Sharing a stable at night

[hollyhardy32]

I have just bought a Shetland as a companion for my 16.2hh Irish Sport Horse mare and they get on okay, not the best of friends really but they’ve only been together 1.5 months. They don’t like being split up from each other and fight a bit but that’s it really.
The stable is 4m by 5.2m and usually I would keep my mare in this at night and out in the day…
Would I be able to safely fit two in it at night comfortably?

 

[Tiddlypom]

Not worth the risk set up as it is now. They'd be trapped in together if one kicks off.

Can you make a small separate stable for the shetland?

 

[The Xmas Furry]

It would, but I wouldn't leave them loose in together.
Can you make a pen next or in front of the stable?
Or, section off an area inside where bigger one cannot grab small one with teeth if having a bad day?

 

[ycbm]

Not if they argue in a field, but if not, I would put a barrier across one part, it looks as if it would be easy, that is low enough for the Shetland to go under if he wants to get out of the way. It's more a small barn than a big stable, at that size.

 

[Sir barnaby]

one Of our liveries tried this and the smaller one got kicked very badly as couldn’t escape threat, we were on hand and separated them straight away and made a pen just in front and outside of stable until a stable was available

 

[poiuytrewq]

I had a 16.2 and a pony who were never separated. I had had the bigger horse years and knew he’d never kick, they happily shared a feed bucket etc. With those two I never even considered there could be a problem because I knew they were fine.
Now my pony will go in with the others under a door chain but I’d never shut the door.

 

[hollyhardy32]

Not worth the risk set up as it is now. They'd be trapped in together if one kicks off.

Can you make a small separate stable for the shetland?

I do have a little shed outside the front of the stable that isn’t finished yet but it could be a shelter. I was going to use it for storage but the Shetland could fit in it I suppose?

 

[hollyhardy32]

It would, but I wouldn't leave them loose in together.
Can you make a pen next or in front of the stable?
Or, section off an area inside where bigger one cannot grab small one with teeth if having a bad day?

Not if they argue in a field, but if not, I would put a barrier across one part, it looks as if it would be easy, that is low enough for the Shetland to go under if he wants to get out of the way. It's more a small barn than a big stable, at that size.

It was previously just a barn for storage… where I keep my horses is an old working chicken farm So we put a wall up and on the other side is the tack and feed room!
The only issue is my 16.2hh mare would probably jump over a stable rope to get to the Shetland, she popped over a 6 bar gate to get to the Shetland when we took her away.

 

[HashRouge]

I personally wouldn't. I'm not sure it is worth it from a safety point of view given the size difference between the two. If you had two ponies, I might feel differently. The fact that they "fight a bit" is a massive warning sign. I wouldn't want them stuck in together, unsupervised. Could you not make a small space for the Shetland in the corner of the stable? It looks big enough.

 

[Red-1]

I do have a little shed outside the front of the stable that isn’t finished yet but it could be a shelter. I was going to use it for storage but the Shetland could fit in it I suppose?

I would make the outside shed into an open fronted shelter with a pen in front encompassing the front door of the stable area.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

No, not if they argue in the field. The much smaller Shetland could be very seriously injured if s/he can't get away. We used to have a sheep and a cob who shared shared a stable but they had been together in the field for years and we knew that the former brood mare would always look after the elderly sheep, when her sister died and left her on her own. They chose to share a stable, rather than us making the decision.

 

[milliepops]

another no as they squabble, since the pony can't get away. i think the shed/pen next door sounds like a better idea.

My young horses share a double stable, I rarely shut the gate but they are safe together if I need to, as the most they do is play and it's very good natured. I'd only consider it for pairs that get on really well.

 

[Meowy Catkin]

I would make the outside shed into an open fronted shelter with a pen in front encompassing the front door of the stable area.

This sounds like the ideal solution to me.

 

[hollyhardy32]

I personally wouldn't. I'm not sure it is worth it from a safety point of view given the size difference between the two. If you had two ponies, I might feel differently. The fact that they "fight a bit" is a massive warning sign. I wouldn't want them stuck in together, unsupervised. Could you not make a small space for the Shetland in the corner of the stable? It looks big enough.

Yes, I think the little shed at the side could be turned into a shelter for the Shetland with a run on the grass as well?

 

[Melandmary]

I personally wouldn't if they have to be shut in, in which case I would build a seperate small stable within it. I have a 16h and a 12h pony that live out and share a barn but the entrance is never shut and I would never put feed in there that would have the potential to cause an argument. They share it happily when it's only used as a shelter and not a food source

 

[Tarragon]

What a wonderful stable!
I have a friend who stables her two ponies together, and I often find my two ponies choosing to share a stable together as they have free access to two stables, but I would worry about mixing your two, at least until they are completely settled and firm friends, which might be a year or two a way, and maybe never!

 

[Nicnac]

I have a 3 sided "stable" to the side of my stables for my sh1tland with her hay and water in. She can wander in and out and say hello to the boys but can't move out of stable yard. I wouldn't put her in a stable with the boys however big it was.

 

[hollyhardy32]

I personally wouldn't if they have to be shut in, in which case I would build a seperate small stable within it. I have a 16h and a 12h pony that live out and share a barn but the entrance is never shut and I would never put feed in there that would have the potential to cause an argument. They share it happily when it's only used as a shelter and not a food source

They have access to the stable 24/7 as it backs onto the field and they do go inside it together but I think my horse thinks it her stable not the Shetland so gets a bit protective over it!

 

[hollyhardy32]

What a wonderful stable!
I have a friend who stables her two ponies together, and I often find my two ponies choosing to share a stable together as they have free access to two stables, but I would worry about mixing your two, at least until they are completely settled and firm friends, which might be a year or two a way, and maybe never!

Thank you!!! ? fingers crossed it’s sooner than a year or two! Hahah

 

[hollyhardy32]

I have a 3 sided "stable" to the side of my stables for my sh1tland with her hay and water in. She can wander in and out and say hello to the boys but can't move out of stable yard. I wouldn't put her in a stable with the boys however big it was.

I think this is the best option too! Better that they have their own space!