Solo paddocks

pistolpete

pistolpete

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 July 2009
Messages
5,738
Visit site
So my pony has a small paddock within a field of other horses. Friends on three sides. So he’s not really alone but he seems so much happier in his own. Could it be that he’s no longer worried about resources? Could it be some ponies don’t like the contact and physical company of others. Thoughts?
 
There is a beautiful mare on the same yard where I keep Baggs and Rabbit and she is on individual turnout as sadly she doesn't get on with anything else x She's much happier on her own, doing her thing and is good as gold for her owner to ride etc, but the moment you try and introduce a second horse into the same field, she's chasing them and doing whatever in her power to get them away x Her owner says she has always been like that and it's simply what the mare prefers x
 
AppyLover1996 said:
There is a beautiful mare on the same yard where I keep Baggs and Rabbit and she is on individual turnout as sadly she doesn't get on with anything else x She's much happier on her own, doing her thing and is good as gold for her owner to ride etc, but the moment you try and introduce a second horse into the same field, she's chasing them and doing whatever in her power to get them away x Her owner says she has always been like that and it's simply what the mare prefers x
Click to expand...
Oh bless her. It’s so interesting isn’t it?
 
pistolpete said:
Oh bless her. It’s so interesting isn’t it?
Click to expand...

She's a fascinating mare - completely loving and the sweetest thing ever to exist if on her own - but when any other equine or animal is introduced into the equation she completely changes x This morning in the stable block she was happily giving me a groom over the stable door, the horse next door popped their head over the stable door and instantly she flew backwards, throwing her legs out and squealing x Then walks forwards and goes back to giving me a good groom as if nothing had happened x

Here's the real enigma - she absolutely is besotted with Rabbit my 2 year old however! She won't tolerate him being in the field with her, but she's happy to go out in hand with Rabbit and I, will walk side by side, lead , stay behind Rabbit and if I take him away from her, she plants and refuses to move x She waits every morning for him to come in and calls for him - and it is only Rabbit! Any other horse gets swiftly told where to go.....x She's the same whether she is in season or not - Rabbit being Rabbit couldn't give two hoots as he is a right foodie, so he is happy to ditch his girlfriend for a bucket of feed or haylage net 🤣
 
I don't see anything wrong with individual turnout. I never have done. So long as they have horses within sight/sniff they are fine. Sometimes it's essential for their own good. I lost a horse with a kick and Bailey had to have staples to a bad kick years ago both in herd turnout. Lari's kick cost me over 1k to treat and caused him much pain and laneness.

I don't like horses kept totally on their own with nothing else within sight. There's one I hack past that's on its own land and kept on its own with no other animals on site, and I always feel very sad for it.

I know Lari is happier on his own away from retirement, being kicked and bullied when he used to be. Most of the time we visited he was on the outskirts of the herd and had one or two 'friends' but nothing that I would say he has missed since being on his own.

It is my aim if y.o is in agreement when I get another horse that I can maybe pair them together even if it means both in the one horses paddock for a fortnight and then in the other horses paddock to alternate to allow the grass to grow. But that's dependant on a new horse being of a similar tempament and not necessarily being a given.
 
Last edited:
Birker2020 said:
I don't see anything wrong with individual turnout. I never have done. So long as they have horses within sight/sniff they are fine. Sometimes it's essential for their own good. I lost a horse with a kick and Bailey had to have staples to a bad kick years ago both in herd turnout. Lari's kick cost me over 1k to treat and caused him much pain and laneness.

I don't like horses kept totally on their own with nothing else within sight. There's one I hack past that's on its own land and kept on its own with no other animals on site, and I always feel very sad for it.

I know Lari is happier on his own away from retirement, being kicked and bullied when he used to be. Most of the time we visited he was on the outskirts of the herd and had one or two 'friends' but nothing that I would say he has missed since being on his own.

It is my aim if y.o is in agreement when I get another horse that I can maybe pair them together even if it means both in the one horses paddock for a fortnight and then in the other horses paddock to alternate to allow the grass to grow. But that's dependant on a new horse being of a similar tempament and not necessarily being a given.
Click to expand...
I’d love it if his shire cross girlfriend could have her own paddock. We could then do same. Rest one then rotate. For now he’s the only one allowed a paddock.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top