Companion horse? Choose one our horse likes or teach them to get along?

[t_chaperone]

We are moving to a farm and will move my daughters horse. We're thinking about a companion horse and how to choose. her gelding has tested the herd pecking order in the past until he found his place. Then he was fine until they moved him around and kept changing his paddock.We know about slow intros.And there will only be the 2 of them most likely possibly 1-2 boarders

[Ajierene]

It depends on your horse. Where I keep my horse now, three specific ones had to stay together because if put out with anyone else, they would bully them non-stop. If you can bring a horse he already knows, that would be easier for you and him, but if not - it depends on how dominant your horse is.

Where is he in the pecking order now? Is he near the top? If he is near the top, but not a bully, then you want a more submissive horse. If he is a bully, you want another dominant horse that will take his abuse.

As two examples, my gelding now is the top of his, rather short pecking order -for two reasons. First, then he was with the mares, one mare fell in love with him and bullied the other mare. So he was king by default. He is in with a new gelding now and the gelding is a more submissive horse. My gelding does not do much, except for when I am in the field, then he is a bit possessive. I am not sure if it is of me or my treats...

My mare is also queen of her field - the other horse is extraordinarily submissive, to the point where he reads her every signal and complies immediately, even if she isn't really asking him. As an example, when I am putting her back in the field, I walk her in, turn her and close the gate. She is always standing there and as soon as her butt goes towards him, he backs up.

I have to walk through my gelding's field to get to the ring and he does not back up when she turns.

So observe your horses' behavior and determine what type of horse would fit him best. When people come to look at my gelding ( I have been looking for a home for him, but at the moment he is only field sound - companion quality - and a 17.2HH thoroughbred, most people don't want that as a companion) I always tell them he is 'leader by default'. He does not bully and was actually separated from my mare because she apparently bullied him....not that she would do that because she is perfect and all.....

So ask where the horse stands in the pecking order and what kind of personality he/she has when being handled - a horse that is 'more spirited' will likely be a more dominant horse than one that has better manners.

[horsybill]

A gelding will usually get along better with a mare. The mare will probably take charge and there will be less fighting. The gelding will be happy just to hang out with her. We let some of our geldings hang with our mares and they get attached to one mare and hang with her. Its usually one of the mares low in the pecking order and the gelding gives her a little protection from the more dominate mares.

[Chris F]

Does the companion really have to be a horse. You can also try a llama. They are cheaper to have. They also don't cost as much as a horse. I was just throwing that out there as an idea. Try to get a horse that really likes your gelding. Ask if you could trailer one of the horses to introduce them to each other before you buy the other horse. Good Luck!

[Bobbi]

Does the companion have to necessarily be a horse? Are you wanting a riding horse, or can the companion be a mini horse, a pony, a goat, etc? You have lots of options, all will work for you, and some will be much less expensive and will serve the purpose.