Companion for my DD’s pony - WWYD?

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I recently lost my OAP.

My DD also has a pony, who took my OAP’s loss a lot better than I expected - they were super bonded so I was preparing myself for the worst, but she’s coping brilliantly.

I always found it easier with the 2 - we could do our own thing with turning out/bringing in, etc, and were never reliant on what other liveries were doing with their horses.

Pony is fine out on her own for a while, but not all day, so if it’s raining and other liveries decide to keep theirs in for the day, I end up leaving DD’s pony in too.

I was thinking about taking a companion on loan, however, DD’s pony and my OAP were so bonded that all hell broke loose if you ever took one away from the other - DD is really enjoying being able to grab her pony and ride, hack, etc without worrying about the half ton tantrum - so I am nervous about ending up back there again.

Horses that bond and won't leave their companion are a nightmare, and if you are on a livery yard with other horses next door, within sight/smell etc then I'd not bother. I agree that it is also a problem with other liveries who bring in early, don't turn out because of bad weather but that's not as problematic as having a bonded horse!

Thanks!

It was horrendous. DD’s pony was happy to go off, but my OAP would have an absolute meltdown.

We did loads of work with her but she just got worse over the years, so I’d end up spending hours standing in the car park by the school with her while DD rode, hacks had to be planned with military precision with one of us there to manage the strop. DD is loving being able to grab and go and as much as we all loved and miss my OAP, it is certainly much easier.

But, like today for example. It’s raining so everyone has left their horses in, so I’ve left DD’s pony in - much to her absolute disgust - she’s fine alone for a bit if she’s first out/last in but she’d stress if it was all day

Hmm, you know what the obvious solution is here OP - 2 companions!! That way they have each other if you take DDs pony away and a couple of little minis wouldn't eat more or cost a lot more than one bigger pony, and if they ever need to be stabled can share one stable (might be a whole lot more mischievous than one big pony though!).

I'm only semi-kidding, although down this road accidental horse-hoarding goes, mini shetlands are adorable and can be fairly easy keepers although you do need to keep an eye on their waistlines esp if they don't have a proper job to do...

Oh, don’t. DH would kill me. We are now operating a strict 1 in 1 out policy on pets 😂

DD’s pony is hilariously terrified of minis - there used to be 2 escapologist shetlands in our barn who got into her stable one day and she was terrified of them. Broke through her door chain trying to get away from them. Wouldn’t go near them ever and would very carefully check their stable before leaving or entering the barn

We adopted two donkeys as companions for my DD's pony when we were in similar circumstances, love my little donks now and they kept eachother company while DD was out with Pony so it didn't cause any issues.

Essentially it's down to you wanting it not wanting to commit to another animal.
We used to rent to field space to other owners. We had a Shetland - little bastards can escape everything that horses can't be arsed to. No to that again. Second one was a breed match to my Anglo but he was the clingy one and couldn't cope with her going out especially if he was in his stable the fucker. I wouldn't do it again if getting a second horse was purely for company.

When I needed another I got a yearling as a third to have one in the pipeline. It is time consuming getting the right help and education for them but at least they have a future job. The yearling I bought was chosen entirely as I had ridden the breed and sire before and had always said I would get one. So the third was chosen for what I wanted and had a future plan for not as a default and that has made it more worth it. Still need to look after them and do all the medical stuff. I would say though that you need to be up for the young horse thing which is something I personally only do every decade or so myself as if it goes wrong it can go pretty wrong and it is potentially dangerous and demanding and you need help. Absolutely don't regret that companion as I didn't want 2 having had pair bonding issues, I would add that mine are on land where can't see another horse which makes a difference. All of them will go out on there own and stay on own with human company after a bit of work making then secure in that. Good luck I know having 3 is a lot of work and money so completely get what you are saying there.

Thanks.

I don’t mind committing to another one on a loan basis, as long as there are no health issues, although I’m aware they’re as rare as rocking horse poo.

As much as I loved my old girl, and miss her terribly, she was bloody hard work - she was very arthritic so remedial shoeing, ££ on pain relief, etc. I gave her an (I think) awesome retirement and I am a bit relieved she’s gone so I while I’m open to something easy, I’m not wanting to get into anything hard work or expensive.

DD’s pony is very much of the “I won’t melt” school of thought when it’s raining, but no one else at our yard is

Sorry, x-posted

I’m not really up for a youngster to be honest. I don’t have the skills or knowledge for it.

DD will hopefully be going off to uni in a couple of years, and her interest has waned (although that could just be down to the rigmarole every time she wanted to ride) so I don’t want any long term plans or commitments really.

I was lucky and found the perfect companion pony - small welsh ex show pony on loan that didn't like being ridden. As long as he sees DD's horse leave, he'll sometimes neigh once but happily lives with the goats until it returns - he always says hello to the trailer and comes over to the fence to check, then wanders off before we unbox.

However if you take away the horse when he's not looking he gets quite upset - couldn't work out what the hell was wrong the first time that it happened!

Could you pal up with another livery of similar mind?
I had to keep mine in when everyone else kept theirs in but he wasn't bothered fucking hippo in other words by mud/wet/rain/tidal waves/anything wet but used to get stressy if on his own too long, I got chatting to another livery and we were actually the same mind even though we both kept ours in on rainy days because everyone else did!
We were allowed then to share a larger paddock and shared the turn out/bring in between us and luckily the horses got on - maybe worth an ask around the liveries?

Yes you need to get your horse a horse, and then you need to get your horses horse a horse!!! 3 horses is the answer 😅 Alternatively look for an independent type as a companion- there are plenty, as it sounds like DD's pony wasn't really the problem.

Honestly, DH would kill me if I got more than 1. He’s not that impressed at the idea of 1 companion. I can’t sneak them in - he’s got wise to my “just popping to the tack shop for supplements” claims so he has a very close eye on equine expenses 😂

I did have a chat with another livery this morning and discovered she’s a bit more hardy than the others about rain, and had only been keeping hers in because everyone else was. Her’s aren’t in the same field as DD’s pony, but they can see each other so we’ve chucked them out today and will see how they go.