I don't have enough pasturage for more than one horse, but she needs someone to ignore. LOL! She's a big appendix and seems lonely. Have considered sheep. Anyone know if there would be any problems with this?
2006-12-07 05:11:34 · 29 answers · asked by dwilmoth822 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
A billy goat. They are cute little buggers, and just as stubbern and hotty. I would also consider a Staffordshire Bull Terrier. My friends have 4 horses, and 4 Staffys and one of the Male Staffys has taken quite a liking to one of the mares and they play and he pulls her mane and tail and she likes it and asks for more. It is the weirdest thing I ever saw! BTW, this horse is OLD! I would expect some playful behavior out of a young horse but not an old mare. Don't know what a staffy is? Check out my yahoo 360 page.
2006-12-07 05:16:17 · answer #1 · answered by ActionStaffords 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you get a sheep you must have sheep fence, or it will get out. Other options would be a miniature horse or donkey. They're smaller than regular horses and don't eat as much or need as much space. Goats are escape artists, so a goat might not work well. Sheep are friendly and cheap, but you have to have the sheep fencing which is wire squares and you'll have to have it sheared every summer. I've got 2 big horses and 3 mini's and have also had sheep and a donkey. If you DO get a sheep, a ramboulett is a good choice. The sheep with the black legs and heads tend to be better at escaping than ramboulett. I'd first recommend a miniature horse or a small donkey. A donkey will probably cost you less money up front. Good for you on noticing that your horse is lonely. Horses are herd animals and are happiest if they have company.
2006-12-07 05:49:54 · answer #2 · answered by Mary G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sheep could possibly work. Your horse should not have a problem with the sheep, but the sheep may not do well with a horse. Sheep are very timid (as compared to a goat) and require a lot more maintenance on your behalf. they also need shearing.
Donkeys are great with horses, but would not get more than one. Make sure sexes are the same, or one of the animals is fixed, or you may end up with a mule. Donkeys require the same care given to horse.
Goats are also great with horses. Number of goats you get doesn't matter. Require less maintenance than your horse and are much hardier than sheep. If you get a billy, have him castrated and this should eliminate any behavior problems. It doesn't matter what kind of pasture grass you have either. A good goat will eat almost anything. Do not get a pygmy goat unless you have a lot of time to spend with it.
Donkeys and goats make great companions for horses. They require less space and little attention/maintenance. Would prefer any one of these over sheep, but sheep should be OK.
Good luck and have fun!
2006-12-07 05:44:51 · answer #3 · answered by Scott C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont think see any problems with getting sheep. But you may want to consider getting a goat or a miniature horses as a partner because most of the time then sheep will miss other sheep.
2006-12-08 02:11:46 · answer #4 · answered by STF11 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you only have room for one horse the most appropriate companion might be a goat, make sure it has a separate stall it can get into that your horse cannot. Since your horse is large, consider a large breed goat like a Boer or Nubian. There were 3 goats at my local stable that most of the horses adored. also a goats vocalization seems to calm horses
2006-12-07 05:40:55 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes having one horse can be good for your relationship with her. If you achieve alpha status with her, she'll look forward to you taking her out to groom or ride. This can also be bad if she feels she's dominant over you, so make sure you maintain alpha status.
If you don't use her that much, it would probably be a good idea to get her a friend =) Horses are naturally herd dependent, since if they were caught alone in the wild they were sure to be found by a predator. Sheep would be fine. I would also consider a goat, miniature donkey, miniature mule, or miniature horse since you don't have much acerage. She would probably bond the most with a mini horse since he would be one of her kind.
2006-12-10 05:31:40 · answer #6 · answered by yayme616 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A donkey, a miniture donkey are often used as pasture mates for horses. They are the most likely to get along. Otherwise I'd suggest goats or sheep. Goats are hardier though, and will eat more of what your horse won't.
2006-12-07 05:29:48 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mules and donkeys work best. Also maybe a small pony or miniature horse. Since horses are herd animals, its best to keep them with other equine companions but if you absolutely cannot get a pony, mini, mule or donkey get a goat. They can also keep a lonely horse company.
2006-12-07 10:28:38 · answer #8 · answered by rockerchic821 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you don't have enough pasture for more than 1 horse then i suppose you can't have a mule or a donkey. sheep are good, or maybe a cows, but there kind of a pointless 'pet' unless you have a herd of them!
dogs are good with horses, but you couldn't keep that in the paddock!
good luck finding her a companion!
2006-12-07 06:18:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No problem. The neighbor down the road has goats in with his horses. Another option would be a llama or an alpaca. I would go with females in all of these breeds. they tend to be more companion worthy.
2006-12-07 05:21:11 · answer #10 · answered by mommy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