together or separate?

[Grace67]

are your minis housed separately or together (depending on age and gender of course)? I'm just curious if you feel that minis tend to do better in more of a herd situation or completely separated from each other.

 

[Minimor]

At the moment I have only two that are alone--one is a stallion that is very bad about kicking with other horses; he simply doesn't get along in any group so is kept on his own. I would not say that he is "totally alone" as he does share a fence line with 5 geldings. The other is a just-gelded 6 year old. He's actually very good natured with other horses but some of the others don't like him and will initate fights/very rough play--I don't need any of the horses agitating anyone else that way and so he is kept separate so far. He gets along with mares but for obvious reasons was kept separate from the girls up until now. Again, he isn't totally alone, because he has 3 geldings across the fence on one side and a mare and foal in the adjoining paddock on the other side. He can scratch with the mare over the fence and this morning the baby had her head stuck through the rails and he & she were scratching each other. All of our others are kept in groups--there is one group of 2, a couple groups of 3, and two pasture groups, 10 geldings on one side and 9 mares on the other.

 

[Windhaven]

If possible, definitely together when possible! They are horses and horses are herd animals.

 

[Grace67]

do you think two mature geldings would do well together in a 100 x 100 dry lot turnout with an oversized run in type stall for shelter and feeding? they would also share a fenceline with a retired full sized horse who has a similar sized dry lot and stall. I'm considering purchasing another mini gelding but would need to house the two minis together, my arena also butts up to their turnout so I'd open that up during the day as well, we do not have any pasture.

 

[bevann]

That should be enough space.There will always be 1 who is more dominant.I have a 21 yr old and his son together-pop is definitely the dominant 1.Another field has a mare &gelding-she is the boss.Another has 2 sisters-older 1 is boss.When I had more horses I always had several in a field-I just made certain there were no personality conflicts-if so-someone got moved.

 

[Helicopter]

I have 23 minis (and 4 donkeys) and they are all together always. They are herd animals and should live that way......unless.......and there are lots of reasons to separate them (showing, personality clashes, stallions, obesity, illness, foaling etc. etc etc

But if they get along well together and my lot do I see no reason why they shouldn't enjoy as natural a life as possible. One of my greatest pleasures is watching my herd of little guys and gals tearing around the paddocks full of the sheer joy of living.

 

[Wings]

Mine are always in herds, even my show team get turned out together

Only my stallions stay apart and they can always see each other or other horses, they just don't tend to share fences!

 

[Jill]

Right now, we have our two stallions in their own paddocks and keep mares together in two paddocks and geldings together in two paddocks. We have sometimes run geldings with mares. What I like about it is that the mares will be mroe active and playful with a gelding to instigate things. What I don't like is that I have seen quite a few of our "for sure, I saw them gelded" geldings "breed" the mares, which can lead to infections.

 

[Jill]

PS though when we are breeding mares, I keep track of when we have observed the breeding (pasture / paddock) but I leave the mares with the stallion until just a couple months prior to foaling. I've been right on the foaling time frames, and I like that the stallions get some additional companionship.

 

[mdegner]

Adult stallions (3+ years) in their own pasture, 2 and 1 yr old stallion/geldings together and everybody else together. Typically our horses get weaned together, so that weaning class ends up staying together until we have to separate the stallions at a year. They are herd animals and even when we pull one of the mares out or separate anybody, they all fuss and cry about it..... They beat each other up but they sure don't like being separated....LOL

 

[susanne]

oops...didn't read your second post...

Only our stallion is separate from our gelding and mare, and once he is snipped and any lingering swimmers and hormonal behavior have disappeared, our herd will be one. Our main dry lot is 100 x 100, and while we will be expanding it, we have previously kept three in there with one run-in and one corner shelter without problem.

 

[Jill]

do you think two mature geldings would do well together in a 100 x 100 dry lot turnout with an oversized run in type stall for shelter and feeding? they would also share a fenceline with a retired full sized horse who has a similar sized dry lot and stall. I'm considering purchasing another mini gelding but would need to house the two minis together, my arena also butts up to their turnout so I'd open that up during the day as well, we do not have any pasture.

I think that should be perfectly fine. Together with geldings typically works very well. There will be a period of adjustment but they're herd animals. Once they settle on who is the head horse in charge, it should be a great situation.

 

[Nathan Luszcz]

Depends. Stallions are separate, rest are mixed in herds of compatible personalities.

 

[ozymandias]

I have 23 minis (and 4 donkeys) and they are all together always. They are herd animals and should live that way......unless.......and there are lots of reasons to separate them (showing, personality clashes, stallions, obesity, illness, foaling etc. etc etc

But if they get along well together and my lot do I see no reason why they shouldn't enjoy as natural a life as possible. One of my greatest pleasures is watching my herd of little guys and gals tearing around the paddocks full of the sheer joy of living.

+1

Always, ALWAYS keep them together, even if that "together" is just 2 especially stallions. Horses have evolved for literally millions of years to be herd animals. To deny them that is to deny them their basic needs of companionship, comfort and security. It all boils down to one question. Are you wanting to give the sentient beings that you chose to be responsible for the absolute best life you can give them (considering, just like you, they only have one) or are they possessions that will live how you want them to live even if its contrary to them living the life they are designed for?

This is a really good book http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0521340411/104-7161769-5031950?v=glance&n=283155 Especially chapter 13 entitled Fifty-eight million years of community evolution.

 

[lil hoofbeats]

I try to never completely separate a horse, even my stallions when removed from the general herd, are kept with a mare that can safely be left with them. I think they are much happier that way.

 

[ozymandias]

No horse ever stands alone here. The boys that are not used for breeding are in 2 bachelor herds -- with the younger or smaller ones in one herd (since I have some that will never see 28") and the taller or older breeding stallions in another herd. Stallions are pulled from this herd for breeding, and returned there during the winter time. I have only 2 Falabella stallions that stay with their girls year round, until almost delivery time and then they are pulled for delivery, and back with the girls as soon as the foals are up, about and strong. Both boys are gentleman with foals, so I never have to worry about them.

Ladies stay with their stallions until winter, and then the mares are turned into 2 herds -- again based on size and/or age and personality. I have a very small mare here that can stand her own with the taller mares so she goes with them, as she tends to be a bit of a bully with the smaller or young fillies.

I am also one who believes we should not deny their herd instincts.

This is SO cool to see someone, that even with a good size operation, still able to provide their little friends with the quality of life they deserve (and need)

 

[MountainWoman]

No horse is ever alone at my place although I do have separate pastures. I can't imagine a mini being by his/herself. How lonely and sad. One of the greatest pleasures of my day is watching them interact as a herd and play together and relax together. The friendships and bonds they form are amazing.

 

[Helicopter]

Slightly off topic but just want to share. When I bought Raffa he lived with his mum and dad. Apparently he spent all his time hooning around with dad and only went to mum to visit the milk bar.