solo horses -- what do you think?

[Mecate]

Since moving to Alaska -- an event I plan to remedy before this time next year -- my horse is no longer outside my back door. She is two hours away (1 way) with a herd of other horses, in a very nice situation.

I want to actually be able to spend time with her when it's "warmer." I've always heard that horses by themselves are miserable (when I lived in Colorado she had a pal) and I may not be able to find a situation where she could be in the vicinity of other horses.

What the feeling out there about a solo horse? ~Meg

[Excess]

I don't think I've heard of horse owners saying that it's okay for a horse to be solo. Although I can understand the logic of a horse being solo sees a person as their herd, I still think it is best for horses to have some sort of companion other than a predator (humans) that being any other prey-type animal - goat, sheep or preferebly some sort of equine like a donkey or mini or something. It shouldn't be too hard to find some horse from a rescue that can't be ridden that is a companion animal only. Goats are even easier but I think a minidonkey, donkey, mule, horse, whatever would be much better.

I know that my horse is a lot more people-oriented than horse-oriented and much rather prefers people's company than horses and he could live as a solo horse quite happily. But I'd worry about when I took him to clinics or shows or trail rides or whatever with other horses present. Even when we're around horses he doesn't know he gets curious about them and strives to meet and greet.

I know of a few horses that would come to the various barns that I board at that were solo horses and that then come to a place where there are horses. One of them totally didn't know how to act like a horse and flipped out because she seemed to know not what horses are! The other was real mean and hard to handle after being away from horses for so long then coming to a place where there are horses and he thought he'd die and gone to heaven to find out there are more horses in the world.

I think to sum up while you may not run into behavioral problems at home, if you should ever take your horse off your property, you most likely will run into behavioral issues around other horses.

Horses ARE herd animal and they NEED companionship. The lone horse is the dead horse in the wild. They NEED that interaction between other horses. I mean even if you take a solo human from one culture and put them in a situation where there's nothing but another culture completely foreign to that human, they get depressed because they have no one they can relate to.

[NoBite]

Interesting topic. Later this year my wife is going to a week-long clinic with her horse. I've got to stay home and work, which means my horse will be a lone horse for the week. I've been wondering if I should seek out a neighbor's horse for companionship for my horse that week. Or, is a week not a big enough deal to worry about? It might be a great week of bonding for the two of us. Just don't know which way to feel about this.

[mintoe]

In my albeit limited experience,most horses find the mere presence of other equids to be a comfort, even if they seldom interact. My gelding spent almost 5 months by himself after I sold my mare. He has fulltime turnout but no other horses in sight. He is generally a calm, confident guy so he seemed to handle it well, but I still considered it less than ideal.

Recently I was finally able to secure a suitable boarder so he can have companionship. All told, this makes about the 5 horse he's been turned out with in the 10 + years I've had him. During that time the situation has run the gamut from best buddies and playmates to tolerable presences. (Of course I wouldn't permit any horse who I felt posed a threat to his safety, but he's easy to get along with). Based on my observation, I'd say even an indifferent companion is better than having none at all. At the time I found this boarder I was seriously considering acquiring a mini mule as a last resort.

[reata]

Horses are herd animals and should have at least one other horse for company.
BUT!!! they should also be able to be kept for short periods by themselves so they learn that they can survive by themselves.. I keep my 6 horses in a big pasture in a herd but if I want to bring one home to be by himself for a while, I do.. But long term I feel for the ones by themselves.. Who's the guard horse when he wants to sleep?? and who keeps the flies off his face in summer and who helps itch his back when hes shedding??..:( JMHO!!

[fionagirl]

Wow. It's so tough, isn't it, when your own circumstances lead to a situation for your horse that's less than what you want it to be? What I would miss most about my horses not being in a herd is how much I learn from watching the herd dynamics. That has been a big aid for me in thinking about how to interact with each one (my big, confident alpha mare versus our goofy near-the-bottom gelding).

When I take any of my horses to a clinic they are basically ok alone, but they do immediately seek the comfort of a new herd, even if it's over the fence. Although other equids are preferable, there is a horse/goat pair around our area that is legendary. They were completely devoted to each other and when human circumstances forced a separation, they both fell into complete misery. Of course we'd like for the horse to be ok on his/her own, but it does speak to the power of the bond, even if it's not another horse.

I'd get a companion if you can possibly manage it!

Oh -- and there WAS a happy ending: someone eventually adopted the horse & goat as a pair!

[AWSpinks]

It'll be alright. I think it is good for a horse to be by themselves for periods of time. For the most part the horses we are riding aren't wild and have never been in a real herd situation. Most (I am speaking in generalities here) see a human within hours of being born and have accepted us in some fashion as one of them. (if we did our job correctly)

So while I'll agree that maybe it isn't ideal, it really isn't that big of a deal.

I have not been to Alaska so I am talking out of my hat here, but I don't imagine that winter allows for much riding time? Maybe your horse could summer alone with you and winter with his buddies an hour away?

AW

[Mecate]

Hi AWSpinks: What you suggested is sort of what I was thinking. If things work out, there may be horses down the road that she could hear, but not see. I would see her everyday, 7 days a week and ride at least 2 or 3 of those. It would be from April to October. I agree, it's not ideal because of the absence of equine buddies on site; it does seem better than simply standing around for so long. As for the Alaskan Interior winters, this is my first and after about 10 below, it's kind of hard to ride. Your question made me grin! Actually, Anchorage is quite mild by comparison, and the Kenai Peninsula is practically balmy (as is Homer..also on the coast). So wouldn't you know, the best hay in the whole darn state is -- in the Interior!! Thanks for your thoughts; I sure do appreciate everyone's feedback!! ~Meg

[RockinCircleC]

http://www.horsesforcleanwater.com/thegreenhorse/12_2005.html#article1
Excerpt from my article:
"Horses are herd animals. They are not meant to be by themselves. Now, I am not knocking folks who only have one horse. Ariel, my first horse, was a lone horse when I took possession of her in 1996. She remained that way pretty much until the day I brought Buena home. She suffered immensely for many years. She was taken from a small herd of four horses and submerged into isolation. In a way, at the time, I thought it was good. It gave me a chance to have her bond with me vs. with other horses. However, when I took her into group situations (like clinics and endurance rides) I had a horse that was looking to every other horse for support, not to me, despite the fact that I was her “herd.” But I didn’t have much to offer her, even though I had been “practicing” natural horsemanship for a few years. It took about six years of me learning more about horse behavior and listening to Ariel to figure out how I really needed to support her. It was a LONG and HARD learning process, and if you are interested in learning more, e-mail me privately."

[redtara]

I think horses loath being alone. I know there's no choice sometimes though. If they have to be alone it's best they can spend the day eating free choice hay or out on pasture staying busy. I brought my mare home and kept her alone here for 4 or 5 months. Got her a few goats to keep her company. They don't speak the same language though horses and goats. But I suppose any kind of distraction is better than none. I considered getting an old companion for her but didn't have the space. I ended up moving her before the rains came cause I knew I wouldn't be able to bear watching her all winter by herslelf like that. I've heard some horses manage well on their own it depends on the horse. Just keep an eye out and you'll know weather or not they're doing okay. There'es nothing more beautiful than a happy, content horsey. Good luck hope it works out for the both of you