Horse Being Alone? Should I get Another?

If you decide to get another horse, I would go for an older horse, like early 20's maybe, that is looking for a retirement home. These sorts of horses are generally very well trained and calm, sound for at least light riding, and are often free to a good home. If you keep an eye out, you can usually find a horse that someone owned and loved for the past decade and has to re-home for whatever reason. These people will probably insist of seeing your property and being allowed to visit, but you will probably also be getting a great horse. I got three of my horses this way and when I went to college re-homed my last one this same way.

All three of these horses were owned by the owner for 8-20 years. They had all been trained very well but were no longer up to the physically rigorous discipline they had been used for, like barrel racing or climbing mountains, and therefore the owner wanted a quiet home were they could be loved and occasionally trail ridden. Because the owner had kept the horse for so long, I knew that they were good horses with good training and a good mind, and few if any vices. All of them lived up to that and we spent several great years together. These are some of the best horses I've ever had.

Word of caution - make sure you do screen the horses though, some people will pretend they are selling their old horse because its not being used when really it is sick. Just make sure you check over the horse really well and try him/her out to make sure its sound for light riding at least.

Horses are herd animals and they like social interaction, so they like to be with their own kind, close to someone. If you leave your horse alone, he will become bored, LONELY. Horses that become bored will show uneasiness, and they will pace which could cause stress of the legs and your horse could end up lame. They can develop ulcers and loose weight along the line. They can also become aggressive and develop destructive behaviors.

So in the long run, get another horse! If you can, think of adopting/buying a rescue. Not all good horses are around $1000, or if you're thinking about a pasture ornament, you can always consider a miniature horse! I have one at my barn, and she is quite the Diva!

Good Luck!

Well of course, horses are herd animals. But some are just fine alone. We have an Arab at our barn who does great alone. He is always turned out alone. Granted, there are horses stalled near him, but he couldn't care less. He is more into his people than the barn herd. And it can be a good thing, too. For instance, my three horses are somewhat herd bound. If I separate them, they usually call to each other, which is annoying when I am trying to work with them individually.

You said you can financially afford to care for another horse. And that you would like another horse for trail riding purposes. Have you looked at Craigslist? I am finding very cheap horses on there everyday. They may not be registered. And they may require some maintenence, but a lot of them look to be good, sound horses. Only a lot of people are having to get rid of their horses due to feed and hay prices going up. If you do get another "friend" for your horse, I would definitely get something useful. Minis are cute, but you obviously cannot use them for adult riding. Pay for something you can use.

In the end, I'm sure whatever decision you make will work out just fine.

I was going to suggest a goat until you said you want to go trail riding with your boyfriend.

You can find halfway decent horses under $1000, it's just hard to.

But if he's an intermediate rider or better you could get a green horse. Or one with bad conformation, there's a few nice horses that have bad conformation, but other than that aren't too bad. Or an old one..... my first horse was $450 only because of his age (22) and the fact that it was hard to keep weight on him. He had decent conformation and was a good beginner's horse.

Since he's been with other horses his whole life, he will probably need some kind of company, whether you choose to get another horse, or something else.

I would get him a buddy. Horses aren't meant to live on their own, although they can adapt. There is always someone trying to get rid of a decent horse for practically nothing. I personally would get something older, unless you are willing to spend the money and time that will need to be invested in training a youngster. A lot of late teenagers have tons of life left in them and a lot to give. One of my lesson horses is going on 23 this year. She is still sound, happy and healthy and good at her job. I got her for free too, her former owner had been trying to sell her and couldn't. I had put some training on the horse for her and she was easy to ride when I worked with her, just needed a tune up. She donated her to my program and has been a good horse. Rescue horses from a good adoption agency can be OK, but remember, most of the ones in rescue groups frequently come with significant training issues and/or baggage from bad situations. There are some good horses there, but be very selective about the horse you choose. I have a rescue horse, she was from somewhere down in mississippi and was run through 3 auctions before she landed in a rescue group for a very short time, and was then purchased by a lady here in NY who realized she didn't have the ability or the finances to correct her behavioral issues. I found her on Craig's List, went to see her and rode her, and loved her. She's been good, but she still has a lot of issues- whoever had her did enough damage. She's always expecting to get hurt, from the ground or saddle, but is smart, has a fantastic mind, and is working through it. She also has bog spavin in both hocks, but is sound for light work. Fostering is a good idea, just make sure that whatever horse you are fostering is up to date on all vaccines before he's allowed on the property, and any new horse coming in should really have a quarantine period of at least a few days if not 1-2 weeks to be certain they are not carrying anything that could pass to your horse. That really goes for any new horse that is introduced to another.

Maybe an ancient but good horse suitable for an occasional rider.

A young horse cannot be trusted with your bf if he's not a good rider.

A rescue might eat all your money in special feed, meds and farrier work. See if you can find a horse from a teen who has gone off to college and cannot afford to keep an old horse but won't sell at auction. Feed and tack bulletin boards often have several of these. One or two of them may be safe, cheap and usable. Occasionally you'll find an antique pony free to good home.

There are rescue horses you could look at, or many horses are just being given away. So if somehow you can provide a horse a home and give your horse a buddy.. go for it.

Don;t know where you are but you should be able to do a search for horse rescue places. Check with your vet and farrier, also. God Bless ya.

I would try to see if your horse can tolerate being by himself before jumping up and getting another horse. If after two weeks your horse seems off, bored, or just lonely, look into adopting a pony who needs a home and doesn't mind being around other horses. Most adoption horses are only a couple $100 usually.

You should get an older, reliable horse for company and if your bf wants to ride. A rescue horse sounds like a great idea!

The problem with adding a friend - if they get on - is that if you need to take your horse out of the pasture, say to groom or go for a ride, what then happens to the one left behind? He or she is likely to get upset.

A couple of cows would be good company and are good for grazing the parts that a horse does not, but try him alone to start with. He might be okay. Maybe a local farmer would have a couple of cows that he might want to graze. We used to have Dexter cows - miniature cows, on our fields.