Without going in to to much detail, my field sharer (also my trainer) may be moving on at Easter. Freddie does not like being in the field by himself even with other horses in sight, though he has got used to his field companion coming and going and rarely hoons for long now. Now if his companion goes ... a) the field I have is for two horses sharing b) had, bar latest one, very new horse owners who have taken advantage and caused one very unhappy horse by separating their horses off, he is not dominant and I had huge problems getting him in and out the field, but she didn't separate them for that reason, she couldn't catch one and ... oh long story pm for details if interested! c) he's not currently ridden, last year was to be out year, he was long lining lovely, but three hoof abscesses in the same place and a broken hand that took three months to heal (dog tipped me down the stairs not horse related!) hasn't helped. d) he is happy, I'm happy, but I'm not sure I can share with a numpty again ... So do I get a mini, but would still have to pay for the full two acres and a stable, just rent an acre and have a mini and no stable for mini, but at nominal cost, don't like that idea as he loves to have the wind up his tail at times and he needs the space to go! e) loan, re-home a horse that is ridable with the same needs, he is out 24/7 with shelter (current field sharer installed it, but said she would be back for it in a year or two if she moves ...)he has a round bale of hay all year round and on a track system ... Decision isn't needed immediately, but I so want to ride, an older Arab looking for a slower pace of life would be great .... any advice?
Sorry that was long, any more detail please pm me. Thank you. Sarah
If it was me I would loan a rideable horse, maybe ask for help with vet/feet depending on finances. Little ponies always seem to be a good option but then laminitis and keeping them off the grass is more trouble than it's worth! (Defeats the object of having a companion!)Don't give up the grazing!! It can be handy sharing but personally I can't!
If it were me I would go for a rideable loan horse. There's very little difference in keep costs between a small companion pony and something you can ride. Rent, farrier worming all cost virtually the same. As Goldenmane says minis are often more trouble because of restricting grazing etc. If you want horses out 24/7 that maybe difficult with a small one depending on your grass. If you do decide on a mini, I know of a very sweet mini shetland and her yearling daughter who are looking for new homes lol.
I would go for an older non stresey rideable Arab, one that is happy to be left at home and easy to do. You could, maybe get a sharer to help with the costs, and you would have someone to ride with.
I think you have just confirmed what I was thinking. I need to get OH on side, but a rideable horse sounds the best option, I can still work with Freddie, but get to ride too! I never thought of the costs of farrier, vet etc with a mini being the same, but yes your right, no saving on those with a mini. I also would prefer something that can stay out with him unrestricted with regards to hay and grass. Had a chat with my current field sharer tonight as we rolled in the next round and it seems she is 99% sure she is moving on. I haven't the funds to buy a horse at present but a loan or a re-home then would be my best option. Not sure if I could share with anyone, but it is an option, Freddie is not good with strangers, but far better than he was, but a sharer would be for the ridden one and all they would need to do is check Fred and feed him.
Off to look at the Blue Cross .... don't tell my OH!
I had a series of horses on loan as companion to my Arab, from rescue horses to 'rideable' loaners, to pony companions. None really worked out perfectly, and some were a total disaster (especially the rescue arab who bit my husband on the back when he was poo picking the field...) Eventually I bought another arab for myself and that was great (until I got carried away and bred a foal from her!) My oldie and the mare both passed away so now I have my one arab (the 'baby', now 10!) and 2 mini ponies as companions to him. Yes they are both prone to laminitis, so we have made a big yard for them and limit their grazing. On the positive side, they are so easy to do, great fun to have around and he absolutely loves them. I do find the minis are quite tough and resilient, things like wormers are much cheaper as they only have a small dose, same with any medicines & feed. My farrier charges less, the difficulty is getting a farrier to trim them as they are hard work because he has to bend down so low! If you do loan a riding horse, try to get one from someone you know or who is recommended to you.
Jeago (Ludomino x Bahia) 1973-2007 & Khylie* (Nazdrowie x Kaminah) 1990-2010 ~ Fouad el Khyl (Lothar el Nyhl x Khylie) 2005-
I have a Shetland on loan as companion, yes she does have to have her grazing restricted and she is a great escape artist but otherwise so easy. She doesn't need a rug, minimal amounts of wormer, doesn't eat as much hay and is a great character!
Thanks for the info on the Shetlands/minis, the thing is I don't want to have to separate them from each other, he likes his friend in the same field, think I'll work on OH and keep a look out for something a bit less reactionary and more sane that I could ride straight away .... so if anyone hears of anything please let me know, but I won't be looking seriously until my current sharer leaves, which unless she changes her mind will be around Easter. I could just pay more and keep the two acres to myself, but he isn't good without company, the reason why I shared as I was becoming his playmate and a 15hh Arab trying to play with you while you poo pick wasn't fun! A companion sorted that out straight away. Any other ideas appreciated!
Until my companion pony went on hold ( I aquired more cats and I somehow manage to spend more on cat food than horse food) I decided a similar type(so they had similar feeds needs) that would be a sensible influence in the field was best option. You could ride and lead if you find a sensible ridden companion. I did though find companioning hunting harder than the original horse hunting. I guess because I was looking for T not myself and I just fall in love with everything faults and all
Hi Mags, guess that's why Freddie is here to stay, wrong choice at the time, but love him to bits! Was nearly re backed end of 2013, had been sat on and walked about on, booked first ridden lesson/for newly backed horse and before I got on he exploded in the school, my then new trainer and since field sharer, said back to basics, he came on lovely last year despite the abscesses and my broken hand but before the nights drew in was long lining lovely .... so field sharer is definitely leaving now at the end of March, so if any one knows of a gelding, age and colour not important as long as healthy, for long term loan or loan with view to buy, must be sane (can't cope with two idiots), ridden, would be light hacking and light schooling, fair weather rider so must be able to be left unridden during the week, especially in winter as work 8.30-5. Big ask I know, but 24/7 365 days turn out, stable available if needed, field shelter, hedging and track system with hay available all year as a round bale in shelter. Many thanks!
Pondering, thoughts, ideas ...
Posted - 30 Jan 2015 : 10:52:22 PM
