Sheep.

[Stinkbomb]

Inkys field friends the two colts have gone away for summer grazing

They were really only there to help us with the grass and now thats gone they've gone elsewhere!Inky still has his friend the section b gelding so he's not alone but it does provide us with a problem if one of us want to take our horses out. We both cant afford another pony so thats out of the question. The only other alternative that has been suggested is sheep. Do sheep really work as companions?? Do horses take to them like another horse?? And what are the problems associated with sheep for the horses?? Any farmers can answer my questions???!!

 

[Chex]

I don't think they see them as companions, although maybe they do if thats all they've got. Chex completely ignores the sheep in his field, they generally run away if he goes anywhere near them

 

[Bexaco]

Its luck of the draw really I think! Some horses such as mine dont like sheep, others love them. Goats are slightly more horse like, and my horse seemed to prefer them. Might be worth a try though

 

[alfirules]

before i got alfie he was kept alone in a field with sheep and when i turned him out after trying him he ran over to them neighing and obviously thought much of them!

 

[PaintboxEDT]

oh yeh we got one sheep to keep my mini company,when we use to bring her in at nite he would follow her in to the stable from field on his own no leadrope,it was great they were best mates,so i would say yeh they are fine

 

[rema]

My lad is out with six sheep.He ignores all of them apart from his black faced friend (the rest are white faced).They often have a chat or share Flints tea!.I think Flint like his sheep friends.

 

[mollymurphy]

I was always told goats were a better option. Would you consider them?

 

[mickey]

My horse is out with sheep and goats. The sheep he is a bit wary of, the goats he occasionally terrorises. I don't think either are ideal for HIM but it depends on the horse. Sheep are great for eating all the rough pasture down.

 

[Stinkbomb]

Prob not consider goats as TBH they scare the sh*t out of me!!!! ( but dont tell anyone!!! ) Hmmm differing reactions to sheep, probably only know if i got one whether it would work, although Inky would prob try to bonk it, it being a similar size

 

[not_with_it]

My horse has a goat for a friend. They are best buddies. The goat even follows us to the arena when I ride.

 

[Christmas_Kate]

G was rather 'thrown' into this sharing a field with sheep malarkey

.
At first he was so fascinated by them he chased them and I thought he was going to kill them. He's not got about 15 of them in with him. He still chases them, but only to make sure they're close by. He can often be seen curled up asleep with a few lambs curled up with him.
I'd say go for it. Fantastic for the grass, and good companions.

 

[merlinsquest]

Merlin used to share his field with about 100 sheep and lambs... I had to be careful about the new babies as I was worried about him hurting them... as he used to see the mums as fair game... especially if one was a bit old or hoppy!!!

However if all other equines left the field (only 2/3 others out with him) he would panic and fly round the field... scattering sheep as he went!!! If he was turned out on his own first though he didnt worry!!

 

[buzzles]

My minature is out with 5 sheep at the moment. I havn't put him in with any of the other horses/ponies yet as I think they might knock him flying and even though he can see and talk to them over the fence he was still a bit lonely and so I put the sheep in with him and he's much happier! He doesn't really interact with them but they always hang out together. He is the boss though and if there's food on offer he charges through them and they know to keep out of his way!! I did have to be careful about introducing the ram to him as the ram is actually bigger than the pony and he can get a bit rough and headbutt if he gets annoyed but they've been fine so far! All the other horses go out with the sheep as well and they're all fine, I just have to be careful about the horses chasing any lambs as they don't know to get out of the way as quickly as the older sheep.

 

[SpruceRI]

Aagh sheep, that's how my Shettie, Inka learnt the art of head butting I think. He watched the ram and ewes doing it and thought he'd join in!

Think he was initially confused as to his role in life as he also used to help the farmer round the sheep up, or very much enjoyed running through the middle of them to scatter them!

Worst thing was though, that if any of the sheep came near his food bowl he'd kick them.

 

[pagancluf]

Sheep eat horses' tails, lol. I worked at a race yard and one horse had a perm companion sheep (called lamb chops, bless) and he would go to the races with the sheep in the horse box as got anxious if separated - seemed to work for her, but my friend has goats with her horses and they also eat the tails if not enough grass!!! One ex-racer near me is out with young cows and is really happy, but cows are more expensive? Good luck with your companion!!