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RMR's
Horsepeople's Forum
Horses
Need Other Horses
In
the June 2011 issue of Rocky Mountain Rider Magazine, a reader writes in to
suggest that horse owners consider how lonely a solitary horse would be if it
did not have at least one companion. Horses are herd animals, after all.
You can click
here to read the article.
What do you think? Do you feel horses should have companionship? Are equines the
best companions for each other? Is it okay to board a horse all by itself on a
pasture or in a corral, with no other living creatures close by?
10
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Friday,
August 12, 2011 7:57:06 PM
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Maryland
I own 1-5 horses
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I just lost my 30 yr. old Quarter Horse mare to colic. She
lived with my other QH mare that is now 15 yrs. for 11 yrs. They were very
close. Now I only have Reba and she is doing very well as far as she only
nickered the first couple days for Macie. I know she still thinks of her as I
see her looking through the trees or just listening . I think she is actually
beginning to ajust very well ,but I find it very sad to see one horse alone. I
definitly plan on adopting or taking in another equine to be a friend to my
remaining mare. It is true the mutual contact of another as for grooming or
interacting is very important. Finding the right horse is very important to,
allowing over fence time for adjusting to each other for a couple weeks.
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Friday,
June 24, 2011 4:11:51 PM
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Montana
I own 1-5 horses
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Yes, yes and YES! Grandpa
always said "a horse can die of loneliness".
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Thursday,
June 23, 2011 8:03:54 PM
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Utah
I own 1-5 horses
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I know for a fact that horses need the companionship of other
horses. I learned this the hard way last year. I had moved my gelding from my
friend's home where he lived with 2 mares to a very nice pasture right behind my
house. He was there for a month and got fat and glossy on the grass. I thought
all was well until one night my friend rode one of the mares to my house for a
visit. My horse never liked this particular mare, but he was ecstatic to see her
after being alone. He whinnied so loud and ran around the pasture when we took
the mare across the river to set up a campsite. I've never seen him act like
that at any other time, and his whinnies were heartbreaking. I felt awful. This
year he turned 28 years old and I know he could use the nice feed that pasture
would give him, but my friend refuses to move either of her mares and I don't
have the heart to put him out there alone again. I learned my lesson. I will
never keep another horse alone.
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Wednesday,
June 8, 2011 10:46:52 AM
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North Dakota
I own more than 15 horses
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Of course they do -
that's why it's called a herd. Horses are very dependent on their 'herd' - but
luckily they're pretty flexible. Their herd can be about anything living,
including people - They need their own kind if possible. It is what was
intending in creation.
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Tuesday,
June 7, 2011 5:33:20 AM
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Utah
I
own 1-5 horses
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Horses are a herd animal
and do need companionship from other horses, if not they are lonely, can act out
and just plain depressed.
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Sunday,
June 5, 2011 9:09:08 PM
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Washington
I own more than 15 horses
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Horses need a companion,
be it a goat, llama, cattle. I have a llama that thinks he is a horse, he is too
cute for words. The horse may be afraid of the goat or llama at first but they
warm up fast. If you get another horse for a companion then you frequently end
up with 2 buddy sour horses
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Sunday,
June 5, 2011 10:08:27 AM
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Florida
I do not own a horse, but am
interested in their welfare
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Think about it. The worst
punishment for felons in prison is SOLITARY CONFINEMENT. Need I say more??
HorseLover
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Saturday,
June 4, 2011 8:28:18 AM
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Montana
I own 6-15 horses
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YES! Horses are herd
animals, every horse should have another as a companion, to groom each other, to
watch over each other, to encourage exercise, and for their overall mental and
emotional well being. Having other animals with them (goats, pigs, sheep,
cattle, etc.) is NOT the same, horses want and need a "friend".
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Saturday,
June 4, 2011 5:40:02 AM
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Wyoming
I own 1-5 horses
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Look at wild horses,
horses are herd animals. I think the closer we can keep our animals to their
natural state the better. I grew up with ranch horses, and they all ran together
mares and geldings, in a large pasture. A gelding would take the place of the
stallion, or, like I called it, boss horse. One can observe wild behavior in
horses without going to a wild horse range when they are run together like this.
Where I work now, they raise polo ponies, and the young horses in training run
together, mares and geldings, in large pastures. They act like horses, not like
backyard pets. A resounding YES to horses do need other horses. Thanks for the
article and a chance for readers to comment. Cynthia Rhoades
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Friday,
June 3, 2011 8:20:06 PM
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Montana
I
own 1-5 horses
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Right on, Jane! Great
Suggestions. I am going to secretly send this to my neighbors.
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