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Is This True?

6K views 32 replies 17 participants last post by  Meg 
#1 ·
(I hope it's in the right forum)

I was told that for the mental health of the horse, you need to have at least one other horse with it, OR a sheep or goat. I know several people who only have one horse and they are fine. We want to start out with ONE horse at first, this is our first time owning a horse. So, we don't want to jump into anything "big", you know what I mean?

All advice is welcome and appreciated!
 
#4 ·
A horse is happier with company, no doubt about it, but I've seen single horses that are quite content. Actually, being alone did one of my girls a lot of good -- when she first arrived here, her nickname became "Snotty". Less than a year later, her buddy died. It took about 6 weeks before we got a new friend for her, but in those 6 weeks, her personality *completely* changed. Now she is super friendly with people and the latest addition is the new "Snotty"!
 
#5 ·
Trust me, this horse would probably get sick of seeing me all the time. LOL I just love horses so much...I'd spend every single second of the day with them if I could. But we will get another horse or two once we move...Just right now, we can only get one.
 
#6 ·
If you've never owned a horse before I'd really suggest boarding at least at first. Horses are tons of work and it can help you take better care of your horse if you have some help. It really helps to take care of a horse with the support of a good barn owner or trainer. Are you taking lessons? Can you take lessons with a good horse trainer so you'll be able to train your horse?
 
#8 ·
Horses should have company.
Herd animals, prey animals for that matter need to be in company. Horses groom , play and use each other as security-especially at night , and in a natural environment /wild they form pair bonds which last forever if allowed. Keeping them on there own doesnt allow for them to act out natural behaviours.....as far as interaction with other animals go.

I have read a study on a horse that lived on his own for a very long time, along with many other problems one related to being on his own was he often took any moment he was around people as a time to doze/ sleep as on his own he had to be on the look out so couldnt fully relax as he had no one to look out for ' danger ' for him while he rested.

True ....some horses can cope with it, but i bet if they had a say in how they lived they would choose company over not having any.


even if you cant afford 2 horses at present, you could put up a paddock mate wanted add and see if you can get a companion that way, even for short term untill you get other horses or animals. The you will just be looking after your horse but he will still ahve company.


honetly i hate seeing horses on there own. But really the choice is yours :)
 
#10 ·
I've always really strongly believed that a horse should have a companion. I've never seen one, but I've been told that some horses do fine on their own. That may be the case, but what if the horse you get is one of those that really does need a companion? They can become seriously depressed and anxious if left alone, which could lead to nervous habits and ulcers. I just wouldn't risk putting a horse in that situation. Even if you are literally with a horse 24/7, you're not quite the same as a fuzzy four footed animal.
I'm sure a little donkey or goat isn't that much trouble to care for.
 
#11 ·
Yeah, horses are social animals...& need company. :) It doesn't always have to be another horse exactly, but it could be a dog, goat, donkey, etc. Some horses really need company & will develop behavioral problems (or get depressed like TVP said) if they don't have company.
 
#12 ·
As my Grandfather has gotten to be... Well 91 this year... GO Gramps!!!:D

Anyways, My Grandfather had horses... Slowly they have died off on him. Cocoa has been alone for the last 15-18 years...He was the last baby of the horses that he once had. Seems to me Cocoa was about 4 when his momma died and has been alone ever since...with the exception of a few head of cattle in the first 5 years but definately alone for the last 10 years. He's been fine. If it's only for a little while I'd say it would be OK.

Of course horses like to have a buddy...but they can do without.
 
#13 ·
Thank you for all your replies. I did see someone mention a dog or radio works okay. We do have dogs and "barn" cats. Boarding around me is EXPENSIVE. I guess with all the hay/weather issues and everything going up in price...Also, the person giving me the horse said if it for some reason it became a problem, they would take it back...But I highly doubt that would happen. (The horse's owners live two doors down from us, and have three horses).
 
#16 ·
One horse will work, but only if it's a horse that is okay with being alone. There are some horses that just need a buddy. You need to ask about that when looking.

I would also work closely with your instructor/trainer to help you find a suitable horse. It's VERY easy to wind up with a lot more horse than you can handle, even if it's sweet and calm when you first meet him...
 
