The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: XxhoofprintsxX on November 18, 2010, 07:33:17 pm
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Hello everyone...I'm wanting to pose another question :D
If I got a foal or a youngster, would sheep be enough company for it when not with me? Obviously evenings on weekdays would be with me and most of the weekend would be spent with me. We have land behind my house that we can keep it on, so just wondering if sheep would be okay?
Many thanks, looking forward to your replies :)
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I don't think it's enough. Our sheep used to run in a field with a single horse (not mine). The horse was desperate to play, but the sheep obviously didn't understand the behaviour and ran away. The horse had noone to groom with or hang out with. It was really sad.
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Okay, thankyou very much :)
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youngsters do need to do the foal play, youngster play thing, it is all part of growing up. i have never had sheep so cant comment on if they would be good company, but i personally think horse company would be better
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You'd need another horse/pony with the foal as the older ones teach the foal how to be a horse - you know all the body language etc
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Okay thanks makes sense! Wanted to check with everyone
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what about a donkey? :)
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same applies i think, they need there own especially as a baby
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Thanks :)
I totally agree.
I will probably consider getting a rescue companion :)
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Tricky thing is that with two horses you can't take one out without the other getting panicky. We just got a companion for Jasper (26) so Tom (15) can come out to play. Then it becomes harder to move three horses around with only two hands...
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As a breeder I'd say definitely not to a sale of a youngster going to a home with only sheep for company. They're herd animals and youngsters need teaching manners by older horses or they start "playing" with the sheep and then also with the people - not nice all round..
Two brings its own problems as the pair bond becomes so strong in some cases that they become inseparable so if you get a companion make sure it has been used to living in an environment where it is regularly left with sheep and the other horse removed, or you'll never be able to go anywhere without the abandoned one going ballistic.
3-4 is ideal - but not everyone can manage that on their own hence why livery yards are there for the single horse/pony owner..
Good luck and if you're looking for a Highland youngster (or 2/3) come and visit ;) as I've just heard I'm losing 2/3 of my grazing at the end of the year :o
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I have seen goats make good horsey companions - but I'm on the farmy side, rather than the horsey side, so I'm not very good on the behavioural science bits of horses ;)
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I'm afraid I wouldn't keep goats with horses. It's not uncommon for goats to leap onto the backs of horses, and they can be prone to chew tails and manes. I think it's most unfair to a horse to expect it to suffer such treatment.
It is possible to keep two horses and train them both to accept the absence of the other. It requires some thought and not a little time but, by taking each away from the other for gradually increasing periods of time, each can learn that the other will come back.
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Thanks everyone for your imput!
I think for next year, I will just get the one and go for the more expensive option of a livery yard probably!!
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I have used a billy goat to keep my stallion company over the winter months one year. they were in stables next to each other. The stallion actually really liked the billy, they were best buddies :) Could even turn them out in a field together.
I am currently working with two foals one weaned about a month ago and the other about a week. I am lucky and have a spare gelding as a field companon. The older of the foals remained inside with the goats for company for two weeks while he was haltered and had some basic training (I have a gated system). The goats encouraged the foal to eat hay and feed times were the same so he copied what they did. He is now in at night with goats and out in day with gelding. I feel this resolves some of the separation issues that you can get with ponies not wanting to leave there field friend.
The younger foal came in a week ago and is in the barn 24/7 with goats, but has the other foal to talk to at night when he comes in. When it is time for the younger foal to come out I put the older one in a field on his own some of the time (he can still see the others) and leave the younger one in the day with the gelding and night inside with goats. Then just move them about so they are used to all combinations.
Having another pony to talk and train the foal is really important, the gelding sorts out any issues that come up so that the foal is that much more submissive when I have to deal with him/her :D
Hope this helps you a little :D or maybe you think I am talking rubbish ;D but it is working for me :D
Diane
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Thanks Diane, That's helpful and the combination sounds good! Sounds like they have the best of both worlds :) x
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Thanks Diane, That's helpful and the combination sounds good! Sounds like they have the best of both worlds :) x
They all keep things lively :D
Diane