quandry over field company

mandwhy

mandwhy

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So I have found a perfect field to rent, it is 5 mins walk from my house, cheap, good grass, well drained, reasonable shelter provided by hedges and trees, big enough to divide in two, hooray!

However I have a dilemma in that obviously I am only planning on the one horse. There is one gelding there at the moment who is up for sale with no plans to replace, so he will be there for a while and I could obviously advertise for someone else to rent with me (it is such a ludicrously convenient position I don't see why they wouldn't) but what if I can't find anyone? Would it be more effort than I imagine to get a small pony? Can you loan them off charities etc without taking full ownership? Obviously I would happily give it love and attention and hay but I would be concerned about the financial responsibility of two when it comes to unexpected vets bills or even just the insurance!

Then I am also a bit worried about separation anxiety, it is next to a very busy main road so I don't want any jumping out shenanigans!

What if I advertised for a sort of retirement space? I really wouldn't mind the extra poo picking and care, I just really want to make this field work for me!
 
I wouldn't keep a horse alone, but loaning a companion will have the same running costs as a rideable one. If I were you, I would advertise now for someone to co rent with you, ideally with 2 if the field will allow so one is never left behind.
 
You could try to find someone else to share with which have the added bonus that you would have help when you are sick or cannot look after your own horse for any reason. However, you do have to find the right someone else and the right other horse. The person you share with may even have an unridden pony which would make it easier if yours is not good at separation.

Would the field take 3 in total? It is just that having just 2 can cause separation issues. If you then have 2 extra and one leaves you should at least always have company for yours.
 
Maybe see if you lend some sheep? They dont get separation anxiety and also help manage grazing
 
What about loaning a second rideable horse, getting a sharer for it, which will help with both costs and care duties, plus it gives you a riding buddy. This situation gives you full control over which horse, how its kept and who rides it, so maybe easier than having a livery?
 
That would be an ideal situation sugar and spice! I would just worry if I could afford it with the added insurance and shoes and whatnot. Would love to do that when I have more money as I am a student at the mo! Sheep could be an idea or other animals, is it quite the same though? I don't know if it would take three horses, maybe one and two smallish ponies.

I do secretly want ponies and would be nice to have someone to share transport and go on hacks with etc (although hacking is not very good here but its not much better near the nice livery I was looking at either).
 
Are you able to take your time and find a sharer? is there room for 2 + a little one perhaps?

I have a similar dillemma....I have 2 horses and will have some issues with separation...also I would like some very occasional help and someone to share a cuppa with!

I have decided to take my time, ask at the local tack shops and not rush to find a sharer. Before you rush out and get another just think of all the worst case scenarios...I only have 2 as one of them is retired.
 
We took a young pony on loan when I first brought my horse home. We did get some seperation issues, and ended up getting another! You could take one on loan AND advertise for a field sharer, so you'd always have one if the sharer moved.

Or you could take two rescue ponies on loan perhaps - if barefoot, they wouldn't cost much to keep, insurance isn't too much for diddies, and foot trims are cheap. Just have to keep a good eye out for lami, otherwise I found the ponies much cheaper than horses to keep at grass.
 
Maybe a big one, a middle one and a mini one! Goodness me I can just imagine explaining to non-horsey friends why I felt the need to buy THREE instead of just one!

I would probably end up worrying more about lami prone little ponies than the big horse as the grass is a bit too good, at least at the moment.

I met a nice teenager the other day (a passing horse admirer), I did think it would be nice to have a nice younger person who wants to go to all the shows and I can be all like 'oh alright you twisted my arm!'!

I have to admit I do like the sound of being the boss and not having to compromise with someone else sharing the field, it's not that I am bossy, in fact I am too laid back for my own good and prone to get walked all over!
 
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