Big decision to make...advice needed please!

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

The yard I'm on is losing money hand over fist and we have been given notice to quit, so I'm looking to move Jack from his current part livery. As he is currently 7 miles away, I'd like him to be much closer to home and there is an opportunity to have him two minutes walk up the road with a neighbour, who has three unused stables and a tack room available, along with ten acres. The one of the downsides is the field is currently grazed by a small flock of sheep, so part would have to be fenced off although there are neighbouring fields owned by others which could be available, and there is a sand school directly across the road which I could hire. The other major downside is that he would be on his own Confused

There is a farm in the village that offers livery, but I'm not convinced that the people there are particularly nice and I'm keen to avoid yard politics. The other alternatives are yards I would have to drive to...

Any advice please?! At the moment he is on individual turnout because the herd fields are unusable, although he always has another horse/pony he can see. When in a herd situation up until the late autumn, he was low down the pecking order and sometimes picked upon although he did have one buddy, who incidentally he seems to ignore now. He is used to having sheep and pigs about, but obviously I wouldn't want him in with them, but might he see them as companions? Help, I dunno what to do for the best! Shocked

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 4:23 pm

Well sheep won't be a problem. If you put him in with the sheep he won't have much grass as they eat it very short. You would have to put up electric fencing perhaps to keep them seperate. I would be inclined to try your first option but I would have to get him a friend. You could get him a little fiend for little money that doesn't cost a lot of money to look after.

Hope this helps a little. Very Happy

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:19 pm

I agree with Tracey and would urge you to try and find him a companion if you go for the first option. Horses are 'herd' animals and they feel better with others around them. They dont have to share the same field, just as long as they can see other horses.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 5:33 pm

Get a shetland for company they are only a couple of hundred henry lives with dolly who he addores

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:07 pm

I too would jump at the first option. I know someone who got a welsh A for £60 at a sale - you should be able to get him a reasonably priced companion. Maybe worth looking at a companion animal from a rescue centre - maybe equine rescue (you can google then). For a few hundred, you may get something nice.

Good luck - please let us know how you get on, and what you decide

Master Friend Joined: 20 May 2008 Posts: 354

little welsh ponys are around for as little as £50 and eat very little and are great comanions for these big horses

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:58 pm

I would jump at the first option, is there no one on the yard you are leaving that would go with you to this other yard? I would buy a Shetland, they are lovely companion horses, they are hardy creatures so fit in well with our biggies. Blue Cross have some horses in that are for companion re-home only, the only problem with that is that they can take a while to make up their minds if you are a suitable owner which may not fit in with how soon you have to move. Alternatively buy another Shire!!!!

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:11 pm

Ruby- I thought buy another shire too, but didn't say it Smile

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:15 pm

I'd go with the first option too,if you can find a companion then all the better but yes sheep are no bother as long as he doesnt bother them,my friend found her horse would attack the sheep(didnt make a happy farmer) so they were fenced apart x
all the best x

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

I *may* have thought of another shire too... Wink

The idea of a little companion works, but what about the times when I'm riding Jack elsewhere? Does it then need a companion?! Although I do know someone with a mini mule they are looking to rehome Rolling Eyes

Of the other liveries, one has a pony and three small and particularly noisy children (erm, no thanks!) one has four horses including a mare in foal and the other can't drive, so needs to be in cycling distance and the new place is not really a yard as such, just stables and a paddock behind a very grand house, which the owners built for their children's ponies years ago.

Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 9:22 pm

I used to take Charlie out often when the welsh A was left - a bit of whinnying etc, but he was fine - I'd say companionship in the main, rather than not having a horse for a few hours at a time whilst you ride etc

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

Thanks, I thought that would be the case Wink

Didn't fancy toddling round the village with little and large, it's bad enough with the dogs in tow!

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 7:36 am

Aww. That would be nice. Take the pony with you when you ride. You would make a lot of people smile Wink

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 8:40 am

I once rode joey back to the field with dolly the shetland on a lead rope it was a pain in the a**e so I let it of it just followed behind and once in the field i galloped of I couldn't believe how fast the shetland was i couldn't shake it off

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:16 am

mmm thats when a companion as a pain but the onlt time really, if there is noone to keep Tomas company, I find he is happier in his stable with food Laughing

but he is a "belly" orientated boy !

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 10:41 am

I think if you start the separation procedure from day one, they get used to being away from each other from time to time. Even if you just take Jack for a walk for 10 minutes, I think it works.

