I have three horses-- two that are 17, and a 2 year old I bought last year. Here is my question: My 2 year old is bonded to the other horses. Last summer my husband and I trail rode ponying the younger horse. We didn't leave the younger horse behind because we were afraid she would go berserk and hurt herself, and we thought it would be good for her to experience the trails without a rider on her back. Now the young horse is bigger than both of my seasoned trail horses. I should tell you that after our move last summer from TExas, the young horse developed ulcers for a few months. She is over them now. My question is this: Should I buy a small pony or donkey for a companion for the 2 year old for when we take the older horse away from the house on a trail ride? I do now have a nice barn where I could shut the 2 year old in the stall which has a short run. I go back and forth all the time on this. I don't really have the stall space for a 4th horse. I have only 3 stalls, but I could put the pony/donkey inside the barn in a makeshift stall when it is cold. My horses are out 70% of the day. This horse has always run in a herd and very calm as long she can see the other horses. I am afraid of the ulcers coming back or of her hurting herself in the run/stall when we take the other horses away. I need some advice!! Thanks!!
P.S. I am old softie when it comes to horses if you can't tell by now!
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Horse Behavior and Training
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I am no expert, but I could perhaps offer some suggestions?
Perhaps if you do join-up with your young horse, and some groundwork this will build a stronger relationship with her as a start, and by doing this you are taking her away from the horses so she is learning she doesn't have to be with them? You could also do quite a lot of taking her away from them by taking her up to the barn on her own and feeding her there, and then returning her to her friends.
Others will no doubt have better more effective suggestions for you.
Good luck!
Ruthy that is fantastic advice.
Perhaps you have already done join-up???
Letting your young horse look to you as it's leader and prefered companion will help to build it's confidence, successful join-up does that.
A horse with ulcers can be a problem, my mare has a tendency for them as well. These nervous young horses, can't help but love them.
Ponying-up with a horse when they are young is good for them. It teaches them what they need to know and no better teacher can there be than an older calm horse.
Size doesn't really matter.
I think it is Big Brown or Ceasure, one of the videos that Monty does some work with a huge horse while using a smaller, calmer horse to help this giant.
I hope this helps you in some way,
Ronda
This is a familiar problem for me, Kemptons. My Pie has been the worst. She loved going out and once she was injured she was always really upset when the other horses left her. I have never allowed her to go ballistic in the paddock as they inevitably injure themselves. Like you I used to lead her out with me if I was riding alone. If she couldn't go I used to shut her in a small yard and then could only whinny madly amnd drive the neighbours and my husband mad! Since Ouyen went lame she usually has Ouyen who is her favourite as a companion so life has been much easier however she still carries on in a milder way when Nicky leaves. I have built her a small yard (about 4 metres by 4 metres) in her agistment area for the odd occasion when the other two are taken out together. Uggs is also very stressed when Tricka and I leave him and I always shut him in a small yard here while she is away. Ronda's and Ruthy's suggestions are good and join up may settle your baby down a bit and it is good if she can be made less reliant on the other horses but you will still have the same problem as you want be there for her! Sometimes I feel Uggs panics more because I have left him than because of Tricka's absence as he is totally joined up. I lock Tricka up when I take Uggs out too but she doesn't panic nearly as much so I guess it depends on the horses personality and experiences. Since I have had my shetland I leave him close to Uggs and that helps a bit. Soo.... are we any help?? Ideally if you can afford to add to your horses then a older smaller pony would be great and once they get to know each other you could enclose them both or have them in stalls next to each other. However failing this then I think it would be best to shut your 2 year old in a small, safe enclosed area with some food and water! Perhaps a dog or a cat or someother small animal can be her friend. My Uggs does get some companionship from my kelpie dog when Tricka is out.