Keeping just 1 horse

[Timber]

I think I am selling my Painted gelding and just keeping my Mare. I will probably have to get a goat which I don't mind at all I just hope she will be OK. She is such a sweetheart and I love her to death. I am finding 2 horses a lot of work and rather expensive. I was going to sell them both but it is breaking my heart. What do you thing about separating my horses. they have been together for about 4 years

 

[Bird]

Since horses are by nature herd animals, it always seemed a shame to have one by itself. But when I was a kid, I had a horse that only had our milk cow for company.

 

[Cottonhawk]

I found that horses are much happier when they have their friend with them.

 

[MikePA]

I found that horses are much happier when they have their friend with them.

Ditto.

 

[irwin]

When my older horse dies (not for a long time I hope) the younger one (7 yrs old) will have a very tough time. I'll have to buy another horse.

Stressed horses can get sick.

I hear you about a lot of work and expensive to take care of horses Timber, I hope I can keep it going through this economic depression we're all in. So far so good.

 

[Youare]

We had two horses together for about 10 years then one of them had to be put down. The remaining horse was a little down for a while but knowing this could be a major cause of strress I spent as much time with her as possible.

She ended up being just fine as I suppose your horse will too. You already have a good relationship with the horse you want to keep, this will help. Horses do have a herd nature you are part of the herd already.

Randy

 

[Timber]

I think I will get a Nubian goat to keep her company

 

[Timber]

I can't do it, It's breaking my heart separating my horses so I am just going to suck it up and keep them both. 1 of my Doberman is very attached to the 1 I was going to sell and watching them together just made it final.

 

[EddieWalker]

I didn't want to give advice, since it's such a personal decision, but hearing that you are going to keep both of them was what I was hoping for.

Eddie

 

[bearhawk]

Have you thought about an "on farm lease"?

Maybe you could find a local person that would help out with the feed and stuff to be able to ride one of them.

Many people love horses and want to be around them but would not be able to keep / board one on their own.

Try a simple add on Craigslist to see if there is any interest in your area.

Just a thought.

 

[easygo]

There is a small horse boarding farm just down the road from us. I believe they do have some horses there that are in a similar arrangement to what Bearhawk mentioned. It would be a win-win. Not only would the horse stay at your place but it would have even more company.

 

[Timber]

I think I will be fine, I will put off replacing my older Pickup for another year or 2 and just weather the storm. I have always been able to afford it but the rainy day fund is not building as fast as it use too. But we make choices in life and then we live with them. It is not there fault that things are the way they are. I have always been the 1 to say if you take animals into your life then they are your responsibility for the rest of theres

 

[Soundguy]

Get a mini horse.. they are easy keeps, and still make good pasture friends for large horses.. keeps the 'herd' thing going.

I have a mini and aside from farrier work and shots.. the animal is almost a free keep. it eats about a coffeee can full of sweet feed per day, but does fine off plain bahia grass.

soundguy

 

[easygo]

..... It is not there fault that things are the way they are. I have always been the 1 to say if you take animals into your life then they are your responsibility for the rest of theres

Isn't that so true!!! I like the way you think.
A few years ago one of our three greyhounds ate a dish towel. The surgery and the stay at the vet cost a bundle. We could have adopted five (5!!!) dogs for the money we spent on her, but that was not an option.