I just made a super short slideshow/video of my Appy gelding (Milton) and his OTTB mare bestie (Fancy). It gives me so much joy that these two get along so well and get to live their best lives together. I care for both of them while Fancy’s owner is away at vet school (just starting her first year).
I’d love to see other pictures or videos of folks horses with their best buddies too! <3
MOVIE
And here’s a few seconds of me living out a dream of ponying a race horse. What you don’t see in this video is the major shenanigans right before filming started and Fancy had a leap and a buck because just off camera in the next pasture is another OTTB going bonkers watching us. Sweet girl never pulled on me, and bless Milton’s heart, he ignored all of it and just jogged along happy as a clam.
MOVIE-1
I don’t have any good pics but my little mare and her neighbor are absolutely in love with each other. They’re the funniest odd couple. She’s a sassy little black pony who is 1000% in charge in her field and will double barrel at her (much larger) turnout friends for funsies. He’s a grouchy grey older man who enjoys putting people in his mouth and cannot be turned out with others because he makes poor choices. She has a shockingly low moo-cow voice and he has a tiny baby whinny. Somehow they have become besties and it’s adorable. They talk to each other and get very excited when the other one comes back to their stall. The only time she ever squeals at him is if he pokes at her while she’s eating - she takes 7-10 business days to finish her food so once her buddy is done eating he comes over and shoves his nose in between the stall bars to watch her eat like a creeper.
I don’t know what would happen if they were ever turned out with each other but they’re the cutest little set of neighbors.
My Herd of 3 have a pecking order.
Horse is undisputed Boss.
Pony is his 2nd in Command, but mini ignores him.
They routinely share a single 12x12 stall when they choose to be in.
Mini is in there, behind pony:
VID_20250124_100625019
I love everything about the descriptions of these two besties! I LOLed a few times.
They’re awesome!
When I had my own farm, I had three geldings for several years that all got along super well. They knew where each other stood in the rankings and were all fine with it. They were the most content, happy guys. I have a painting friend of mine did of a photo that another friend had taken of all three of them standing at the gate together, ears pricked, like they were posing. All three are over the rainbow bridge now and I love having that painting in my house of them.
My lease had a bff and they were so cute together that when I made a calendar of pics of him to give to his owner, there was an entire month devoted to photos of Manhattan and Badger.
And then, since I needed like $5 more to get free shipping, I also went and made some ‘engagement announcement’ stickers for them.
Sadly, Badger is no longer with us, but Hobbs, who is visible in the background of this pic, with his ears back has very happily stepped up to be Manhattan’s bff. Okay, a more accurate description of Hobbs’ relationship with Manhattan is obsessed stalker who brays like a goat anytime I take Manhattan out of the field (I love Hobbs and think he’s hilarious and actually a very sweet demon pony).
My Paint mare was obsessed with my grade pony. He was happy to be her servant for years, then started rebelling. My Hackney pony was always odd man out, except when the mare was in heat. Then he became her love interest as he was gelded very late (ten or eleven, and probably used for breeding before that).
They all came from the same barn, but the mare and grade pony were at the rescue that boarded at the barn, while the Hackney belonged to the BO. So the first two were in a pasture together before I got them, but only for a day. The Hackney was mostly stuck in a stall by himself, occasionally in a solo pen. They all lived together outside at my place.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. You may also receive promotional emails from The Chronicle of the Horse. You can opt out at any time.
For Customers
Company
Terms of Use
