WWYD in this situation?

[Starbucks]

So I've got a bit of a dilemma. I'm just having some stables built at my house and we've got 3 acres of grazing. Hoping stables will be up by May but they are being pretty slow! There are horses in the field next door.

My older horse died on good Friday so I am left with one horse, a 4yo I'm just starting.

I don't know what to do about a companion. She is at a livery yard at the mo and has a tendency to get a bit silly if she pals up with someone in the field so I'm tempted to try her on her own, but would that be a bit mean to her even though she has horses in the field next door?

OR

Get a pony as a companion, I've got a baby girl (9 months) so would be cool to get one for her to sit on.. But what pony do you get for a 9 month old??

OR

My mum has an old retired horse who could come and keep her company but he can be a bit riggy so worried about the silliness and he eats and poos A LOT! But on the plus side he could come out of retirement and help me get her hacking out etc.

What do you think???

 

[JoannaC]

I would get your mum's horse initially and then get a pony as well so she doesn't just have one friend to get obsessive over

 

[Theocat]

Can she talk to the horses over the fence? If she can, it's no different to individual turnout. I'd be wary of putting her in with just one other - pair bonds can be horrendous. I'd try and get a couple of companions, if your land can stand it.

I'm sorry to hear about your old horse.

 

[WelshD]

I'd go with option number 2 and look for a dog quiet lead rein British Riding Pony, they have less of a tendancy to run to fat like a native pony would

 

[Nativelover]

What about taking on a livery?? Someone to ride out with then. Plus a little pony as WelshD suggests??

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

Not your lovely grey hunter? If so - how awful for you. He was fab. What happened?

 

[Maesfen]

I'd actually try her for now on her own if she can see and talk to those next door. My reasoning would be she needs to focus on you while she's still a baby and not worry about leaving her friend (if you had one) as that's asking for bad behaviour; why give her an excuse to misbehave while she's still young? You can always get a small companion later once she's totally established and knows her manners and Baby will be that much older to enjoy a sit on too.

 

[Starbucks]

Not your lovely grey hunter? If so - how awful for you. He was fab. What happened?

Yes, Badger my hunter.😢 He got colic. :-( thanks for remembering him. xx

 

[Starbucks]

I'd actually try her for now on her own if she can see and talk to those next door. My reasoning would be she needs to focus on you while she's still a baby and not worry about leaving her friend (if you had one) as that's asking for bad behaviour; why give her an excuse to misbehave while she's still young? You can always get a small companion later once she's totally established and knows her manners and Baby will be that much older to enjoy a sit on too.

I'm liking this. I want minimal hassle so I think this would be the most straight forward option IF she settles ok. Also my mums horse has a really nice (free) retirement home with lots of grass so I don't really want him to come and eat all mine if he doesn't have to! But we can have him on standby if she stresses out.

I think we will go with this plan. Cheers.

 

[Maesfen]

I always try to find the easiest way for everyone lol! Glad it gave you another aspect.
It's not the end of the world for horses to be on their own as long as there are others nearby.

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I'm so sorry for you - he was one of my favourite hho horses. He sounded like a proper big country horse and a proper hedge hopper. Sending you a big hug and happy hunting in the sky lovely Badger x

 

[EQUIDAE]

3 is the perfect number

 

[Starbucks]

I'm so sorry for you - he was one of my favourite hho horses. He sounded like a proper big country horse and a proper hedge hopper. Sending you a big hug and happy hunting in the sky lovely Badger x

Thank you. He was a really cracking horse. x

 

[Honey08]

Im sorry you lost the lovely Badger. But congratulations on your little girl.

Could you box your horse over while she's still on livery and turn her out, see how she reacts to being alone, and see whether seeing the other horses over the fence is enough. The only issue with that is you have no control over when they're turned in/out and when they change fields or ride out.

Personally I'd get a pair of ponies that can live out and be companions. I don't like horses alone.

 

[Crugeran Celt]

Get two miniatures, cheap to keep, don't take up too much room and three is always better than two.

 

[charterline]

She how she goes on her own with company over the fence before investing in more horses!