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 5:29 pm

i would definitely go for the first option too - and get a companion! Horses are naturally gregarious and I must admit I hate to see them alone. There is a lovely Clyde X up the road from us completely on his own in the middle of nowhere - he looks so sad and lonely!

On the other hand separation anxiety is also an issue! We find it more of an issue with two horses, than it was with three. The two have a very close bond now so if we take George away from the field, e.g. to drive him, Rosie spends the whole time watching the road waiting for him to come back!

As Lizzy says though, they have to get used to it, so you just have to do it and not let them tug at your heart strings! They make a fuss for a bit but are usually OK.

Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 9:13 pm

I still like my option -buy another Shire!! Jack would like a friend I am sure.

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:05 pm

Think another Shire is a great idea. My lovely boy used to share 5 acres with 3 Sannen Goats. They were great friends. I think the is a photo on here somewhere of the lot of them.

Caitriona

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:38 pm

Tell me off but I still think you guys should get another Shire. It is such a shame that people with so much love and experience don't have at least one to share their lives.x

Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:46 pm

look on horse exchange there is a 2 year old 17 h shire gelding called henry £1250 and the guy i got my henry from is selling his yearling brother in lankashire

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

bulbus01 wrote:

look on horse exchange there is a 2 year old 17 h shire gelding called henry £1250 and the guy i got my henry from is selling his yearling brother in lankashire

Don't tempt me... Wink

I'm exploring every option Very Happy

Friend in Training Joined: 23 Jan 2010 Posts: 48

My old Arab had sheep for company, he was very attached to one in particular who used to share his stable! The problem with getting a small pony or shetland for company is that they are so prone to laminitis so they couldn't really go out together much. I have a mini pony - 32in Falabella x shetland and he does go out with Ella and Mishky, but for limited times only as he is just an eating machine. I agree with the others - get your boy another biggie as a companion - at least they could groom each other easily.

Posted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 8:41 pm

We have the fabulous Bransby Rest Home for Horses nearby - just outside Lincoln...they are always looking for good homes as companions for horses/donkeys/mules. They rescue 100's - all shapes, sizes, breeds, age etc...and many retirng brewery horses and police horses end up there.

Can i just mention to everyone that Bransby take in used stamps to raise funds? Just cut round the stamp leaving approx half an inch margin and when you have an envelope full, pop them in the post to:

Bransby Rest Home for Horses,
Bransby
Lincoln
Lincolnshire

Or if you are within driving distance - go over for one of their open days!

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

Quick update...off to see a v small private yard (only two others on it, one a shire x tb) on sunday which I can almost see from my upstairs windows...it's just down the hill behind the barn

Senior Friend Joined: 30 Dec 2009 Posts: 107

Wow! Sounds like the perfect answer to your dillema- Good Luck and can't wait to hear how you get on! Very Happy

Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 8:28 am

That photo is just beautiful and it looks and sounds like an idyllic place for your boy to live. Laughing

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

lizzy wrote:

That photo is just beautiful and it looks and sounds like an idyllic place for your boy to live. Laughing

It was just a happy snap with my compact from my home office window - snow has gone now, obviously Laughing

but I was rather pleased with the light on the woodland in the distance Wink

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

Well...the yard is lovely, and fingers crossed, we'll be moving there! Very Happy

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 5:51 pm

Keeping everthing crossed for you, let us know wont you?

Posted: Sun Feb 07, 2010 8:18 pm

Fingers crossed for you. Glad you liked it Very Happy

Senior Friend Joined: 31 Dec 2009 Posts: 188

Quick update...Jack moved today and hopefully will settle quickly Very Happy

I think he might, as he and his new companion Milo (a gorgeous grey shire x tb the same age) were turned out together this afternoon and within a couple of hours were grooming each other...awwww bless! Laughing

Posted: Sun Feb 28, 2010 10:36 pm

Good news, and a lovely snow photo!! Hope he will be happy there

Bransby - used to save all my stamps and send them there as a child Smile

Maybe I should start doing it again!!

Posted: Mon Mar 01, 2010 7:33 pm

looks brilliant hope he settles xxx

Posted: Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:55 pm

Really pleased to hear that your boy has settled down well in his new home! Its a big worry when you have to make changes for them so you must be feeling relieved that the transition has been so smooth!

Really pleased that the big tap in the sky has finally been turned off for a few days and the grass is starting to show signs of life amid the mud...roll on summer Very Happy