new member with new mini

[StellaLenoir]

Hi, this is a wonderful board with so much great info. thank you!

We will be getting a 2year old girl in the next few weeks. She is currently in a herd of 4 horses, used to be 16. She has lived with others her whole life. When she comes to us, she will be our first horse. I was thinking that we should keep her and only horse till she gets to know and bond with us and then maybe get anouther in the near future. I dont want to over whelm my self with 2 minis at first , but I dont want her to suffer and be sad and miss her herd either. Will she be ok just by herself while we get to know eachother and learn the ropes? Or do you need to start out with 2? Thanks and I will post pics when I figure it out.

Thanks!!!

:

 

[ChrystalPaths]

Horses being "herd" animals prefer the company of others. If possible 2 is perfect. The bonding will go well if there is 1 or 2. My 2 are all over me for loving and brushing and carrots and they keep each other company when I am not with them. And welcome to our forum family. :saludando:

 

[miniwhinny]

WELCOME :aktion033: :aktion033:

Horses are herd animals and love company but I know loads of horses that live alone and are happy. I guess it depends on how much interaction you and your horse will have. If having 2 seems overwhelming then just get one...you'll feel way more comfortable and will soon form a strong bond. When I was a kid I only ever had one horse and he was my "bestest bud" :bgrin we did everything together and I honestly don't think he disliked being alone. Just watch your mare. Some horses are different just like people. SOme need equine company more than others do. You'll soon learn her horseonality.

COngrats and again...welcome

 

[MountainViewMiniatures]

Welcome and congratulations on your new family member!

Horses really are herd animals and feel much better and safer in a herd - even if it is only 2! But it won't hurt for awhile to be the only one if you think you would feel overwhelmed. Believe me, you will never just stop at one anyways!

 

[Scoopiedoo]

Welcome. We're glad to have you join us. :saludando:

Jodi

 

[Jill]

Hi and welcome to the wonderful world of owning a mini!

I do think miniature horses do best with another miniature horse as a companion, HOWEVER, I for one think your idea of first bonding and getting used to having your own horse is the best idea

: You will enjoy things more that way at first, and probably in the long run have a stronger relationship with her.

Congratulations on your new girl

:

 

[StellaLenoir]

Thanks everybody for your responses. I think we will start with just one and get used to her and her get used to us. I am SURE

we will end up with more eventually. I am so excited to bring her home. She is very sweet and spoiled. She was bred by the girl I am getting her from and was not for sale but the girl knew she would be perfect for my family. We had originaly gone to look at a prego cremello who was beautifull but a little stand offish. She had the attatude like " I am pregnant so leave me alone to eat my grass" Also she was the herd leader and I think she was mad everybody was leaving. So we got a super cute little girl!!

thanks again!!!

 

[midnight star stables]

Welcome from Ontario :saludando:

 

[Farmhand]

Welcome to the forum from the thumb area of Michigan. :saludando:

:

 

[Fanch]

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your little girl.

 

[PaintedPromiseRanch]

:saludando: welcome from sunny AZ! sometimes being the "only" horse at first is not a bad idea so that they bond with you, if you have lots of time to spend with them so they are not lonely. i know lots of people that have only one horse (or mule or donkey) but as said being herd animals they generally feel better with a companion... and being "prey" animals (vs. being a "predator") they also feel safer and more comfortable with a buddy. however with our rescues if we get one that needs "socialized" it does seem to work faster if they are kept alone, if you are the only option for the buddy. once she is attached to you though i would highly recommend at least one more... but fair warning, as also said here, it is so hard to stop! (we have 27 )

 

[Cathy_H]

Welcome & enjoy your mini. :saludando: I prefer to have two horses together. You could try the one but be prepared to get a sccond one if she gets stressed. All the human attention in the world does not make up for another horse companion.

 

[littlehorses2004]

Hi and welcome from Souteastern NC.

Rattlesnake Branch Miniatures

 

[maplegum]

In the short amount of time I have been on this forum, I have found this to be a very debatable subject!

I have only had my colt for a few weeks now. Yes, he is on his own but has 3 other horses right at his back fence who he 'talks' horsy talk with. He also has all the human company in the world. I am finding that he is bonding with me better than i had ever imagined.

Taking on 2 horses when you are new to owning horses could be complicated. I advise that you get your confidence with just one to begin with and then perhaps consider a second when you are feeling that you could cope with a second.

I also agree that 2 horses are better than one, but not all of us have the resources to cope with an extra one.

Yes, your mare will fret once she is taken away. She will feel lonely just as my colt did. It broke my heart. But it only took a few days for him to adapt to his new home and family and now he has settled in just as if he had been with us forever. Just give her lots of love and attention to help her with the transition.

Good luck, we'd love to see some photos too! Ohh yeah, and welcome from Australia.

 

[Marty]

Hello.

Welcome.

I'm sorry I am not going to tell you what you want to hear. :bgrin

I vote that you go ahead and get two horses now and be overwhelmed at the same time and get it over with. :new_shocked:

Your mini is not going to bond with you like a dog would. She's going to be more interested in "where's my herd?" than you I'm afraid. You cannot take the place of another horse for her, so this great bonding experience is really not all that's cracked up to be sometimes. She'll know you and like you and expect you to feed her, but still will want her own special friend. I'm sorry, but that is the way it really is. It is going to stress her out when she finds out there is no one of her own species at her new home for her to bond with. Just think of it as double the fun.

Lot of help I am.

Sorry!

Crawling back in my hole now. :saludando:

 

[StellaLenoir]

Hello.

Welcome.

I'm sorry I am not going to tell you what you want to hear. :bgrin

I vote that you go ahead and get two horses now and be overwhelmed at the same time and get it over with. :new_shocked:

Your mini is not going to bond with you like a dog would. She's going to be more interested in "where's my herd?" than you I'm afraid. You cannot take the place of another horse for her, so this great bonding experience is really not all that's cracked up to be sometimes. She'll know you and like you and expect you to feed her, but still will want her own special friend. I'm sorry, but that is the way it really is. It is going to stress her out when she finds out there is no one of her own species at her new home for her to bond with. Just think of it as double the fun.

Lot of help I am.

Sorry!

Crawling back in my hole now. :saludando:

You are alot of help as is the rest of the people who have responded. I want to do the right thing by her so I am really listening to everyones advice. I went out to see her today and it was sad to think she will leave the others . She and anouther horse where nibbbleing each others neck and it just about broke my heart to think she will not have that for a time. So I am kind of leaning toward getting a second, but the only choices that I have are a bred palamino and a cart broke palimino gelding who is $$$$. Or a cremello who is bred and seems to be maybe scared of my 8 year old..... not good.

I am not sure I can do foaling?? I would have to keep the baby no way could I sell it. So that would make 3 and I just dont know.

I dont know of anywhere else in my area NW Florida to get minis.

oh well thanks and it is alot to think about.

 

[River Wood]

Hi there welcome!! :aktion033:

 

[Marty]

look above you and click on "Breeders Connect"

then click on Florida

There are 3 pages full of breeders

Betcha you can find a companion for your girl there easily. Minis are everywhere!

 

[Joyce]

We brought home one at first and then I think it was 4 months later we added the second.

And then we grew to 32 as a high and now I'm cutting back and am down to 13. They are very addictive and I bred for several years and also showed with NEMHS. Want to cut back some more now.,

 

[KayJay Farm]

Welcome to LB from North Alabama!

We received an email with pics a few days ago from someone in Pensacola area trying to sell two mares and a stallion. If interested I will forward email.