#17 ·
just a note on the chicken wire....it rots , we never used it when we had chickens...we use reg or goat fencing......is there a reason for this horse being "given away"?, and are you "prepared" for bring a horse on to your property being a first time horse owner?, .....vet check's, ferriers.........i have 2 horses at home right now...there are some days where i wish i could board and let the bo do the hard stuff.....what kind of ridding lessons have you had?...just stuff in genral...we all have to start from the ground up some times...is there still a hay problem up north?, how many acres will this horse have to raom in?, i find if a horse has a small pasture it will wine more left with out a nother horse....
 
#19 ·
My neighbor wants to give her to me, but she is not selling her. She said that if for some reason it never works out, they will take her back. Never had riding lessons, but now that I am getting a horse, I will take lessons. She has a very nice disposition.
 
#20 ·
How much do you know about caring for horses? What about your parents? If you've never had lessons and don't know how to care for a horse I'd be sure to go slowly. Horses are a lot of work. They're very expensive. They are big and you can get hurt easily. Do you have a vet? What do you know about this horse? Farriers? Do you have hay for the winter? How much does this horse eat? Do you know how to lead a horse safely?

There are a lot of important things you need to know about horses. For example, what does it mean if a horse walks away from you and stands with its head facing away from you? What would you do if your horse did this?
 
#21 ·
That is why I joined this forum! We are doing research, research, research. The lady giving her to me has other horses and she is willing to help me out on information as well. I have a veterinarian and farrier lined up...Although no work needs to be done for awhile, and when it's time, we're ready. I have more questions I am going to ask in this forum, in a seperate thread.
 
#22 ·
This forum is nice but it is no substitute for a good trainer. Do you have hay lined up for the winter? Do you have a barn? When was the last worming? What is the next type of worming due? How often to you do hooves?

I hope you take lessons for quite a while before you get the horse. Can you make friends with a local trainer? Is there a local 4H group you can join?
 
#24 ·
A goat and a horse! That's great Meg, let us know how it goes. Sounds like you have everything under control. Our first horse had a pet rooster as a companion.
Remember everyone has to start someplace. We all started out knowing nothing about horses. Its a lifelong learning experience. If someone tells you they know everything there is to know about horses, they're lying :wink:
 
#25 ·
This year a new set of laws were passed protecting horses in our area of Switzerland. It is illegal to keep a horse without another equine that it can see, hear, smell and socialize with. Other animals such as goats, pigs, etc. are not considered proper companions. Poneys, donkeys and mules are the exception to another horse.
They really do develop complex relationships with their equine friends that can last a lifetime.
 
#27 ·
I have to disagree with almost everybody on the forum. My horse likes being alone. He gets stressed out around other horses and tends to want to fight them. He is very territorial. I've owned him for almost 13 years and I've only seen him get along with 2 or 3 horses over a fence. He killed a dog...gave a goat a concussion...picked up a cat by his mouth and threw her out of the barn...not kidding. He loves human contact...food...and fresh air. That's all he needs to be content.:D Unfortunately Im about to buy a 2nd horse...they will be in different paddocks. If you plan on keeping a loner...you need to ask the sellers if the horse can cope with it. Some love it...some freak out. You have to know the horse before you buy.

By the way I agree with Northern...leave the girl alone...I hate when newbies get on here and people get all up in their business about horse owning. We were all first time horse owners and one point in our lives.:?
 
#28 ·
Thank you hotreddun, northernmama...

EVERY horse is different. Just because your horse prefers company, and a lot do vs. being a lone, there are some horses that are fine with being a lone. So, are you saying that I should get two or three horses, and something terrible comes up with finances (it could happen to ANYBODY...especially with the economy the way it is now)...and you have two or three horses to worry about as oppose to one, or one with a goat. I am not saying anybody said "goats are a bad idea", I am just throwing that out there. The horse will be loved lots, and I would NOT be getting a horse if I didn't do enough research. I have dogs, I have cats, I have rabbits...Each animal is challenging...I'd say, out of ALL the animals I know of, rabbits are the worse because if they get a little cold, 99% chance, they die. I am ready for this responsibility. I want horse lessons on my own horse.
 
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