Mr horse is here but problem ?

[niagaraduval]

The horse has finally got here (brought him round earlier to his new home) he was v. upset but has calmed down but is still standing at the window facing his old home and the horses there. He has been stood there for 5 hours now moving occasionally for a bite here and there but that's it. He is constantly calling to another horse (who is calling back). I al getting upset now, I really thought this was the best decision for all of us.

Does he need more time to get over it or does he NEED another horse ?

Can horses get used to living on their own ?

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

Here we go lol!!!

I'll get my oar in before this goes sky high

My gelding lived on his own for 5 years before I got my mate, he was fine. I got my mare then she got injured so took her away and he was still fine. He's in a field on his Todd in sight and sond of horses and he's not looking for them or even calling back when my mare calls at him, so yes t answer your question they can.

The problem is that he can hear his fieldmates and they are calling back he will settle down but it may take longer with them shouting at him.

 

[hmeikle]

In my experience they don't get used to being by themselves. I think you will need to get him a companion pony :-(

 

[Paddy Irish]

He's bound to be stressy if his herd have been left behind...what was the idea behind this move as it seems that you weren't keeping him very far away anyway? If you're going to keep him away from his friends , could you consider a companion?

 

[pinklilly]

Some cope better than others, mines currently on his own and is fine as my other one is away on a months trial. I won't be keeping him permanently on his own as I think it's a bit unfair. I think you will have trouble getting yours to settle if he's within sight / earshot of his mates though.

 

[niagaraduval]

we took him home because there are no other yards in the area and he was constantly stood in shite, not fed etc. We wanted him home to look after him ourselves and know who was riding and looking after him (me).
He is stood looking out of the window, he's a bit jumpy but he always is. The mare is shouting to him and he is shouting back. I have been to see him about a million times since he got here (about 5 hours ago) but it's dark now and even with a torch I can't see much.

 

[Wagtail]

Sorry, but no horse should be kept on its own without a very good reason. Some do get used to it, but they are herd animals and keeping them away from others of their kind is cruel IMO. Lone horses have been shown to sleep less than others as they are in a constant state of alert. I would never even contemplate keeping one on its own.

 

[luckyoldme]

Very early days for him.... I know horses who live on their own with no bother at all. I wouldn t rule out a companion but i wouldn t be rushing into it either. No doubt you will get the usual crowd of folk telling you about herd instincts and all that but each horse is different.

 

[darkhorse123]

Not getting into the argument of should they be kept alone or not - have you ever had the loveley warm feeling you get when you turn your horse out at the end of the day and they run to their friends in their field - give each other a loveley groom or whatever.

Its magical and beautiful. If they can live alone i do think its better they should have this interaction

 

[Paddy Irish]

When you say he's looking out the window , do you mean he's looking out of his top stable door? I presume in the morning you'll turn him out to grass so i guess you'll have to be prepared for some running around and silliness . Are you planning on a companion , or just going to let him get used to being alone?

 

[Kayfamily]

My mare's on her own, when I got her I didn't like the thought of her on her own so put her in with others. She was awful, she turned into a proper bully, after nearly double barrelling me a few times I moved her back home by herself she's now much happier and so I am.

 

[luckyoldme]

The fact you have moved to a place on his own, just goes to show you are not as experienced as you would like to think, get him a companion asap before he stresses himself into illness or hurts himself

ouch i feel your pain op... how very unhelpfull.

 

[Lil Ferg]

Sorry, but no horse should be kept on its own without a very good reason. Some do get used to it, but they are herd animals and keeping them away from others of their kind is cruel IMO. Lone horses have been shown to sleep less than others as they are in a constant state of alert. I would never even contemplate keeping one on its own.

This exactly.

 

[niagaraduval]

He is stood at the window at the back of his stable looking out. He doesn't seem to be calling too much now. If he was ok on his own (baring in mind my parents no longer work and are always there to be with him etc.) but if there is no chance of him getting used to being on his own I will have to invest in some sort of companion for him. I know loads of people who keep their horses on their own, I didn't think it would be a real problem. I hope he will be better in the morning when it's light and we can all go and groom him etc.

