Separation Anxiety - Im getting to my wits end

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silverstar

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My horse is on his own in the field and is not really settling in the field. I cant put anything with him. If I do he gets really attached to it.

So would a calmer work? I wondered too how much another pony would cost to keep him company.
 
do not laugh but someone once told me this "old wives tale" apparently a goat can be a good companion for horses like this... and a heck of alot cheaper than another pony i imagine!
 
Why don't you get a resue sheltie or similar...I believe they always need companion homes. Your boy might initially get attached but if you are firm about taking him away (give the other some food while you are gone so it doesn't scream) he'll get used to the concept that he'll be coming back soon.
He sounds lonely, poor boy. Or you could read him bedtime stories? Hold his hoof? I'm guessing you probably have to work/study though!
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Was at a sale the other day and Welsh A's were making £45. Far better bet than a goat that eats anything including tails and escapes to where ever it wants.
 
Yes, and you'd need to make your field like Alcatraz to keep a goat in
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Although Shelties etc can be condensed evil...as someone said 'the shorter they are, the closer to Hell'.
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I bought myself (or my horse...) a companion, a 2yr old wild NF pony. Great buy and i certainly don't regret it at all! Started taking them out of the field seperately (after I managed to catch/"tame" the pony but thats a different story)and feeding them and slowly increasing time they are apart.
 
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Yes, and you'd need to make your field like Alcatraz to keep a goat in
grin.gif

Although Shelties etc can be condensed evil...as someone said 'the shorter they are, the closer to Hell'.
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[/ QUOTE ]

I LOVE that phrase!
 
I have a mirror in my stable but hes not too bothered by that.

How much would a shettie cost to keep though? I cant afford another expensive horse.

I dont really like big yards.
 
a shettie will cost you the same as a horse in terms of the farrier and vets but will obviously eat less (prob nothing) but you still have to bear in mind a shettie can get all the ailments that a horse can. Contrary to popular belief they ARE real animals and should be treated as such.
They do however, make great companions but bear in mind that if your horse gets attached to others then he's just as likely to do the same with a shettie so it may just create a different problem.
 
sheep make good companions and are a cheaper alternative ... or what about a shetland pony or a hardy native type which can live out all year round? This shoudn't be too expensive and should provide your horse with some company!
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echo what honeypots said. A shetland isnt a 'cheap' version of a horse. We bought one at Christmas, despite many people warning me not to. He needs firm handling, and needs his brain kept busy. Someone once said "shetlands : a big horse in a little body", and that's very very true. Ours is a standard, and needs clipping out 4 times a year (as his coat is that thick), and needs careful grazing management.
As much as we love him to bits, we wouldnt have another... he's a sweetie, but the words "obnoxious little git" spring to mind....
and he's cost us the same as keeping something of about 12.2hh.

If you're anywhere near the New Forest, it might be worth looking at getting something from the sales? It'd cost the same as keeping a shetland, but New Forests are known for their temperament and don't pile on the lbs so easily.
 
Two friends of mine have acquired donkeys to be companions to their horses. One is a rescue, the other was a private sale. Both are utterly delightful - low maintenance, don't try to escape, easy to handle, don't fret if the horse goes away... I gather they need shelter and rugging in wet weather but no more trouble than a pony in that respect.
 
Sorry to hear you are having problems, its not an easy one. I suppose it depends on what options you have available to what you can do to try and help him.
 
Hello, I brought a gorgeous welsh sec a for my boy when he had seperation issues - the best £150 i ever spent. He costs me £25 every 8 weeks for a trim, £17 insurance and then whatever jabs and teeth cost. I brought him a grazing muzzel (really recommend Dink Rugs) so he could go out in the same paddock and not get too fat!

Ironically i lost my gorgeous horse and now am looking for a companion for the companion - all i would say is choose wisely, my boy is very easy in every way, although a little nervy, but beacuse he has never been broken and has always been a companion he suits his roll very very well. Like others have said i was always warned off shetties but some said welsh sec a's can be a nightmare and mine is an angel so i guess it is down to the individual!!

You may find they call to one another when you split them to ride etc but if you do it slowly over the course of a few weeks they should settle and i know bribery with food always works!!

Good Luck x
 
I cant afford much so im thinking of getting one on loan from ilph or something similar. I cant really afford another horse though.

To top it off my horse has cut his chest with barbed wire last night. Absolutely devastated had a show planned in a few weeks. He did this whilst trying to get to the mares next door. Arghh
 
I wouldn't get a sheep or a goat or anything with cloven hooves as you might get hit by Foot and Mouth. If you have the animals on your farm you won't be able to move your horse and you might have to have them destroyed if there is an outbreak near you.
 
Donkeys can and do form very strong bonds with horses and can create the same seperation problems as a pony. They also require regular trims and worming, the same as any pony, and they require shelter be available 24/7/365. They also - unless you are lucky - cost quite a lot these days, you could find a pony MUCH cheaper. They are also very intelligent and get bored easily, so really need to do something. They are wonderful animals but not a cheap OR easy option.
I'm currently dealing with seperation problems with one of my donkey mares.
 
I recomend the ILPH route, or try advertising for a comapnion omn loan. there are lots of ponies who hae been retired due to minor ailments, age or because their owners have lots interest. If you try the loan route and it doent work the pony can alwys go back.

We have had a companions copmpanion on loan for nerly a year now.
 
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