Does he need a friend?

[Yankee Mom]

We have a 3yr.old mini who is 31". We purchased him in Dec. 2004 as a gelding. But after displaying alot of stallion traits, our vet tested him and low and behold we have a double cryptoid stallion!!!! We purchased him for my daughter to show in 4-H, so we definitly could not leave him as a stallion. He was our only horse, and we wanted to get him a buddy, but after finding out he was a stallion we did not know what to do. We contacted the person we got him from and she would take him back BUT she would have him put down, because she did NOT want another stallion and did not want to pay for the costly vet bill. Sooooooo.... we decided to keep him and get the COSTLY surgery done, instead of purchasing a buddy. He now is a happy little gelding but alone. So know we are looking for a little buddy for him, we have come acrossed a little 26" stallion who is 2 1/2, but has our little guy been by himself to long to introduce a friend to him. He doesn't seem to mind being alone, my daughter is with him all her spare time so he has her, and we all go out to play with him daily. We did try a goat, and he chased the thing all over, they did not bond at all. He almost seemed jealous of the goat or mad at us for invading his privacy! So we got rid of the goat! So I need some advise should we get him a buddy? Should we look for a stallion, gelding or mare? Or should we just let things the way they are? We want him to be happy!!!! Thanks for your time!!!!!

 

[disneyhorse]

It sounds like HE doesn't need a buddy, but YOU want another horse? That's the gist that I'm reading into your post

Since it's just for a pet, I highly suggest getting another gelding. They are VERY sweet, MADE to be pets, and are generally wayyy cheaper.

Andrea

 

[wwminis]

[SIZE=14pt]I've sent you a PM!

[/SIZE]

Bill

 

[luvmycritters]

With all of the attention that it seems that he is getting from his human friends - and his refusal of accepting a goat buddy - seems like he must be happy to me!

 

[Marty]

I think it would be fine to get your horse a buddy, but one that will live on the other side of the fence and not be in with him. That way, he can have a buddy and enjoy one of his own species, but not be able to get in there and do him any harm. As horses are a herd animal, I do believe in the buddy system, but not all horses can have another one in there to "touch"....such as my quarter horse Sonny has been separated from all horses for 20 years, but he loves to socialize with all the others at the fence line and he is a very happy boy to do that.

 

[tuffsmom]

I would say he's fine alone. My mini is seriously attatched to his goat (the goat literally does not have a name...he's just "Tuff's goat). He also shares a fenceline with our big horses, and he's pretty content.

IMO, I agree with everyone else's post, give him a buddy (because you obviously want another little one...but who can blame you?

), just not in the same pen.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Horses are never truly happy on their own - we juts convince ourselves they are for whatever reason suits at the time!! Even grumpy old Sonny would be lonely without all his Mini friends that he has close contact with all the time. Rabbit has never been able to go in with other horses but he would be disconsolate if he could see all the others on the farm, which is why hos round pen is in the corner of the top filed, so he can see everyone except the other stallions. Yes, get your boy a friend- another gelding would be best as then you do not run the risk of going through all that trouble again!! Do as Marty suggests and have a fence between them to start with, then just put them in a paddock with a hotwire down it and see if they really do get on. If they do, try introducing them. I do not know your set up but if you stall at night, put them side by side and let them touch noses. Geldings do all the squealing and slapping just like stallions so do not be surprised if there are a few fireworks to start with. They will end up inseparable, and bless you every day. I am a firm believer in "Horses love people BUT they need other horses."

 

[capall beag]

Well I hate keeping any animal alone and so I would get a buddy.

BUT I have made the wrong decision in the past and bought a buddy and the 2 ended up hating eachother and I had to sell the new buddy.

This was with mares.

Funny thing is my mare kicked and terrorized her 'buddy' the whole time she lived with us and the day she left my mare called out for her and continued for days she acted devastated to have lost her???

Hard decision, if you get a buddy I would suggest a docile gelding.