Where to look for companion pony

Definitely try the rescue centers, both the big national charities (WHW, redwings etc.) and smaller local ones. I'm sure they would be very willing to help you find something suitable for your needs.
Keep in mind tho what are the nutritional needs of your current horse/s? try and get something to match, little ponies who live on fresh air sound great but if you have a 16.3 warmblood who needs hay in the field etc. then you'll struggle to keep them together.
If you have ponies already who need restricted grazing then something that needs hard feed to keep weight won't work either.

I have a friend who spends more time making tiny paddocks/ soacking hay/ fixing muzzles etc. for her companion than she does riding her main horse! I'm sure she regrets her small cheap to keep companion pony!
 
polos mum - yes thats true Ive got a 16.3 who lives out so I dont really want a horse Id be constantly having to restrict his grazing.
 
If you get a pony I would go for nothing too teeny and then hopefully a muzzle will do in summer! I have given up with ponies and now have a companion horse, much easier and he gets fat on fresh air but hopefully without such a high lami risk.
The rescues wouldn't let me have a horse as I don't have post and rail round all my paddocks, so I recommend pre loved and ads in tack shops.
 
Then I'd certainly avoid the little 'fresh air' ponies! The hassle of throwing a rug on a bigger pony/ horse for a few months in the winter is far less than keeping weight off a fatty 9 months of the year !!

WHW have a 14hh unshod mare who can live out with a rug all year at their Penny Farm location (Blackpool) which I'd guess isn't too far from you? They also usually have lots more that they have advertised on their web site so definitely worth a call.
 
Preloved, I'm very very near you and found one for free on there when we needed one. Infact if you hadn't had decided you wanted something other than a pony I'd have offered her to you on loan!
 
Shame you're not in my area, I free loan my elderly sec a out as a companion to local owners, he is an ideal companion, his only issue is sweatictch, which he wears a rug for, other than that he can graze on anything and not get lami. He's just come back from my sister after keeping her mare company during her box rest, he spent the summer in a pen outside her stable so she could see him.
 
I hope you find one. I got assessed by a local charity and my only requirement was good with farrier and as I had to come along the road good with traffic(to see farrier). Unfortunatly after driving 3 hours to the rescue centre the only thing that was non existent was the road! They had tons of lovely ponies good with feet but no one knew if they were good on road as they were in middle of rural area! Aggh.

But they had plenty of nice ponies...just make sure it does what you need to do with it ie leading, left on own if you go out etc etc. good luck I ended up buying one...yes I bought a companion. I tried finding someone to use a field FOC to keep mine company. But couldnt find anything.The only good thing is they do know and assess the ponies. Good luck.
 
A fair few breeders of Natives are reducing their broodmare bands and are looking for companion/hacking homes for their mares so they continue to have a use. More so in Shetlands and Welsh than in the other breeds. It may be worth looking into.
 
As posted above Blue Cross offer companion ponies and a package of support to go with them. They also have field officiers who inspect what you are offering before they agree to a loan to you, and then provide information and back up. The field officiers also undertake 2 x annual visits to ensure you are keeping pony to agreed standard.

They have two equine centres and regular open afternoons when you can go and visit the ponies without any obligation.

Over the years we have had a number of companion ponies, from different souces, and I would recommend the Blue Cross scheme as being the most professional and best to work with.
 
Any of the charities would be a good start. I have had 2 ponies from WHW, the support from the field officers is second to none ime. One even offered to come and hold my old girl to be pts if I couldn't face it.
There is also Happa which rehome in Cheshire.
 
Whats that charity where the founder died on Christmas eve..??? Happy Horse Hooves or something -they had all sorts to re-home - and you could be doing someone a huge favour by taking one on for them. Its such a sad story.
 
I have good experiences of WHW, they are usually very keen to re home larger horses as most people want small ponies. If you only have one other you might want to ensure it can be left alone so you don't have to get a companion for your companion!
 
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