Stalled and alone at night?

[cdunc09]

Whats your guys opinion on stalling a horse at night alone? I'm thinking of building a 1 horse stable on my property with a run attached. There's a big pasture with a few horses down the street from me (easy 1-2 minute walk) and he could go there during the day and have group turnout so he can still socialize. What do you guys think?

 

[Spotherisk]

No horse of mine would have settled in such a situation (one would have jumped the door to get away).

 

[Jenko109]

Mine would be absolutely fine with that set up.

 

[Highmileagecob]

If your's is anything like mine, he would have escaped by morning and gone back to the herd.

 

[ycbm]

Does he have to come in at night?

I'd be happy with that situation of he was in during the day for up to 8 hours with hay and to be ridden, but I'm not sure about alone all night.

Have you thought about muck collection, storage and removal? It can be a real problem.

 

[Birker2020]

Mine would be absolutely fine with that set up.

Lari would have been totally fine, I've never met such an independent horse. Bailey would have coped, but maybe not as well as Lari.

 

[cdunc09]

Does he have to come in at night?

I'd be happy with that situation of he was in during the day for up to 8 hours with hay and to be ridden, but I'm not sure about alone all night.

Have you thought about muck collection, storage and removal? It can be a real problem.

The field doesn't have any shelter and since I'm in southern Germany, we often get a lot of snow, especially overnight, so I would just prefer him to be in at night so he can be warm and dry off. I'll possibly ask the owners if 24/7 turnout is possible in the summer though as I would prefer that for him when the weather is nice.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

If the other horses are fine overnight, why do you think yours won't be?

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Just get a shelter for the field and leave him out.

 

[cdunc09]

If the other horses are fine overnight, why do you think yours won't be?

The other horses aren't out overnight either. They have some stalls, but are full. Also it seems in my area of Germany (maybe also mainland Europe), its not super common to have 24/7 turnout, especially in the winter. Seems most common to have them in overnight here. When I lived in the US (granted the weather was warm year round), I had my mare out 24/7 in a herd, but doesn't seem common here from what I can find.

 

[cdunc09]

Just get a shelter for the field and leave him out.

Unfortunately, it's not my property so I can't just do that

 

[Carlosmum]

Mine is an 'only pony' there are other horses nearby, but he lives alone, comes in at night and this time of year has the company of the sheep and cattle in the yard.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

Unfortunately, it's not my property so I can't just do that

Sorry I misunderstood I thought the turnout was on your property, why don't you get 2 stables built and then buy another horse

I think he may be OK with that set up maybe take him back there and see how he reacts before you buy the stable if you can.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

The other horses aren't out overnight either. They have some stalls, but are full. Also it seems in my area of Germany (maybe also mainland Europe), its not super common to have 24/7 turnout, especially in the winter. Seems most common to have them in overnight here. When I lived in the US (granted the weather was warm year round), I had my mare out 24/7 in a herd, but doesn't seem common here from what I can find.

So he's going to be alone at night whatever you do?
I second the suggestion to get another horse to keep with him

 

[Widgeon]

With enough food I think mine would settle in that situation despite being alone.

Can you try it and see? I think that'll be the only way to find out. If your horse is generally quite chilled and not stressed away from other horses you might get away with it just fine. If he's worrying, you'll have to reconsider and find an alternative solution.

I would not buy another horse just to keep yours company overnight in the winter.

 

[cdunc09]

Sorry I misunderstood I thought the turnout was on your property, why don't you get 2 stables built and then buy another horse

I think he may be OK with that set up maybe take him back there and see how he reacts before you buy the stable if you can.

I wish I had enough space and money to get another one

 

[cdunc09]

With enough food I think mine would settle in that situation despite being alone.

Can you try it and see? I think that'll be the only way to find out. If your horse is generally quite chilled and not stressed away from other horses you might get away with it just fine. If he's worrying, you'll have to reconsider and find an alternative solution.

I would not buy another horse just to keep yours company overnight in the winter.

Yeah, getting another horse is just not an option at the moment so that wouldnt work. I'm not making the decision anytime soon as I want to send him to some more training anyways and then possibly see if we could make it work. I guess I am more worried that he would be lacking in socialization, but I also think with plenty of food and human contact (I work from home), he wouldn't be too upset.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

One of my horses would be fine with that set up the other one would not be happy so it's just down to the individual, what is he like in general can you leave him on his own in situations?

 

[nikkimariet]

I had to do this with current one when I lost the other one unexpectedly. He was fine on his own for a few months but noticeably happier back with company (he is still in his own routine to suit me and will stable/turnout by himself for short periods).

 

[equinerebel]

Mine wouldn’t cope, but others would

 

[Ratface]

Mine wouldn't cope. He's always had company. He screams, yells and tears about if he's left alone, even if it's only for a few minutes.

 

[Cortez]

He’s going to be alone at night anyway, so he might as well be in a stable. In the winter, in Germany, the opportunity to give him some extra feed and a break from the weather is probably an advantage.

 

[Highmileagecob]

Think you will just have to try it and see how it goes. Maybe install an acrylic mirror in his stable - some horses settle immediately if they 'see' another horse. If you can get him in a routine, it will come easier.

 

[Cortez]

Think you will just have to try it and see how it goes. Maybe install an acrylic mirror in his stable - some horses settle immediately if they 'see' another horse. If you can get him in a routine, it will come easier.

Not every horse is neurotic and unable to cope without other horses, in fact it is a distinct advantage to get them used to being solo and will enhance their future training if they can be taught to be happy when out and about on their own. None of my horses has been herd bound, I’ve always made sure they can be safely and happily left alone, whether in paddocks, stable or lorry. It’s part of their early training.

 

[Timelyattraction]

All 3 of mine are happy to be brought away from the herd and stable alone day or night. Cant see any horses from the stable so i guess it depends on the horse. You can only try and see x

 

[Crazy_cat_lady]

Mine would have been fine with it but he was rather aloof. I had him in overnight all year round and in the summer he was one of the few in, and he never had anyone next door, and he was fine in his little bubble, he was also turned out with a small group but was also fine turned out alone

I couldn't have a horse that wouldn't be stabled - how would you cope with cases such as an injury?

 

[SpotsandBays]

One of mine is absolutely fine on his own as long as he’s got food. My little ponies are usually always together but if I had to bring one in overnight the most either of them would likely to is call out. My other one is quite herd bound but I think would cope ok providing I put measures in place.

 

[seriously festive equine]

My mare coped in exactly the same situation as you have described absolutely brilliantly! Depends on your horse though lol

 

[MuddyMonster]

Mine would be absolutely fine with that set up.

So would mine.

He's often the only horse in at night before 24/7 turn out stops for the year. He gives precisely 0 hoots about it.

I've had horses that would hate it though so it's partly horse dependent.

 

[cdunc09]

He’s going to be alone at night anyway, so he might as well be in a stable. In the winter, in Germany, the opportunity to give him some extra feed and a break from the weather is probably an advantage.

That’s also what I’m thinking. I want to make sure he’s getting enough feed to keep up his weight through the winter.