Lonely Pony?

[Moobli]

What are the signs of a lonely pony?

My pony is kept in a hill field with sheep and alpacas, although I have never seen him interacting with either. He has other horses over a fence, a single track, then a wall - so not immediately next door but he can see them - or at least smell them. Since getting him nearly 9 years ago he has almost always had the company of another equine until he lost his field mate earlier this year. As I said in another thread, I am looking for a companion for him but I can't see a mare, that sounds as though she might fit the bill, until the end of this month. He seems to be coping okay right now but I would like to know a) the signs of a pony that is stressed at being left alone and b) are there any field toys I could safely leave with him and whether these might help. I try to spend as much time as possible with him each day but, even with the best will in the world, it is usually only a couple of hours a day at most.

His field is currently just a 5 min drive from where I live (and I can see it from my living room and bedroom windows). I did consider bringing him to the field right by my cottage, but there is just too much grass for him and he would have to be entirely alone or with our pet Highland cow and I wouldn't trust her horns!

 

[splashgirl45]

i think they hide their feelings quite well, some of them retreat into themselves and go quiet,.....there are so many horses and ponies in rescues that are companion only so im sure you will find one soon. if he has sheep and alpacas in the same field he may feel secure enough with their company but not actually interact with them..good luck with your search..

 

[Moobli]

Thanks Splash. I don't see any noticeable differences in his behaviour but, as you rightly say, he could be hiding his loneliness.

 

[catroo]

They don't always show any distress, leading owners to think they are fine.

But in my experience they then go completely OTT when they do then have company again and their distress at being all alone is obvious.

Imagine not speaking or interacting with another human, sounds fine for a day or two but for a week? For a month? Longer?

 

[Moobli]

Thanks Catroo - that is exactly right. I just know when he gets his new companion his pure joy at having a friend will be evident.

 

[milliepops]

They don't always show any distress, leading owners to think they are fine.

But in my experience they then go completely OTT when they do then have company again and their distress at being all alone is obvious.

Imagine not speaking or interacting with another human, sounds fine for a day or two but for a week? For a month? Longer?

^^ this

My sec D was kept on her own for a lengthy period before I got her. She had this subtle look in her eye that just told me she never truly relaxed when she was alone - always had to be on alert for monsters She immediately became completely besotted with Millie on her arrival, and is a bit pair-bonded now even though there are other horses around her all the time now. Poor little mite. She's lost the edgy look at last but I'd never want another that had been kept alone for any length of time. Her owners genuinely thought she was fine as she didn't look distressed, as such - it was really subtle.

 

[Carlosmum]

OP, I am in exactly the same position. My pony is home alone now after his field mate was pts. I am looking for a livery now as I don't really want the expense of another horse, so as its early days i shall see how things progress. My biggest issue is the old boy was our ridding escort, until i can get another 'escort ' we are stuck to riding round the farm as I am not confident enough to take him on the road without company.

 

[Moobli]

OP, I am in exactly the same position. My pony is home alone now after his field mate was pts. I am looking for a livery now as I don't really want the expense of another horse, so as its early days i shall see how things progress. My biggest issue is the old boy was our ridding escort, until i can get another 'escort ' we are stuck to riding round the farm as I am not confident enough to take him on the road without company.

Could you look at an alternative as a companion - such as a Shetland or a donkey maybe? Then you could keep your pony at home without the expense of livery, or of a more expensive companion?

 

[Carlosmum]

Could you look at an alternative as a companion - such as a Shetland or a donkey maybe? Then you could keep your pony at home without the expense of livery, or of a more expensive companion?

I see your point! What I meant to say but looking back it came out wrong... I am looking for a livery to come to live here as I now have an empty space! I would love to take on a Shetland or similar but I think OH might have something to say. Perhaps when number one son finally gives me grandchildren it will be the excuse I need!

 

[Ernest Doodles]

When I had to separate my two, as one had to go on box-rest (Cushings & threatening to go Lami), my cob refused to eat anything (unless I was standing over him as he munched from his bucket). He refused to eat hay given. He refused to eat any strip grazing offered. He just stood in the field, head hung low looking very depressed. In the end, I had to move him to the side where the other one was on box-rest so he could graze outside the shelter she was shut in. He ate for England then

I think provided your pony is being 'a pony' in the field, he's probably ok.

