Mr horse is here but problem ?

[niagaraduval]

Coss - He is eating as normal. Not box walking and stable is the same (just a few poos in the morning which is the same as usual) but then he is standing looking out of his window all the time so he's not moving around much anyway.
Droppings were fine and then soggy a few hours later, they are back to normal again now though. The first hours he was here he didn't wee, this worried me but I have seen him wee 3 times during the day when I have been there with him (I haven't been with him non stop - just going to stroke, groom, talk to him every few hours and give him a carrot).
All seems normal although he is wary. I will see how tonight goes, as there was a lot of neighing last night, I didn't sleep a wink.

I had a message suggesting a stable mirror for the moment, I think it's an excellent idea what do you guys think ? I used to leave the radio on for the horses so I thought I would do the same but horse didn't like it so I turned it off.
I'm hoping to get him into a routine ie : feed at 7 am & 6pm and regular visits throughout the day at the moment just to talk to him and let him know we are all here.

 

[meesha]

Have only read part of the thread, but just to say one of the horses next door to me has been kept on its own for a while - was quiet, didnt move around alot - not a nice horse to be around. it is now in with 2 others - runs around - much happier - healthier etc. This is an observation not a judgement. in the same vein we are told not to leave a dog alone all day with only 2 visits for company in a 24 hour period- a dog has his humans as his pack - same applies to horses - they need a herd - whether thats a donkey, pony, horse etc doesnt matter.

 

[amandap]

I think a stable mirror is a great idea to try.

The thing is, at the end of the day we can sit and say we are doing what we do for the horses but ultimately it comes down to what works for us, and horses can and do adapt to our choices. I do not understand the holier than thou people who sit and criticise others in their horsemanship skills when they themselves are guilty of instilling other such man made problems for their own horses. Glass houses and all. Everyone tries their best to keep their horses in a manner which works for them and the horse but sometimes peoples situations dictate slight deviation and I'm accepting of this. Others are not and I think they need to open their eyes to what's going on around them and stop being so judgemental of others.

I agree. None of us can provide the perfect situation and being judgmental isn't helpful in the long run as it just alienates. All we can do is continue to learn and regularly look at our circumstances and see if we can improve things for the horses.

 

[coss]

you're obviously keeping a close eye on him and its good that most of the normal motions are normal. I would be wary of monitoring his peeing on you seeing him pee- more is his bed as wet as normal.
Its normal for them to be wary initially - even with other horses about they are usually wary in a new location, he working it out. Where are the spooky corners in the field, where is it sheltered, where are the warm patches etc
I've never used a stable mirror but i don't have a stable I've heard some people rate them and some non commital statements - i guess as always it depends on the individual horse

 

[Paddy Irish]

Are you turning the boy out at all through the day or just keeping him stabled?

 

[Spring Feather]

I am not saying that anyone on this thread would do either of those things, only that I have been shocked that I have met three people over the years who have done just that.

I'm sure we can all name 2 or 3 of these types of people that we have met over the years. They stand out because there are so few. I think the majority of horse people try their best but it's not enough to pacify everyone. I say that not one of us keeps our horses in a way that is acceptable to everyone else so we should try to be a little more understanding that others are doing their best in their situation for their horse. Cruelty and neglect are a separate topic altogether and nothing I've read on this thread suggests anyone is guilty of this.

 

[Spring Feather]

Are you turning the boy out at all through the day or just keeping him stabled?

That's what I'm wondering too. There's been no mention of the horse being turned out in its field.

 

[TheEquineOak]

Horses kept on their own look miserable IMO

In this case however I do not think the OP made this move for her own convenience.

I'd see how he goes. As Wagtail has said, he may quieten down and appear to be settled but this does not mean that he is happy. There are many, many companion horses out there free on loan.

When I move my horse home he will most certainly have company. He'll stay on full livery, which costs me a hell of a lot, untill I've got the time to look after two or more horses.

 

[Booboos]

For the short term a stable mirror is a great idea and has been known to help horses that are stressing. Longer term I think it would be sensible to get him a companion, although as someone else has mentioned two horses may bond quite strongly and you may then have problems taking one away for hacks, schooling, shows, etc. The only way to find out is to try and see what happens, but I was once left with two in work (two retired but in a field further afield) and had to get a third one to break the pair up a little bit as they were getting difficult to separate.

Another thought is to be a bit weary of popping them in the stable with him, even if it is a stable because if they do have a pecking order fight or take a dislike to each other there won't be enough space for one of them to retreat to. Ideally you want them in separate stables and then turned out in adjacent fields for a couple of weeks. If all looks calm then try them together in the field. Some horses will happily share stables but they need to be good buddies first. Is there any way you could separate the large stable into two?

ERF should be able to help you if you want to rehome a rescue companion.

 

[Sol]

How does a horse express loneliness? He may call out for a day or so, but when no friend comes he gives up. Just because you have no issues does not mean the horse does not feel sad or lonely. I think that is what most people mean when they say their horse is fine alone. They mean that THEY have no issues or difficulties to deal with. It is true that often such horses then become 'difficult' when they have company. The horse is happier with company and causes problems when separated. But whose welfare are we thinking about?

