companion animal options for horse?

[itsasmallfarm]

I am pretty sure that coyotes can kill sheep, alpacas, or geese. So you might have trouble with any of those.

Any chance of a dog being a friend to the horse? That might be safer from coyotes, as long as it is not a very small dog.

we have a kangel/Pyrenees cross and a Pyrenees cross (rescue dog we are not sure his other half) and i don't think they would play nice with the horse.

 

[Weeg]

-does not eat a ton, feed seems to be getting more and more costly.
-we have coyotes around, would not want something that could be harmed by them.
-would work with the fence we have (its about 3-4 strand barb wire) but not opposed to adding one or two more stands.

I would suggest goats, but they are very hard to fence in, and predators are always a risk. What about a pony? They don't eat as much as a horse, and you could get a mini, or a larger one to withstand predators better. I do agree with the others though, predators will be able to kill any of the animals listed in the poll. I think going with another older horse, or a POA might be good predator wise. I don't know much about keeping the animals in the poll, so may not be a huge help there.
I'm very sorry for your loss. I hope you can find a buddy for your horse sometime soon.

 

[picklestheduck]

Yeah sheep and alpacas can get killed easily by coyotes. My kitten and horse are BFFs. Cats are at risk of getting caught by a coyote too though. And not all cats like horses and not all horses like cats. One of my horses lashes out at any small animal every time. I also saw a mule stomp baby coons to death that had fallen from a tree. So be careful there. Studies show donkeys eat less than horses. I would go with a mini pony or donkey. I've seen donkeys who get fed the same feed and amount of horses who are hugely overweight. So you would need different feed. But hay should be fine.

https://stablemanagement.com/articl...so been suggested,hay is adequate for donkeys.

 

[Weeg]

Yeah sheep and alpacas can get killed easily by coyotes. My kitten and horse are BFFs. Cats are at risk of getting caught by a coyote too though. And not all cats like horses and not all horses like cats. One of my horses lashes out at any small animal every time. I also saw a mule stomp baby coons to death that had fallen from a tree. So be careful there. Studies show donkeys eat less than horses. I would go with a mini pony or donkey. I've seen donkeys who get fed the same feed and amount of horses who are hugely overweight. So you would need different feed. But hay should be fine.

https://stablemanagement.com/articles/feeding-mules-and-donkeys#:~:text=Studies have shown that donkeys,3.1% of BW for horses.&text=It has also been suggested,hay is adequate for donkeys.

Donkey! Thats a good one! I didn't know they ate less than horses, neat. I think they're pretty good with predators too. I've heard stories where they attack cougars.
Hear once on a hiking trip, a cougar attacked a dog and the donkey killed the cougar. I think they're pretty burley.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree with everyone here already; another equine would be best! Do you have a friend with an available horse or pony to come on loan? Another 'pasture pet' will be perfect, realizing that besides grass hay, energy needs may vary a lot, so some separate feeding may be necessary. A donkey or horse rescue might have an animal for you too.
Mary

 

[Weeg]

Or, what if you found someone who wanted to to "board" their horse their. Your could try to find a friend or friend of a friend who was looking to get a horse, but doesn't have he space, or someone who would just rather house their horse else where. Then depending on that person specifically, you could organize a boarding arraignment, charge them, or if you don't care that I doubt it would be hard to find someone if you didn't charge them. Then you wouldn't be paying for the feed, you can feed them the same amount, and your horse could have a buddy.
If course, this may not always work perfectly. You'd have to find the right person with the right horse, but its something to keep an eye out for.
Thats how I got my horse. A friend of ours who we weren't super close to originally offered to give me riding lessons, and before I knew it she was helping me horse hunt. She had the same situation and needed a companion for her horse, and it worked out great! You could make a huge difference for someone who doesn't have space for a horse, or money for boarding. I don't think I would have been able to get a horse without her.

 

[TwistedTayy]

I’d say alpaca but as people have said they are more susceptible to coyotes. Maybe a llama? At least they have added size against alpacas. I don’t know much about them though.

There is a consideration that you’d have to shear alpaca llama and sheep. If you want sheep but don’t want to shear there are sheep breeds that are haired rather than fleeced. I want sheep one day but have no interest in the chore of shearing so I’ve already picked st croix sheep.

 

[Sequel]

If I was in your position I would try to find a rescue outfit that could let me foster an older horse or two. Usually the feed, farrier and vet bills are taken care of. And you wouldn’t have the problem with a “boarder” leaving the hose running or the gate open. Good luck I do hope you find a friend for your horse!

 

[Weeg]

If I was in your position I would try to find a rescue outfit that could let me foster an older horse or two. Usually the feed, farrier and vet bills are taken care of. And you wouldn’t have the problem with a “boarder” leaving the hose running or the gate open. Good luck I do hope you find a friend for your horse!

This is a good idea as well. Probably easier and would work better. Finding the right person can be difficult.

 

[alwaystj9]

I just lost my mare, so you have my sympathy. I had 2 horses and a herd of goats, after my first horse died, my mare became the goat mom and did quite well until this past summer. I put her down at age 32. Since her death, my predator problem for both the goats and the chickens has increased exponentially. I did not realize how much she protected her goat herd. She did quite well but would get very upset whenever baby goats were being weaned. I am searching for a replacement "pensioner" horse now but some of these rescue organizations are absolutely insane: either the requirements/hoops you have to run through or the re-homing fee. I am also trying to avoid the kids going to college who want to stash their horse somewhere, free, but want visitation rights. I do not want other people around and with an old horse, I want clear title in case of health issues. Best wishes to you and your remaining horse.