As for toys - I've got a couple of Jolly Balls (one peppermint smelling and the other, apple) They're both in the shelter with the ill pony ... I say that ... but every time to go the check on her, these balls have been launched out of the shelter - lol!

I hope you find his perfect companion soon. You sound like a lovely, caring owner and he's very lucky to have you.

 

[Moobli]

I see your point! What I meant to say but looking back it came out wrong... I am looking for a livery to come to live here as I now have an empty space! I would love to take on a Shetland or similar but I think OH might have something to say. Perhaps when number one son finally gives me grandchildren it will be the excuse I need!

Ahh I see

 

[Moobli]

When I had to separate my two, as one had to go on box-rest (Cushings & threatening to go Lami), my cob refused to eat anything (unless I was standing over him as he munched from his bucket). He refused to eat hay given. He refused to eat any strip grazing offered. He just stood in the field, head hung low looking very depressed. In the end, I had to move him to the side where the other one was on box-rest so he could graze outside the shelter she was shut in. He ate for England then

I think provided your pony is being 'a pony' in the field, he's probably ok.

As for toys - I've got a couple of Jolly Balls (one peppermint smelling and the other, apple) They're both in the shelter with the ill pony ... I say that ... but every time to go the check on her, these balls have been launched out of the shelter - lol!

I hope you find his perfect companion soon. You sound like a lovely, caring owner and he's very lucky to have you.

Ha! I laughed out loud at the description of the balls being launched out of the shelter

Thanks for your kind comments. I can't wait for the breeder of the pony I am interested to return from her holiday so I can go and see the potential companion. I keep telling my pony he won't be on his own for long - but not sure he is listening to me

 

[Dry Rot]

I think questions like this are best answered by another, "What happens in Nature?". Do wild horses stay on their own or in a herd? I would assume a solitary horse or pony to be sick or banished from the herd for some reason. It can't be natural, can it?

 

[Ernest Doodles]

I think questions like this are best answered by another, "What happens in Nature?". Do wild horses stay on their own or in a herd? I would assume a solitary horse or pony to be sick or banished from the herd for some reason. It can't be natural, can it?

He's not entirely alone, he has alpacas and sheep in his field to help 'keep watch for danger" so he can relax but yes, in the natural state horses would be in small herds, roaming the land freely.

 

[milliepops]

I think it's great that the OP has a plan in place to deal with it, but I don't know whether horses really do see animals of different species as being "company"? I know you get some that develop a bond, but I'm thinking of my sec D as an example - she was surrounded by cattle in neighbouring fields while kept on her own, but clearly didn't consider them mates, or capable of spotting horse-eating monsters.

 

[Ernest Doodles]

I think it's great that the OP has a plan in place to deal with it, but I don't know whether horses really do see animals of different species as being "company"? I know you get some that develop a bond, but I'm thinking of my sec D as an example - she was surrounded by cattle in neighbouring fields while kept on her own, but clearly didn't consider them mates, or capable of spotting horse-eating monsters.

I much prefer animals to humans so, guess I'm judging by my own 'book cover' Was your Welshie ever in the same field as the cattle?

When I first got my cob, there was a mix-up with Blue Cross so, his companion didn't arrive until the next morning. I was mortified as, there were no fields close by with horses in them. It was a long night. Anyhow, when I went to check on him the next morning there he was, standing in the shelter, with a little black and white cat sitting amongst the flax bedding next to him, merrily washing its bum. I kid you not, that is what happened.

Naturally, the moment Caramac arrived, my cob was over-the-moon - to prove the point that same species is preferable.

And a black cat is currently doing the self same thing in the shelter where Caramac is being housed on box rest, keeping her company. All very fascinating

 

[Dry Rot]

Wild animals and birds often form associations, presumably on the premise that two (or more) pairs of eyes are better than one. No reason why horses shouldn't prefer the company of other species for the same reason. So, maybe no lions and tigers in the British countryside but the instincts will still be there. I know that when I followed packs of beagles and harriers, you'd often find a hare lieing where a crow would be pecking around for grubs. Spot the crow, find the hare.