How DOES a horse express anything much? Anger, fear - two obvious ones. But others... far more vague I feel. We can only really give our own emotions to a horses more obvious behaviours surely? As a person I am often 'lonely', but how to know? Can a horse in company not be lonely simply because it has no horse of a similar mind set to communicate with? ie 2 young horses whereas a youngster may just feel bullied by an older horse?
I had a horse who put in a field would choose to go and graze as far away from the other horses as possible... what does that say? My gelding did not at any point come home and look miserable, go off his feed, change any of his normal motions. He did not seem desperate for company - ie he wasn't rushing to the gate when I came out, as he often would when turned out at a livery yard with horses along side him if he didn't wish to be out or 'alone' (even if there were horses in sight technically!). In fact, the first thing he did when he came here? Went straight out and started eating. And kept eating. He's a noisy enough creature turned out at the livery yard so him making noise is nothing unusual even. My pony used to stand at the gate for a good 20 mins when we used to visit him on loan. He was in his element at home as he was a 'people' pony. Given the choice between standing with people or standing with the other horses and eating he would choose people - not for treats, or patting, he just prefered it for his own reasons. He wasn't bullied ever either. I think from seeing my own animals in various situations, I grew to know what they liked & disliked

 

[Eaglestone]

How DOES a horse express anything much? Anger, fear - two obvious ones. But others... far more vague I feel. We can only really give our own emotions to a horses more obvious behaviours surely? As a person I am often 'lonely', but how to know? Can a horse in company not be lonely simply because it has no horse of a similar mind set to communicate with? ie 2 young horses whereas a youngster may just feel bullied by an older horse?
I had a horse who put in a field would choose to go and graze as far away from the other horses as possible... what does that say? My gelding did not at any point come home and look miserable, go off his feed, change any of his normal motions. He did not seem desperate for company - ie he wasn't rushing to the gate when I came out, as he often would when turned out at a livery yard with horses along side him if he didn't wish to be out or 'alone' (even if there were horses in sight technically!). In fact, the first thing he did when he came here? Went straight out and started eating. And kept eating. He's a noisy enough creature turned out at the livery yard so him making noise is nothing unusual even. My pony used to stand at the gate for a good 20 mins when we used to visit him on loan. He was in his element at home as he was a 'people' pony. Given the choice between standing with people or standing with the other horses and eating he would choose people - not for treats, or patting, he just prefered it for his own reasons. He wasn't bullied ever either. I think from seeing my own animals in various situations, I grew to know what they liked & disliked

How right you are .... and better looked after well at home, than somewhere else standing in filth

 

[somethingorother]

This thread has made me sad. It's one thing for a horse to choose not to be with it's own kind (and i would imagine this was from a dysfunctional herd situation, or previous solitary life) or to be aggressive. But to encourage someone to keep a horse on it's own, with no choice of companionship from it's own species. Well, i'm just glad i am not a horse.

A few years ago (when avoiding uni work) i looked into horses living alone and there is quite a bit of research that showed they didn't ever relax as much, didn't get as much sleep or as good a quality of sleep etc.

There is no better thing to watch than horses in a field with their freinds, playing or chilling, all asleep in the early mornings (after a yard raid, escapees) with 2 lookouts, older horses teaching the younger to behave and two friends dozing on a sunny day. I would be as sad as the horse if i had to see it alone every day

 

[Tickles]

I read the first few and last few posts of this thread so apologies if there is an answer to this in the middle...

But can you not put him on to DIY at the yard he was on?

If you're going to be doing him yourself anyway close by why not do the work where he can be happier with his herd?

Alternatively: get a companion.

Horses are herd animals.

 

[HashRouge]

If you have the space and can afford it, I'd personally look into getting a companion for him. Yes, some horses are better on their own, either because they're bullies and a danger to the others, or they're the ones who always seem to get picked on. But most horses get on well with others and are much better off in company. They are herd animals, so if you CAN get him a companion, why not go for it? Especially since your horse sounds like quite a sociable chap
My mare was in isolation for a while when she had ring worm and she didn't seem unhappy, never called for the other horses or went off her food or anything, but she became very "clingy" around me and I'll admit it made me uneasy. Yes, it was nice that she wanted to be with me all the time, but it made me sad to think that I was her only company. I'm sure she could live on her own, but I wouldn't want to make her.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

If you have the space and can afford it, I'd personally look into getting a companion for him. Yes, some horses are better on their own, either because they're bullies and a danger to the others, or they're the ones who always seem to get picked on. But most horses get on well with others and are much better off in company. They are herd animals, so if you CAN get him a companion, why not go for it? Especially since your horse sounds like quite a sociable chap
My mare was in isolation for a while when she had ring worm and she didn't seem unhappy, never called for the other horses or went off her food or anything, but she became very "clingy" around me and I'll admit it made me uneasy. Yes, it was nice that she wanted to be with me all the time, but it made me sad to think that I was her only company. I'm sure she could live on her own, but I wouldn't want to make her.

Like.

How refreshing to read about someone actually thinking about what their horse needs/feels/wants in order to be as happy as possible, not just thinking about the impact that their horse's behaviour has on them.
We choose to keep horses for our own pleasure, they have to adapt to domestication in order for us to have that pleasure, surely it is too much to ask that they give up all their own pleasure and feelings of security as well.


OP, I quite understand why you moved your horse and in the short term being on his own shouldn't do him too much harm, unless he physically injures himself trying to get back to his former companions.
I think that you are making the best decision for him, when you are deciding to get him a companion. I will say that I do not understand why some people think that it is ok to keep a herd animal, whose normal method of communication is body language/touch, in solitary confinement for a large part of its life.