Turning away

[frostyfingers]

I have to turn my lovely horse away for a minimum of 12 months in the hope that she will recover from a suspensory injury. A friend has offered her field, with sheep, which would be ideal as it’s smallish and flat, she’s on hand and it’s only a few minutes away from me.

My question is would she be alright with sheep for company? I have another horse and pony here so would have to try and find another pony. She’s a fairly chilled character and I don’t think it would just be sheep for the whole time, just over the winter, but is that enough company for a few months?

I think it depends on the pony, I have one that would be fine and one that would do his nut. Sorry that’s not very helpful but I have my fingers crossed dpony recovers.

Yep afraid it depends on the horse. Some are absolutely fine with sheep, some don’t find it enough company and I’ve known a few horses that kill sheep…

No extra info on safety but sheep do eat pony tails sometimes, have known it to happen to a highland pony although they are quite tolerant types usually

My pony is very chilled and happy with his sheep buddies. They sleep in the stable together (open door) and share Haynets - the only bugger is the sheep chews holes in the bottom of the haynets...

I think I’m going to give it a go, she’s not far away and I can check how she’s doing (plus she’s under supervision at my friend’s house who loves her to bits). If she doesn’t settle I’ll bring her back and look for a small companion.

@frostyfingers

I think I’m going to give it a go, she’s not far away and I can check how she’s doing (plus she’s under supervision at my friend’s house who loves her to bits). If she doesn’t settle I’ll bring her back and look for a small companion.

How did your horse get on with the sheep?

Our pony has a sheep companion called Floppy and they are inseparable! When we take dpony out; the sheep bawls constantly!

We bottle fed her as a lamb and so she's very friendly. When it rains she stands underneath dpony - so cute

I haven’t moved her yet, I wanted to let her down and rough her off a bit at home. Her shoes come off this week and then the plan is to move her next week and hope that she likes her woolly friends! She’s shared a her field with them before but has always had an equine companion. Fingers will be crossed….