 

[coss]

Some manage fine. My first pony came from a riding school and was kept on her own fine for several years. We then ended up with 2 more horses and she was very much bottom of the pecking order and at one point fell down and other horse continued kicking her - think at that point she would have preferred her lonely life!
My dominant mare bless her was as i say, a dominant mare, so even in a herd situation, she was leader and therefore got very little sleep- In the 14 years of owner her i could count on one hand how many times i saw her laydown for a rest ass she was guarding her herd. Without other horses she was an even bigger stress head though.
My current pony was in a herd (more than 5 horses) before i bought him, brought him home and he was with my dominant mare, hefreaked a little when taken away from dominant mare (when she died-in the field, not pts) and got several cuts but not because he was on his own, only because he wa trying to get back to protect the mare's body. After a few days he settled on his own. Due to personal circumstances in october i had to move him to a place with other horses though he was on individual turnout - he was ok but was generally stressed with all the goings on. Brought him home a couple of weeks ago, out of sight and sounds of other horses and he is so relaxed, lays down in the field. 5 hours isn't a very long time to be judging if your horse will cope. If in a week or 2 he's still stressed, not eating, losing weight etc then i'd reconsider getting a companion but you've got to allow time to adapt.
He also didn't even bother trying to call for other horses - went straight to eating and normal behaviour

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

The fact you have moved to a place on his own, just goes to show you are not as experienced as you would like to think, get him a companion asap before he stresses himself into illness or hurts himself

And you have just shown your ignorance. Who are you to tell OP she's not experienced, it's replies like the above that really show character IMO.

 

[SusieT]

Get hiim a small companion pony, problem solved.

 

[coss]

would also like to add that in the wild - in herds, horses get expelled from the herd and end up on their own... horses are designed to be able to adapt to this as well.

 

[Paddy Irish]

Are there any rescue centres around your area in France where you could try for a companion pony?

 

[ISHmad]

Wagtail said:

'Sorry, but no horse should be kept on its own without a very good reason. Some do get used to it, but they are herd animals and keeping them away from others of their kind is cruel IMO. Lone horses have been shown to sleep less than others as they are in a constant state of alert. I would never even contemplate keeping one on its own'

I completely agree with this. It is sad to see horses unable to groom, interact or socialise with other horses.

 

[niagaraduval]

Just been to see him, he has come over to see me at the door and gone to his haynet. Which he didn't do before.

I will see how he is tomorrow, it's very windy and rainy out there now.. I will not rule out a companion pony, I am doing the best for my horse, I, my parents and grand parents have owned horses all our lives. I do find it upsetting seeing the way some people talk on here, but it's easy to pre judge and hide behind a computer screen.

I know horses are herd animals, but he doesn't get attached to other horses and as I have several friends who keep there horses on their own and it was BETTER FOR THE HORSE to get him out of there (like people advised me on this forum) I brought him home. If he needs a companion I will find him one. I am not some inexperienced cruel person wanting to make my horse unhappy.

 

[coss]

Just been to see him, he has come over to see me at the door and gone to his haynet. Which he didn't do before.

I will see how he is tomorrow, it's very windy and rainy out there now.. I will not rule out a companion pony, I am doing the best for my horse, I, my parents and grand parents have owned horses all our lives. I do find it upsetting seeing the way some people talk on here, but it's easy to pre judge and hide behind a computer screen.

I know horses are herd animals, but he doesn't get attached to other horses and as I have several friends who keep there horses on their own and it was BETTER FOR THE HORSE to get him out of there (like people advised me on this forum) I brought him home. If he needs a companion I will find him one. I am not some inexperienced cruel person wanting to make my horse unhappy.

and some horses in a herd don't get on well and leave the herd and end up on their own. and unlike where there are wild horses, there are fewer predators that will harm the domestic horses (certainly in the uk and i would think in france?) and i'm fairly sure they know that...

 

[depurple1]

If there is a lack of decent yards in your area, could you consider offering a DIY livery space? Your horse would have company, and you could get a little bit of income and/or help with chores?

