his own. He has started pacing in the field and has gone off his food. He is underweight and I am desperately trying to put weight on him and him stressing about being on his own isn’t much help! I really need to find somebody to rent the other stable but I can’t seem to find somebody. I have tried advertising in the local tack shops and on the internet but I’ve only had 2 replies! Does anybody have any ideas where I can advertise to try and get more people interested or is it just not the right time of year for moving yards?!

Thanks
 
Could you possibly take on another as a companion? That way you hold the strings to your horses company.

If another livery joined then unless you did things together, a horse would always be left out alone.
 
Is it possible for you to move your horse to a bigger yard where he will have company? You don't say whether you rent the land or just livery there, in which case you should be able to give notice easily enough.
 
He was ok when left for a few hours if the other horse went out on a hack or to a show. He wouldn't graze and would just stand by the gate waiting but he was happy enough when the other horse got back. I suppose it's more of a problem now because he seems to be 'waiting' all the time and not eating!

I keep him at a small livery yard. It's a lovely place, great hacking, close to home and the owner of the house is lovely. I don't really want to move and if I did I'd still need to give a months notice...

I'm a student so I can't really afford another horse!
 
If you can't get someone to rent the other stable and can't afford a second horse then you may have to consider moving yourself to a yard with company. Horses are herd animals and they need to be with other horses so he will just exhaust himself by being "on alert" all the time he is alone. Sorry to say it but your idea of a lovely yard probably isn't the same as your horse's. I would really like to keep my horse on a smaller, cheaper yard however he won't settle somewhere like that so I have to keep him on a big yard.
 
i was in the same quandry, i have taken on a companion now as a retirement home, the owner still pays for farrier/wormers/vet ect but doesnt have to do the day to day stuff, ive been topping up with grass nuts whilst we had so much snow, but otherwise he lives out with my boy and i just keep the hay rack topped up for them both.
worth looking at that option too.
 
I'm about 6 miles south of Cambridge. I'm not sure what the yard owner would say to sheep. He'd probably charge £25 a week each!!

I looked at other yards but they are all full and have waiting lists. The ones with spaces are either full livery or just too expensive.
 
Sorry to hear your horse is on his own. I wonder if a mirror in his stable might help calm him down but obviously not out in the field.
Do you not have any horsey neighbours in the lane where you are at livery to see if you can borrow an equine while you try and find another livery. Perhaps try your local riding clubs, bridleways group or even rescue centre. Try having a word with the staff at your local saddlery / feed store plus put an advert up. I have found a small pony by 'talking to staff' for a colleague this way. Good luck.
 
Could you explain the problem to the yard owner, saying you are really worried about your horse, and could you put a loan pony in the spare stable for a few weeks for free until you find someone to move there permanently and pay?

Two horses kept together usually pair bond, so your poor horse is probably devastated.

At a push I could lend you one of my retired ponies, but I keep mine at home so don't pay rent, and don't want to! I would supply or pay for his feed and hay etc. Worth a try?
 
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