She is two and came from a home with four other horses. Im Spending time with her but the miniute i come inside she starts whining. we have had her a day but i feel horrible that she is lonely. she is running around in the fence looking for a familiar face.Please help
Answers:
She sounds, like you say lonely. Horses are herd animals, they need companions to feel safe and at home. Right now you are her only companion and protector. Without you she feels lost and afraid. Another minature would be ideal, but a small goat or donkey, sheep or any other grazing/herd animal would be a wonderful companion. Even pigs can make good companions for horses. Many health issues can be caused by stress: ulcers and colic just being a few. Also unwanted habits such as pacing, weaving, or cribbing can stem form lonliness and boredom.
Another thing, make sure there is plenty of pasture and forage for her (do not over feed however, you get into many other problems there!)
My mother owns two Mini mares than get along famously and enjoy thier time running and playing togetherMy mom doesnt have much time to spend with them, so thier companionship is very important. Of course, the time that you spend with your horses building a relationship is very important as well.
Eventually she will learn that you can't always be with her and start to calm down, even without a buddy animal. But still, companionship is best.
Good luck and many good times with your new Mini! They are wonderful animals even just as pets if you don't show.
I think that she just needs to get used to her new surroundings. What she is doing is normal. What you are doing is great! Spend lots of time with her-she'll need it. You might consider getting her an animal friend. She will get very lonely and maybe even depressed without a one. (Sorry to say this, but human company only goes so far...) Another horse is suggested, but a goat, sheep, or even a dog will do. (A dog that likes the horse.)
Everything could change, though. After all, you've only had her for a day! :)
Is she alone? I would suggest that if she is alone, you might want to introduce another animal that will not be aggressive with her to the area. Horses are herd animals and they will not be happy alone. That can stress them out quite a bit. It could even be a goat or something, but just long as there is a companion, it should settle her down
If she is your only equine, she is lonely and needs a horsey companion. They are herd animals, and the herd dynamic is not like the pack dynamic, which allows dogs to bond with humans and be satisfied with a "mixed pack."
It is so very different that orphaned foals raised by people without direct contact with other horses often develop strange and sometimes dangerous behavior as they get older.
So...get your mini a buddy. Sometimes a goat or a burro will do the trick.
i would guess that she is lonley so if i were you i would buy a goat or another horse to keep her company. She is also a little stressed out because of the move. Good Luck!
OK I read it ... Well you should sit there with her. Give her time she will mellow!!
Just wait it out. And if she is to herd bond with other horses. She will never want to leave them. She like other horses have to learn to be without others sometimes. Or you have the horse that will not leave the place without fighting all the time.
So buying another animal that you do not want. Is not the right way. Only get what you want!!
I like a horse that wants to be with me all the time. Even when there is others around.
can76chaser: It says she came from a home with 4 other horses, it doesnt say she is currently with 4 other horses, why don't you try reading the question.
littlegirl: Horses can not be alone, that is like if someone were to send you into total isolation with no family or friends around, and expect you to be happy. Horses are herd animals, in the wild they can not survive without a herd around, when a horse is all alone, they get terrified. Horses can not just 'learn to be alone sometimes'. And being alone doesn't make them bond to people more, it just stresses them out and makes them more prone to colic.
Your horse needs another companion animal, goats, donkeys, or another horse are all great companions and will solve the problem. Your horse will not be ok with just human companionship, it is not fair to keep any kind of equine alone. You could try offering to board someone elses horse, this way your mini would get company, and you would get someone to help do barn work or even some extra cash.
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