What to do? (Horse being kept alone)

tonitot

tonitot

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My horse is currently kept alone and isn't happy at all. She looks happy enough to people who don't know her inside out like I do so I can tell she isn't. She isn't completely isolated, she has other horses in field surrounding hers but can't touch any over the fence. She relies on two pairs of mares in the fields opposite her and when one pair comes in she starts to stress, pacing up and down and calling. Sometimes she goes mental, and charges round the field full pelt bucking and snorting. I think she's worried that once one pair is brought in that the other will be and she'll be left alone, although my friends always bring her in before they get their horses in (they own one of the pairs of mares) I really want her to go out with other horses but everyone else on the yard has their own two or more horses and keeps them together in their own fields and there isn't room in them field for her to join. She did have one other mare go out with her every now and then but this horse is a trotting racehorse and very valuble to the owners, after Ethel kicked her the other day they don't want to put her back out with her :(

She is in no way nasty to other horses, just she is the boss and will let the others know it when they first meet and then she's fine. I'm reluctant to move yards as the yard is very friendly despite having pretty much no facilities and I like it there, plus I've worked at/helped out at pretty much every yard in the area whilst growing up and know that I don't want to take her to any of them (all sorts of reasons)

The YO doesn't want anymore liveries until the spring. I could buy another horse/pony but then theres more problems. I can't really afford to keep another big horse and the only stable we have free is tiny so thats that pretty much out. A pony would fit in the stable and be cheaper to keep (you'd hope!) but its still another £90 a month for livery plus feed, hay, straw, insurance, vet bills, farrier etc which all adds up. Plus the fencing is awful, the YO is meant to be fixing it but so far hasn't touched it and so I'm very lucky Ethel respects fences, one who didn't could easily get out.

I put hay out for her and she munches on that but when the others come in and she doesn't she still stands my the gate and stares at the yard, calling for a bit, then goes back to her hay, then stands by the gate etc. When theres no hay she paces up and down, calling constantly.

I'm not sure what to do, it makes me feel awful thats she not happy and can never totally relax as she should when turned out :( Does anyone have any ideas?

Also, I'm sorry if this makes no sense .. I kept forgetting bits, then remebering other bits and tried to keep it all together but I think it ended up a bit jumbled .. sorry :p
 
I know you like your yard but I would be seriously thinking about moving. I couldn't bear seeing my horse stressed out like that. They are herd animals and need the company of other horses. Some horses can cope alone but the majority do need company and your mare is clearly not happy.
I'm sorry not to be able to come up with a better solution, you must be worried sick about her. I know you don't want to move and you say you've been on most yards but there may be something eg. private person with a few horses wanting company, farms who keep horses, or rent field where you could get a companion horse with no extra livery costs etc. It's hard to think about moving when you like the yard, and get on well with the people but if you do decide to move you may be surprised at how well things turn out - happy horse, maybe more facilities.

The only thing I can think of if you can't move is to put a sheep in the field with her. I've heard that this can sometimes work.
 
How about getting a pony ,and finding a child or two who would pay to ride it so some of the ponies keep would be covered?
 
Is it really impossible for your girl to join another pair or group?

If the fencing is that bad, then maybe the YO could consider removing one of the 'tired' fences between 2 of the paddocks & so then there would be more room for a girls group?
Might be worth tactfully mentioning this to YO?
 
I thought most of you would say move which is what I think I may have to do. I did think about getting a pony that kids could pay to ride or loan to help pay for, but it's not gauranteed I'd find someone :/ There is one yard I haven't been to, very close to the yard I'm at now and I've emailed the person in charge. Better facilities etc plus I know my mums friend used to loan a horse there so could get some feedback from her. We'll see how that goes ..

MrsD123 - can't remove her hind shoes, she had spavins in her hocks which require shoes with raised heels until they're better.

The Fuzzy Furry - She was in with one of the pairs of mares originally, but thier owner didn't want her in there anymore because of the grass. There is a field big enough for her and one of the other groups to go in but the other horses owners dont want to go in there as it's quite a walk from the yard and as it's approaching winter they're all happier staying in their fields close to the yard. Could maybe try the idea of removing the damaged fence and joining into another field, but it's whether the mares owners would agree to her going in there, which I don't think they would :(

I'll have a look for a private person or field to rent and find out some more about this other yard.
 
Poor girl :( I feel for you. I've been at my current yard for 18 months and it's lovely - they can touch and groom over the fence but my horse had been on individual turnout and always seemed very happy. I (accidentally) got another horse a month ago and put them in together. It's now like her happiness has gone up another level. I think I'd underestimated just how important being right next to another horse, without a fence in between, is to [most of] them.
 
If you have another its more work(have been here and got a companion that was a pain) Double poo picking etc. Honestly move yards be much easier for you. Start involving other people ie finding someone to ride another pony ....much easier to move. Your horse is unhappy.

Mine is often alone and he does not call. He does have others over the fence he can see and nuzzle throughout the day. He is on his own at night. If its calling constantly it is stressed out.
 
Oh I do feel for you, it's a difficult situation especially as you like the yard.

I was going to suggest a couple of sheep or it possible you could get a mini? We have a mini at our yard for a companion & he is great fun, a bit of a bu**er but no real trouble. He is never rugged and only gets fed a token amount just because the others are fed so he really doesn't cost much to keep. He is also an amazingly good doer as we have hardly any grazing & he maintains condition very well - perhaps a bit too well at times.

If you like the yard & it's possible new liveries will arrive at some point then it's worth considering - you could maybe even loan one for the short term so your costs are reduced again when you get a livery field companion.

i didn't look at your location & I can't get back to it whilst I'm typing, but I know someone who may be prepared to lend you one if you're in Devon/Cornwall.

Good luck x
 
Let me know if a space comes up at yours Claire! :)

She can nuzzle the horse in the stable next door at night as they have a window between their stables but that's about all she gets unless I let her out into our little bit of the yard and she talks to all of the horses over their doors.
She doesn't call constantly, if both pairs of mares are out then she's quiet, once one pair is taken away she gets worries and calls out if another horse calls. If both pairs are taken away she calls a bit more, but never constantly. I can just feel that she isn't happy if you get me. She was alone for a month or so at our old yard last year whilst the new owner sorted out moving her horse there. I thought she happy then but seeing how much she changed when he arrived I saw she had just become very reserved and that is what she is like now :(
 
I could see about getting a sheep or goat and see what the YO says about that, not sure how Ethel would be with one. There were two at our old yard but can't remember if she actually got on with them. Long way from Devon/Cornwall, I'm in Kent, thank you though. My friend has some minis, I could see if she has one I could borrow :)
 
Yes that's a bit too far! Never mind, but maybe your friend will lend you one. It's a solution that may keep you at your yard until someone else comes along.
 
you need a holding number and flock from DEFRA to keep sheep, which can raise complications with the yard owner.
 
I'll be seeing her tomorrow so will be asking if i could possibly pinch one of her little horses :p if not then I may just move her, just thought of a road near me that has many hidden yards so will do a search around there :)
 
MrsHutt said:
Here's a thought:

http://p2trc.emv2.com/HM?a=ENX7CqksJfwQ8SA9MKJNGO_nGHxKLM0zDfcStGb5lw8W0bBhOG5mpqVsje_Hhe-lfVPl

:D
Click to expand...

There are some alpacas down the road from me. They often have horses in with them and the horses are in their little herd, and the alpacas are seperate from the horses in their herd (even though they are in the same field).

Plus my mare flipping hates them which is progress from her original opinion that they were horse-eating-wild-beasts and that she shouldn't go anywhere near them or their field. ;)
 
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