We lost our senior horse a few months ago. Our mare is coping, and since she is kept at home, has some company from us, but I can tell she is lonely. Please let me know how you found a companion for your horse in a similar situation. No goat suggestions please. Looking for some variety of equid.
I contacted a local rescue even though I didn’t see what I wanted in their program. They knew of a family that had a horse that needed a companion home and matched us up.
My vet has told me he often knows of horses needing a companion home, and so I would also ask vets and farriers.
I might also put an ISO ad on local Craigslist horse groups.
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Our vets have horses people had to give up and could not find a place for them so they took them in, until they could find another home.
Maybe ask your vets if they have or know of some in your area?
Your farrier and feed stores also may know.
Check the give away section here on COTH. Maybe something on there is near you. Agree re vet and farriers.
Down to one lonely horse but uninterested in signing up for a lifetime of ownership on another, I simply put a post up on Facebook detailing my barn situation and what I would provide vs what I would expect the boarder to provide. In my case, I was happy to provide hay and bedding, but wanted the owner to pay for vet/farrier, and be local enough to horse sit on my occasional vacations.
I was FLOODED with responses in 24 hours. Admittedly, I have a turnout and care situation not often found in my area, but plenty of people have old horses that they’re paying huge boarding bills on (board in my area averages $600+) who would jump at a good, cheap situation.
I have the perfect older retiree now who is a great companion. I interviewed several good candidates thoroughly. I wanted a chill horse but I ALSO wanted a chill owner who would be fine with my turnout/blanketing/hours routine. In a really perfect turn of events, his owner even drives by my house every day to go to work, so it’s going to be no big deal for her to take over the care when I go away. (And I save the $50+ a day on a pet sitter.)
Personally, I didn’t want to adopt or otherwise take on ownership, because when my pony goes naturally/god forbid gets in an accident, I didn’t want to be in the same situation all over again. I did think about fostering for a rescue.
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I wouldnt do an ISO ad. I fear you will be flooded with many sick, lame, costly, unmanageable “companions”.
First, think about your requirements. Shoes okay? On meds or no? Size and gender? Spunky or very quiet? Etc. Stalled or pasture only? Metabolic?
There are many unrideable horses out there that dont need extensive care or special handling that would suit you. Take your time and be picky. I think your vet or farrier could be a great source. If you are open to it, they also might know someone who would like a retirement boarding situation but are reluctant to place their horse and lose control over its fate.
ETA: I posted before the post above me showed up!
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if face with OP’s dilemma I think I would haul my horse to a rescue or where to let them pick out their pasture mate
over the years I have seen many ideal man made matches not work
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Look for someone with a pony that has been out grown. Cheaper feed bill and usually easy to handle on the ground. Otherwise, I agree with a rescue or finding another retired horse where the owner is looking for cheaper board.
My contract has a 2 week trial clause in it. I was pretty forthright with all inquiries that because I was essentially offering free full board, I wasn’t going to tolerate a horse that didn’t fit. (Whether not getting along with my pony, hard to handle on the ground, etc.) Two weeks felt like enough time to work out any initial dominance scuffles and then settle in peacefully. After the two weeks it moves to the standard 30 days notice for both parties.
Personal experience: I got one companion as a foster from a rescue, two others from a therapeutic riding program who needed a place to retire oldsters, and the current one I got by putting a “Retirement Home Available” post here on COTH. There are a ton of horses who need a nice place to retire–you shouldn’t have any trouble finding one quickly.
Agree that your vet and farrier will also likely know of local horses. Or, you could go to the auction where there will be plenty of senior horses that desperately need that space on your trailer.
A mini donkey works very well, too. Hardly any care or feed consumption…they make good companions, but are not “needy” themselves if left alone!
Where are you located? That might make a difference.
