Sharing a field with others

MrsElle

MrsElle

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Can this work?

I have always either been on diy livery where each owner got an individual paddock per horse, so no mixing with other peoples horses. Then I rented my own land, so it was just me and my horses.

I have moved house and the only grazing I can find is shared with one other person. I worry that my pony will be fed treats, or tormented, or something. I even worry that he will get groomed by the other person, and what if they catch him with a brush or something and scare him? I know I am probably being a complete idiot, but I just want my boy left alone bar a pat and a scratch.

Am I being unreasonable or/and a complete fruit loop? :D
 
My only concern would be herd dynamics. I loaned a horse kept in this kind of set up, a 16.2 tb, who was constantly bullied by a 14.2 pony. He ended up being PTS with a broken leg as a result of being kicked by him (it really wasnt a one off either, he'd had several other kick & bite injuries caused by this nasty little pony, and that was in the three months I loaned him - there'd been more before too :( ) Just something to bear in mind.
 
I am sure your pony will be happy, he will have company in his field which is much better than living alone.
The other owner will probably be too busy with her own pony to have time to even think about grooming yours, just ask them not to give treats, most people will respect that and it should work out fine.
 
Horses are meant to live in herds, so your horse would prefer it.

Why would a normal person interfer with you horse?
They have their own horse to look after.

Having another person to keep an eye on your horse can only be a good thing
 
Just to add, I would never keep a horse on its own, when I had my own field I had my ridden horse and bought a companion.

I think it is probably just me being a control freak, I'm not used to sharing!
 
id be more concerened about other things, feeding, hay, water, will horse get left alone, poo picking, worming, thoose ime are what causes issues.

if all sounds good suggest creating a paddock from leccy fencing so other person can get her horse out of the way, or your horse if your happy for it to be caught/handled by others
 
I have shared a paddock, twice. Once with my ISH when i rented 5 acres just up the road from our house, and shared with another lady that also lived in same street. We both just needed a bit more room. It was no problem at all. Both horses about same size and they got on. She looked out for mine and vice versa. We did not need to feed most of the time but when we did for a short while, I think we took turns feeding the hay.

At the second place which was long term agistment my horse was always kept with one other horse. Again they were a similar size and they made sure that the horses got on okay. I had no problems at all and my horse enjoyed the company.

I never had an issue with any one doing anything with my horse, but in Australia it is highly unlikely anyone could be bothered with some one elses horse TBH.
 
I have found the following have the potential for conflict.

Poo picking
Cleaning the water trough.
Good doers in with poor doers, can be awkward.
Feeding hay in the field who puts what in and how much.
Using haynets in the field to feed hay.
Feeding bucket feeds in the field unless you can create an area to seperate.
Worming, chemical or worm count.
 
I have shared several times. In my experience its not the other owners doing stuff with my horse - its trying to get them to do their share of the work. Main conflicts (as I believe already mentioned) are: poo picking, worming, feeding in the field and the poor doer/good doer scenario.
Good luck, sort a poo picking rota out and it will be fine. Horses love the company x
 
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