Living Alone

Does anybody keep their horses by themselves?

As of November 1st my barn owner is moving her horse to another facility so she can ride over the winter. We can't seem to find anyone to fill the other extra stall and since there's only two horses, that means that Red will be by himself. I thought of getting him a goat but I've seen him attack, chase, run over smaller animals. I thought of getting a donkey or an alpaca but that would just mean increasing my costs to feed and bed down another animal.

I would really like to stay where I am since it's close to home, I'm allowed to work off most of my board, and the facilities and owners are great.

I'm just wondering if anyone keeps their horse alone and how is that working? Red isn't herd bound and we've gone out on our own many times and he's chill. But how fair is it to keep him by himself for the winter?

When I get my place, I will start off with just Willow. She's fine alone out in the trails, in the barn, paddock, ect. I say that now... lol

I've seen it done, and it works for some horses. Others, not so much. I don't think its a matter of what's "fair", I think its a matter of what Red is comfortable with something like this needs to be viewed on an individual basis as no two horses are alike.

Monty, an OTT Standardbred at my stable was living alone at his previous home and was calm and sweet as could be, says my BO.

Each horse is different for that. Right now Flicka is here home on her own as we put down our "old man" and until the new "young man" gets here next month. She calls out once and a while to see if anyone is around to answer her, and then goes back to eating grass.

She has access to the pasture to get as much grass as she want's, and access to the barn for the hay if she want's any.

It's been three days, and she's doing fine.

When I got back into horses as an adult I had just one on his own. He was okay in the barn and small paddock close to the house, but when I put him in the big pasture he was nervous and would pace the fence line after a couple hours of grazing. He was alone in his previous home too but they didn't have any pasture, just a small paddock near the house. He felt secure enough there but not out in the field alone.
I've know one horse that hated other horses and wanted to be alone, but that is not the norm. I think he would be okay short term, as long as he doesn't show signs of fretting, but for his mental well being he should have a herd.
If he ends up needing a buddy I have one you can borrow for the winter

my guy Gunnar wouldn't mind being alone.. he's quite content on staying at the round bale all by himself, he doesn't look for his buddy if he's gone nor does he care...

Beauty lived alone at my Dad's for five years before she came to live with me. It was bad for her. She was aggressive with humans. I know of a few horses that seem to do ok alone, but know they would be much happier with a buddy. For the short term it shouldn't be too bad on Red, but I wouldn't want to keep him alone for long if he was mine. Have you posted an ad on kijiji looking for another boarder? How about this site?

horses are herd animals by nature. Domestic or not, it's in their brains to be more comfortable around other horses. there are exceptions, and some horses have been conditioned to accept being alone, but it's still less stressful if they have a companion. Unless it's the WRONG companion - that can happen too!

Maybe try running an ad. could be the right person is considering a move and just doesn't know about this option?

Thank you for everyone's responses. It will only be short term so I guess I won't worry too much about it, although a riding buddy will be nice!

There are ads on AR, Kijiji, and Horsenovascotia.ca but I couldn't figure out where to post one here. It's a lovely barn in Shubenacadie. Large box stalls, lots of turnout, large riding ring with great drainage, heated tack room and water buckets, experienced horse care, stalls cleaned daily etc.

Lab Rat......hi there.......post a new topic here in Around the Barn...........STALL AVAILABLE.........give the details, where, how much etc.....and see if someone answers.......good luck........I always feel guilty if my guys dont have a buddy of some sort.