Those with more than 1 horse - do you lose that 'special connection'?

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Ahrena

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Okay, well basically I have a young welsh cob who I'm reschooling, and its obvious she isn't gonna be up to competing for a long while (100% my own fault, did way too much last year)..So we've been thinking and we can afford, and technically have time for another 1, in which case I'd buy a slightly older one so I can continue to compete meanwhile.

However me and this welsh cob have a really good relationship, and I love her to bits, but if I was full time working & riding another horse, would I be risking losing some of our bond?

I do already have another horse, but due to a very serious injury last year, although she'd physically capable, I only have her in light work and not up for regular competing.

I seem to be collecting horses a bit at the moment -laughs- But yeah, we can afford it, and I have time for it, but I'm worried that because I'd be working with the new one 5/6 times a week, (as well as my welshie), I'd lose that special one-to-one ness?

Can't really relate to it with my other horse really as she's only ridden once or twice a week if that.
 
If I ride my husbands horse, my horse gives me some very funny looks, he was pretty put out when Echo arrived! But, I've had him over 10 years, and he know's he's the special one. If we're having a cuddle, and another horse or a dog comes near, he will drive them off in a quite obvious, 'bugger off she's MY owner' thing.
 
I have two and love them both lots!! Obviously feel much more of a bond with Spider as ive had her for longer I know her inside out.

But I spend equal time with them both everyday
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I've found that it takes a little longer to bond with the newer ones but I've only ever owned one horse, just had lots in for training etc. Now that I actually own two it's great although B was v jealous for a while.
 
Jammers is my baby and we have a very special bond - but I adore the pony too.....

I have had a couple of jealously issues with mine so I had to get my Mum to do stuff with the pony so that we could lay the ground rules as it were.
 
I have two who are both very different. I love them both loads and don't feel the bond is any less than it would be if I had one. However, I think you need to have the time to spend with them, as that's how you create the bond. If I had any more, I doubt I'd have enough time to devote to all of them to develop good bonds, if you see what I mean
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I have 9 and they all have their special little ways with me, we have a total of 50 on the stud and I don't have any problem with any of them. If I call they all come running so I don't think to the horse it really matters how many other horses you have, as long as they are fed, watered and kept in a good routine.
 
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Okay, well basically I have a young welsh cob who I'm reschooling, and its obvious she isn't gonna be up to competing for a long while (100% my own fault, did way too much last year)..So we've been thinking and we can afford, and technically have time for another 1, in which case I'd buy a slightly older one so I can continue to compete meanwhile.

However me and this welsh cob have a really good relationship, and I love her to bits, but if I was full time working & riding another horse, would I be risking losing some of our bond?

I do already have another horse, but due to a very serious injury last year, although she'd physically capable, I only have her in light work and not up for regular competing.

I seem to be collecting horses a bit at the moment -laughs- But yeah, we can afford it, and I have time for it, but I'm worried that because I'd be working with the new one 5/6 times a week, (as well as my welshie), I'd lose that special one-to-one ness?

Can't really relate to it with my other horse really as she's only ridden once or twice a week if that.

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Sounds like you've managed to trash two horses already - are you sure want another one?
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LOL - just kidding!
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You've just been unlucky, really.
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Seriously - I do think one can have a special bond with more than one horse. Lots of top riders have more than one 'special' horse - no reason why us ordinary folk shouldn't be able to do this as well!
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My big old horse knows he is the most special thing in the world to me. However I've been sent a horse to take hunting for the season - well more of a pony!! She is a total superstar so I am liking her more and more but no horse will ever take the place of the big one. I feel so bad when I plait the other one up and take her hunting for the day because we used to do that twice a week for years and now he just can't in case he goes wrong again.

I think horses are the same as dogs characterwise. My dog who I've had since a puppy has such a character. The longer you spend with them the more it comes out.
 
I've got 9 horses at the moment and love them all to bits. I love them all for their individual little quirks that make them who they are. I find it really rewarding to ride different types of horses and to be able to get a nice tune out of them all. I don't think I have a favourite as I adore all of them! I have an exceptionally special bond with 4 of my horses, but I think when you have horses you don't always get a special bond with each horse you have even if you only have one. It all depends on how much you click with that horse! Some horses you will naturally get on better with than others - just like people
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No - I have two who are like chalk and cheese and I love them both. Mind you, they don't like each other - deeply jealous if I'm with one and not the other.
 
same here - have 7 and although 'my' horse looks up everytime I'm paying attention to another horse and we do have an 'extra' special bond - all the others know full well they are loved and cuddled - even if it's only a couple of mins each most days

what I don't do is spoil them though by giving them lots of titbits to make up for any 'neglect' that I might think they think is happening (if you make sense of that)
 
If that were true people would only ever have one child. Yes, I would say I was busier now with two but think the OH is missing out more than the two neds. I think Willow will always be a mommy's boy and when junior's being a pratt am soooo glad I've still got him. If anything it's made me appreciate him more.
 
No not at all. Its a different kind of bond really with each one. I have an oldie that is cheeky and stubborn, we know each other inside out, its like "going home" when I get on him.

My young loan horse is more honest and I enjoy him just as much but have to think a bit more.

Another one we have just sold, again I knew him well and we understood each other, you just have a different relationship with each one!
 
Very true - the two I already have are like chalk and cheese - the one who is now in light work is a TB type, grey, a bit lazy, very spooky, fast but needs encouragement to be so, and not with a lot of talent, my welshie is a bay roan, a cob, very fiesty and firey, a handful, very fizzy with a lot of talent.

But I'm already reconsidering as I had such a lovely time with them last night, do I really need another horse just so I can compete? I don't want or need another just to have for the sake of having, I'd have it more with the sole purpose of competing and not sure if I want that...Plus when my welsh cob is up and running properly, I don't think I'd want 2 to compete ect..Hmm I dunno I'm gonna have to think it over I think.

But yeah thanks guys hehe
 
No I don't think so. I have a bond with both my girls. However I do wish I could spend more time with both of them and it was nice when I just had one to concentrate all my time on her
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No but get used to the guilt complex.

Each one of my boys knows how to make me feel bad for spending time with the other one. They definitely compete for my attention, especially the one I compete on. He hates me being in the stable with my other one - sticks his head over the wall (internal stables) and pulls faces.
 
I like having more than one because you learn to appreciate them for what you admire in each. My oldest mare i love becasue shes safe and i can take her anywhere any time and she never lets me down, one of my others has a dual personality and keeps me on my toes and i feel like im learning everytime i get on her, my yearling is special because he relies on me, others come and go and as a horse lover i love each one that comes along but when its time for them to go its rewarding to find someone else to love them just as much as I did. I've had my oldest mare over ten years but amjust as close with my other two permanent horses. I dont feel guilty when spending more time with one than the other, i know i spread my time love and money on each equally, so have nothingto feel guilty about.
 
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