However, I do believe horses are herd animals and are always happier when they have a herd that they can physically interact with - not just a human herd that comes and goes throughout the day, but one that stays with them for most of the time. One that they can groom, scratch, romp around with, run with, etc. Yes, there are always dominance issues - but usually they work those out relatively quickly and overall end up being much happier and calmer. When I got my donkey he came from a home that kept him seperate from the other horses & mules. He could interact them from over the fence, but no other animals were in with him. He would just stand there with his head low until he saw a human and then he would stand at the fence frantically trying to get attention. Now that he is in with my herd - even though he is low-man - he is much more animated, moves more, and seems much more interested in his surroundings. While he still loves human interaction
- he doesn't act frantic about it anymore. He is almost a different animal.
And it almost sounds like you are worried that if she is put in with another animal she will become buddy sour. My 4 are very close, but I can take any one of them and lead or ride them away from the rest of the herd and have no issues. The ones left may call, but the one I am working with is focused on me. The reason for that is like you said - I am also part of the herd and the alpha. As long as that is clear - buddy sour issues tend not to be an issue.
Just my 2 cents,
Jessie in sunny, beautiful Kentucky where horse hair on my clothes seems to be the new fad due to the shedding.
________________________________
From: linder_cella <linder_cella@yahoo.com>
To: haflingerfriends@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun, March 7, 2010 10:07:32 PM
Subject: [haflingerfriends] lonely haffie (?)
HI all -
I have a question I'm interested in gathering opinions on -
My haffie - Cinderella - is by herself in her pasture. She has other horses all around her - but no one actually WITH her - I am with her each day - several times throughout the day - and she often 'visits' with the other horses on our way too and from the barn to her pasture in the morning and at night.
She doesn't SEEM to mind nor does she seem to be lonely - in fact when she sees my truck sometimes she runs from the back of her pasture to the barn - and it appears she's either trying to race me or simply anxious to see me - I'M her 'herd'...(?) !
We have several different pastures - youngsters on one side - old mares on the other - front / back / side so it's not like she can't SEE any other horses.
She very willingly goes away from the horses when I ride her (YEA!) - no co-dependant bones in HER body...
Thoughts, opinions? Am I doing anything BAD by not having another horse IN her pasture? (She doesn't get along with most of them - she's alpha (except for ME - she KNOWS I'M BOSS MARE) and she doesn't question it...
Thanks -
Barbara - KY
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