 

[Mince Pie]

I think as you only have 3 acres then I would try the youngster on his own, I don't think that land would support 2 or 3 horses easily.

 

[stencilface]

I'm sorry to hear about badger too, he was a lovely boy.

Congratulations on your daughter though. I can recommend WHW for 'free' ponies for little ones for the future

 

[Abacus]

Yes, Badger my hunter.😢 He got colic. :-( thanks for remembering him. xx

I remember him too. We talked absolutely years ago once when you were considering selling him. So sorry.

 

[Haniki]

I'm another who remembers your lovely 'Badger'. I'm so sorry that you lost him to colic.
I lost my old horse to colic just before Christmas. This left her companion on her own, although we had a small pony in a field next to her.
However she wasn't happy and wouldn't use her field shelter as it was out of sight of the pony. Plus the poor pony's paddock got waterlogged with all the rain.
I put them in together in the end and they are both happy although I shall have to restrict their grazing once the grass gets going.
However, I am another who prefers horses to have company.

 

[pixie]

whw has loads of little companion ponies

 

[FfionWinnie]

What area are you in. I have the world's best mini Shetland kids pony looking for a top class loaner. Lead rein, ride and lead and first ridden, completely bomb proof and safe in all situations. In Scotland tho. He doesn't care if he's left alone so he wouldn't start any seperation carry on either.

Anyway that's the sort of thing you want for your daughter if you are getting one, because then you will be able to ride out with her from a young age thus allowing you to have good horse time

 

[Starbucks]

i tried to send you a PM FM but don't seem to be able to. Could you send me some details? Maybe I could come on a rap trip or we could get him shipped down or something. Sounds perfect! x

 

[FfionWinnie]

i tried to send you a PM FM but don't seem to be able to. Could you send me some details? Maybe I could come on a rap trip or we could get him shipped down or something. Sounds perfect! x

He is perfect although did have sweet itch before I got him, it hasn't been an issue since we live on a windy hill where midges don't dare to fly. That's the only small thing if you lived in a midgy area. PM me on FB - Team SuperCob.

Daughter is 3 here and cantering and jumping off the lead in an open field.

Clipped out (good rosette winner which is important when you are 3!)

Ride and lead

 

[Leo Walker]

Post the video where shes shouting "faster Titchy!" I think its my favourite video of all time!

 

[Starbucks]

i think I need titchy in my life!!

 

[Haniki]

FfionWinnie, what an amazing little pony. Love the head on shot when he's in his winter woollies!

 

[cavalo branco]

Aaaah! A seriously cute Titchy!! And jockey. Another person who is sad to hear about your lovely Badger, Starbucks. I think he had quite a following.....

 

[FfionWinnie]

Post the video where shes shouting "faster Titchy!" I think its my favourite video of all time!

http://youtu.be/NJRn3ae320s

For anyone who missed it before, the voice over was caught by accident while my daughter videoed me jumping my own horse, she's talking to herself. 2 weeks later the phrophesy was fulfilled and she was cantering him on her own.

He has been a brilliant pony who we backed ourselves then had schooled for her to ride off the lead rein (obviously on long reins he is too small for anyone other than a child to ride).

We did have a tricky phase the first time I clipped him out as he seemed to not have noticed the previous year of being ridden on the lead rein (an inch of fluff probably dulls most things!) but he's since done a full stint teaching my daughter to do everything including mount from the ground. She is far too big now although occasionally hops on bare back.

I haven't been actively looking for a new home and certainly don't want to advertise but your post struck a cord with me so felt like I should mention him. He's too good to be standing around doing nothing and my daughter has finally accepted that we want someone else tiny to get the enjoyment she had. She's ridden him from about age 2.5- 6yrs and he has done thousands of KM in that time keeping pace and often outrunning the big horses (they both like to win races!), led my mental Welshies past terrifying killer tractors and been her best pal and totally trustworthy in all situations.

Would be rather nice if he got another HHO baby to look after

 

[LD&S]

Wonderful Titchy, loved the video.