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Discussion on New turn out situation
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Member: scrupi1
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 - 7:29 pm:
Hi everyone, I am looking for a little advice. We have just purchased our first home on 17.4 acres and are going to be busy getting it horse ready. I have two horses at the moment, both warmblood crosses that are 3 and 5. I am a traveling therapist and will be taking my 5 year old with me while my 3 year old stays at home with my husband. I know that horses enjoy being in a herd and don't do so well alone. We are not sure that buying another horse is in our new budget, would he be OK on his own? Are there any other less expensive options for companionship?
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Member: tweeter
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Posted on Wednesday, Jul 25, 2007 - 8:46 pm:
Hi Susanne: I think the one being left at home might be better off with a buddy. I have a small donkey that I purchased for $300. He raised my babies and now "baby sits" my 30 year old stallion. They are great companions and very easy to take care of. They don't require a lot of feed or hay (very little as a matter of fact) they do require shelter, routine hoof, dental, worming and shots but other than that are great "sitters". You could check with your local rescue to see if they have something that would fit. So many "pasture buddies" looking for homes. Also I have friends who use a goat which works but it does like to go under the fence. he he he good luck and congrads on the new home kathy
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Member: cpacer
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Posted on Thursday, Jul 26, 2007 - 9:57 am:
Susanne, are you going to be gone overnight or just a few hours at a time? My husband babysits my young horse when I take the other one out riding. He yells at first but then settles down, and now knows that eventually we'll return. I plan to get a companion horse when my pasture is in better shape, but for now this works. I wouldn't leave him w/o other horses overnight though. I'm sure there's a rescue horse out there that would love to be a companion on your property!
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Member: scrupi1
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Posted on Saturday, Jul 28, 2007 - 6:46 am:
Thanks Kathy and CP, I will definitly look into the donkey or rescue companion horse. I would like to raise another weanling at some point so it would be good to have a babysitter for the future as well as for right now. I will be gone for about 6 months so that is definitly too long to leave my 3 year old without companionship. How can I learn more about how to care for donkeys? Thanks!
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