What sort of field companion?

Snowy Celandine

Snowy Celandine

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 April 2010
Messages
24,920
Visit site
I'm thinking of moving from full livery to renting my own field and I'm going to need a field companion but I'm not sure what type of horse/pony to get as I've never needed to do this before :confused: Has anyone got any tips on what's best? I need a companion that would benefit from a similar regime to a native pony so I thought another native pony would be best and was thinking of a Welsh Section A because I've always loved the look of them but I know nothing about them and I'm far too big to actually ride one myself so maybe this is a really daft idea?
 
I have thought about an older horse but I've no previous experience of older horses and am worried that I might not be sufficiently in tune with their particular needs. I'm going to have a few stable management lessons before I take my pony out of full livery so I suppose I could ask about the care of older horses at this point. I am acutely aware of my lack of experience and I really want to do right by any horse in my care. It feels like a big responsibility and I am looking forward to it but also feel a bit nervous.
 
I recently had the most wonderful little Section A on loan as a companion. She was a sweetheart but rather too good at her job. Unfortunately, she had to be returned as her and Archie got so, so attached. He was okay if he left her but she called and called and it proved a problem when we returned to the field ... she set him off and he just couldn't wait to get back to her.

In hindsight, if I had to have another companion I would get two so the one in the field was never left.

Also, I got elbowed out of the herd, if you like. I was surplus to requirements. Archie's attitude to me changed. I didn't like it.

Good luck x
 
To be honest, when it comes to hardy ponies, I'm not sure that age necessarily makes much difference on a day to day basis, except perhaps when it comes to feeding or if they need supplements for something (which a vet would be able to help you with anyway). My pony as a child lived to around 30 and she never had anything different to the others, except that we rugged her more readily. My 17/18 year old pony now is treated pretty much the same as always except that he has a supplement for stiffness and is kept rugged warmer than he used to be.

Obviously you'd need to be aware that there may well be extra costs involved in caring for an older horse but I honestly wouldn't let it put you off. I'm sure there are plenty of little ponies out there just desperate for a retirement home. :)
 
I will, hopefully, have three ponies in the field, including the companion pony. I want to be able to take the two ridden ones out hacking one at a time by myself but then there will be a problem if my husband wants to come out on his pony with me and the companion is left on its own. It all seems so complicated :( At the moment there are other horses in an adjacent field (and alpacas over the lane :eek: ) so I think I might need to talk to the owners to see if they are going to be kept there permanently as that may solve my problems :confused: I feel so inexperienced and must be coming across as a total idiot but I really want to get things straight in my head before I commit myself to this plan of action.
 
I got myself a Sec A to be a companion for my mare whilst she was turned away due to injury as she would do her nut in when she was left on her own whilst I was riding 'tother one.
Worked grand until I started to bring it back into work - sec a would jump anything to avoid being on her own.

Personally I'd get a goat.
 
Spudlet - I wasn't sure if the charities would consider me because I am experienced at riding and handling ponies but not looking after them on a day to day basis :confused:
 
Celandine said:
Spudlet - I wasn't sure if the charities would consider me because I am experienced at riding and handling ponies but not looking after them on a day to day basis :confused:
Click to expand...

Well you can only ask the question:) After all it is not rocket science, just common sense a lot of the time IMO.
 
A goat :eek: I love pygmy goats but I think you need to get DEFRA licences and stuff for them don't you? I'd best not make things any more complicated :p
 
Spudlet - once I know if I've secured the grazing I think I will go ahead with your idea and contact the horse charities. I guess the worst thing they can do is turn me down. I love the idea of giving a "homeless" pony a nice life :o
 
The Blue Cross have some lovely companion ponies up for adoption and I'm sure they'd consider you, especially if you took some stable management classes. There are also some on the Redwings website or Wood Green Animal Shelter, though obviously it all depends on where you are.
 
Do you?! I've always wanted a goat, OH won't let me have one...so I'm trying to convince someone else to get one and name it Hector. Needless to say, I'm not getting very far!!
 
Hollywoozle - do you know if the charities have to be close enough so that they can make regular check ups? I'm in Yorkshire and not sure where my nearest horse rescue charity would be. I'm sure it will be easy enough to research though with the aid of the internet :)
 
World Horse Welfare have one or two as well... three pages worth in fact, I just found!:eek::D

Virgil the little old shettie sounds very sweet:)
 
I daren't actually go and look at any of the horse charity websites yet in case the field rental plan falls through. I fall in love with ponies far too easily :D
 
I think an older pony is best as they they tend to not mind so much being left as a youngster. Section As are lovely if you are happy to cope with the weigfht restrictions, but if you already have a native you must be used to it. I would also get the same sex as your horse - mares and geldings on their own in a twosome get much more joined at the hip than just mares (for instance).
I have 3 mares so one is often left, they are all fine but better in a stable than a field.
 
Oh goodness - I've not been able to resist looking at the charity websites and I've found a cute little gelding called Sherbert. He looks really cheeky :D

Clodagh - I've got a mare and we're hoping to get a gelding for my OH very soon so I think, from what you've said, that we will definitely need a companion.
 
Hmm, just looked more closely at Blue Cross site and it says they only let you adopt a horse if you live 55 miles or less away from the rescue centre. I live an hour and a half away from the nearest one so I'd better start looking for one closer to home.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top