Stable companions? does anyone's horse have one?

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BadermusPP

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I'm currently thinking about getting my warmblood a companion for in the stable/field as he gets anxious when the other horse is being ridden or goes to a show... does anyone else keep another animal in the same stable with your horse? have you got a bit sectioned off for them- if so how have you done this? I've heard about people keeping sheep/goats shetlands in with their horses but never known someone to do it - is it a good idea or not?
 
Misty had an orphaned lamb in with her for a while. We were given it and our lambs were by that point old enough to stay out at night rather than be brought in, so she came in with Misty. But then we knew that Misty loved sheep, as she was turned out with them.

They just roamed the stable together, but it was big (long as well, so could make a big bed but also have lots of space at the front).
 
I have two ponies who are often competing together and my husband has an Irish draft. He would get VERY stressed if left so has our old shetland with him. They are the funniest pair, big horse is over 17hand but the Shetland is a super little nanny and happy to accompany him in whatever field he is in. My ponies live out 24/7 but the horse comes in at night with the Shetland next door (hubby made her slip rails instead of a door) on the rare occasion mine have to come in shetland has been happy to share big horses stable, which is double sized and more like a small barn. Works well. I'm dreading the day she is no more as she's elderly...big horse is devoted to her. I also have pet sheep which thought my pony would like until we got the youngster (now best friends) but my pony got irked with them one day and threw them out of his shelter by his teeth...sheep were fine but haven't risked it since!!!

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Our Old coloured cob had her own sheep :) She had got on well with the ewe and her lambs from the day they got here. When we were left with just one she just followed the old girl in and they shared the stable from then on until the sheep died some years later. The sheep would follow the cob when they changed fields and they were very good friends :)
 
MY horse has his three companion sheep (pets), they are in the stable next to him and he can look over the wall to see them and they will often touch noses. They all go out to the field together too.They get on fine.
 
When mine was on box rest he had sheep in the pen next to him and an assortment of chickens who would spend the day in his pen with him. And very occasionally the duck would wander in too.
 
I have a tiny fuzzy of 33ins who is an excellent companion.
She has lived with a 12.2 mare, 15.1 mw mare and a 16.2 gelding and also a 17.2 gelding (the last was in paddock next door, the others all in with her tho at different times)
She had to learn to stay in a stable when she arrived but it only took a short while and I can leave her on her own for long periods either in or out.
Have not put her in same stable with her 'charge' but she happily shares the field shelters and also their hay!
not shod, but has learned to lunge, long-rein and also be led from another horse.
 
My horse is rather fond of our pigs and one took up residence in his stable the other day. The dog was sleeping in the corner of the banks and roxy deftly evicted him before making herself comfy in his warm spot!

This is Roxy, she's a pregnant kune kune due in a few weeks
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My tb has his very own Shetland! They aren't in the same stable at night as my stables are too small so shetty has a shed just opposite! They are fine in a stable together though.
He's been worth his absolute weight in gold as the tb has severe separation anxiety. We couldn't live without him!
 
RobinHood said:
My horse is rather fond of our pigs and one took up residence in his stable the other day. The dog was sleeping in the corner of the banks and roxy deftly evicted him before making herself comfy in his warm spot!

This is Roxy, she's a pregnant kune kune due in a few weeks
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Omg I loooooooove!

How cute is roxy!!!! :)
 
KidnapMoss said:
Omg I loooooooove!

How cute is roxy!!!! :)
Click to expand...

No one has ever called roxy cute before, she will be thrilled! This is a better photo of her.
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This bundle of cuteness tends to steal all the attention. Meet Cybil!
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They are the most wonderful animals, always pleased to see you and they provide hours of entertainment.
 
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Not a companion as such but my goat vaults over the stable door and joins the pony regularly for a snooze and a bite to eat especially of its rainy - he doesnt 'do' rain

Its not ideal as he has horns but no one can tell Dave what to do - he pleases himself!
 
We have a 3 year old at our yard who was sadly kept in 24/7 as a yearling one winter and is now awful in a stable and panics, weaves, dances, box walks etc. we have a 12' x 16' stable which we have put a partition with a door in and my Shetland mare lives in the smaller end and the 3 year old in the larger side. As long as the shetland is there the youngster never moves, she is completely relaxed. Take the Shetland away and all hell breaks loose!

I wouldn't feel confident leaving them in together and I think the Shetland needs her own time because the youngster is very sucky with everything and I'm not sure she wouldn't lick the Shetland to death!
 
Robin hood, oh my goodness I am so jealous, I have been trying to convince my husband we neeeeeed pigs but he won't let me! I just love yours! Gorgeous gorgeous piggies :) :)
 
Mine has a pig too ! Pig pen is in his field and they lie down next to each other. My pig is a 'micro' pig who now is 3' high 5' long and weighs 250 kg ! He came to us with his brother when they were clearly growing out of his micro tag and no one wanted them.
 
KidnapMoss said:
I have two ponies who are often competing together and my husband has an Irish draft. He would get VERY stressed if left so has our old shetland with him. They are the funniest pair, big horse is over 17hand but the Shetland is a super little nanny and happy to accompany him in whatever field he is in. My ponies live out 24/7 but the horse comes in at night with the Shetland next door (hubby made her slip rails instead of a door) on the rare occasion mine have to come in shetland has been happy to share big horses stable, which is double sized and more like a small barn. Works well. I'm dreading the day she is no more as she's elderly...big horse is devoted to her. I also have pet sheep which thought my pony would like until we got the youngster (now best friends) but my pony got irked with them one day and threw them out of his shelter by his teeth...sheep were fine but haven't risked it since!!!

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ac4389577a74b48cf91ff49fa2644311_zpsb9dfdc52.jpg
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Bless love the picture of them both sleeping
 
Oooohhh....... "Robin Hood": I just LOVE your piccie :) Can't imagine what my trad would do if he walked into his stable and met a piggy coming out :) Could be interesting.

My traddie boy has got some hens in his barn which roost up at night. There are other horses on the place, on the other side of the yard, but their building/stable block is on the back of his, so whilst he can hear other people he can't actually see any of the other horses; his field-sharer/mare is in the other block (tho' probably just as well to split them up at night when they're in). Its not that he stresses on his own, far from it, he's a very happy boy in his own place, but the hens needed putting somewhere and they roost up quite happily. So they croon away - and Himself seems very happy for them to be there.

Also the pussycats come and go as they please. So he has got lots of people to talk to.
 
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