 

[Wagtail]

My mare's on her own, when I got her I didn't like the thought of her on her own so put her in with others. She was awful, she turned into a proper bully, after nearly double barrelling me a few times I moved her back home by herself she's now much happier and so I am.

This is one of the rare occasions where horses are best on their own, though I very much expect her antisocial behaviour may have been brought on by being kept in isolation at some time before you got her. Either that or some other social problem such as being severely bullied herself.

 

[luckyoldme]

Just been to see him, he has come over to see me at the door and gone to his haynet. Which he didn't do before.

I will see how he is tomorrow, it's very windy and rainy out there now.. I will not rule out a companion pony, I am doing the best for my horse, I, my parents and grand parents have owned horses all our lives. I do find it upsetting seeing the way some people talk on here, but it's easy to pre judge and hide behind a computer screen.

I know horses are herd animals, but he doesn't get attached to other horses and as I have several friends who keep there horses on their own and it was BETTER FOR THE HORSE to get him out of there (like people advised me on this forum) I brought him home. If he needs a companion I will find him one. I am not some inexperienced cruel person wanting to make my horse unhappy.

this one allways gets the forum going.... its daft ,
It is quite shocking how some people take out their frustration on the keyboard. Your horse has just moved to totally new surroundings and will not calm down and feel confident for a while. It would be mad to make any big descisions based on his behaviour in the first few weeks of a new environment. I think.

 

[tazzle]

Horses are like humans ... social animals ... and like humans most "need" some company / interaction to be mentaly healthy and will suffer if isolated.


Like humans there are some who will choose to be on their own and even do better on their own.

Like humans if choice limited and lone living imposed then the lone human / horse may accept / get used to ..... but that does not mean the horse / human is "happy".


We have to look at what is usual I think when making choices for our horses and by default assume our equines will do better with company than without...... unless they demonstrate otherwise to us

If circumstances mean we have to choose for safety to have one on its own for a while then of course safety comes first .,,,,. but as you said OP ... he is currently upset so if he continues to be so then perhps he is telling you how HE feels about wehther or not he wants company.

 

[Paddy Irish]

I'm sure your boy will settle down in a few days , when he's turned out to graze he'll settle down to eat hopefully...i can understand your reason for moving him although standing in shite was probably more of an issue for you than him , as being part of a herd is pretty important to a horse that is used to this life ( i know plenty who live alone but that isn't your horse at this point of his life ) time will tell wether a companion is needed or not and like another poster pointed out , it's only 5 or 6 hours so it's early days. Try not to get too stressed yourself as your boy will need you more than anything to remain chilled and positive , good luck with him anyway . Al

 

[Roasted Chestnuts]

This is one of the rare occasions where horses are best on their own, though I very much expect her antisocial behaviour may have been brought on by being kept in isolation at some time before you got her. Either that or some other social problem such as being severely bullied herself.

Why does there have to be a reason behind it??? The hose may just NOT LIKE being in a herd. my horse came from a herd he was used to discipline youngsters BECAUSE he's an aggressive wee bugger in a herd. He tried to kick the crap out of my 17hh TBxID when I firs got him and he tobers my mare constantly and I popped him in with baby pony and he leathered her as well.

He's happier on his todd and I'm happier without the injuries

 

[Wagtail]

would also like to add that in the wild - in herds, horses get expelled from the herd and end up on their own... horses are designed to be able to adapt to this as well.

Yes, and it is a living hell for them. Being expelled from the herd often spells death. They are in a constant state of fear.

Just because horses appear to cope and stop calling etc, does not mean they are okay on their own. It is known as 'learned helplessness'.

 

[YorksG]

Horses expelled from herds often 'team up' with other horses also expelled from herds, in the wild.
This horse was not expelled from the herd, he was removed by his owner.
I cannot comment on why that was, but would strongly suggest that he is found other equine company asap. Very few social animals cope well and have good mental health if they have no social contact with animals of the same species. That is why humans use solitary confinement as a form of punishment for humans who break social rules and laws. It is known to cause discomfort and to be an unwelcome state. The same applies to all social animal species as far as I am aware.