Is it okay to have just 1 horse? I have 2 acres. Any smaller stablemate suggestions?

Question

Is it okay to have just 1 horse? I have 2 acres. Any smaller stablemate suggestions?

Answer 1

Sure it's okay to have just 1 horse!  An excellent "barn-buddy" is a pygmy goat!

Answer 2

yes sure,

in australia

its 1.5 at the minium acrege for a horse

Answer 3

yes and a donkey mini horse or even goats can be good to keep with horses

Answer 4

I have a female goat that was from the same place as my rescued mare came from as her companion because we dont have alot of room for another horse.

They are BESTEST buddies, the goat even sleeps on top of the horse like a big body pillow...lol

It is hilarious to watch their antics!

Goats are cool!

Answer 5

yer thats ok!

Answer 6

2 acres is plenty of space. Honestly, one horse would be lonely.  You can get a pony or mini to keep him company, they don't eat much or take up much space.  If you want to you could teach the mini to pull a cart, it is tons of fun!

Answer 7

Miniature horse/donkey or goats. But if you are going to have goats make sure your fencing is really good!!

Answer 8

You do have room for another horse so that htey can keep each other company.  We have had a goat in with ours horses before and they loved each other and were alot of fun to watch together.

Answer 9

goats are excellent mate for horses.  I have a horse farm and a 40 stall barn, and anytime we have a nervous horse in a stall, or a lonley horse in pasture we put a goat with them and they are fine.  I only have three goats, wouldnt want any more and they are pygmy, but any goat is fine.  Horses and goats are two peas in a pod. trust me.

Answer 10

I got my first horse when she was 2 and I was fourteen. She had been alone almost all her young life so she didn't really know any better and because I was madly in love with her and she was in my back yard I spent every single free second with her so I'm sure that made it easier but I would never do it again. I don't believe its fair. The horse I have now is always on the lookout for horse eating monsters and having a body takes away a lot of worry. Another horse would be GREAT because you could take your friends with you but if moneys a problem goats are the way to go especially if you get one with a great personality. They are really inexpensive and can be so sweet and entertaining you'll love it almost as much as you do your horse. I love my obie. He's a great big funny Nubien and my horse loves him too. He's like having a cross between a small pony or a big dog. He's well worth his weight in gold.

Answer 11

I would reccomend going to horse rehoming centers. Get a pony on loan, then if your circumstances ever change, they can go back. But looking at a rehoming center is good, because they always have ponies that need companion homes only, and not many people are interested in them, but I find they are always more loving! Something that is low maintainence that doesn't eat alot is always good as well.

Answer 12

I would have at least 2, to keep each other company, would you want to stay somewhere all day with no one to talk to? lol

Answer 13

2 acres is ample space for a horse, or even 2, but the cheapest thing would be a goat, they eat black berry brambles, and you dont have to shear them like sheep do, and you can get them at your local livestock auction, good luck, we use goats as baby sitters for our weanling groups on our ranch

Answer 14

its enough space. but you could buy a mini (you cant ride them, unless you're like a baby b/c they are so small.. but they are great pasture buds!)

or if you want something small the kids can ride (or small friends if you arent that age :p...) get a shetland.. still small, but can be ridden by people my age~ 14

you could also use..hmm... a donkey, goats, and thats about all i can think of.. except a cow.. but i wouldnt do that unless you want another huge animal to pay for

Answer 15

Depending on where you live, zoning may not allow you to have more than 1 horse, so you are wise to consider other companion animals. Some horses are fine by themselves, others are not. Goats are good, but you'll need to remember that horse fencing won't keep a goat in!

Answer 16

I use to have just 1 horse but after awhile she went kinda crazy to the point where no one could ride her so I gave her away...

I would suggest fostering or adopting a horse, pony, or mini horse from a horse rescue.

Answer 17

I have 2 shetland sheep who the horses get along great with! That is definitely an idea! or a cat... you see lots of cats in stables...LoL

Answer 18

You have PLENTY of land for another horse, the question is can you afford another one, if not, a goat is the next best thing to give your horse for company, not to mention they are a LOT cheaper too. Horses are herd animals and so are goats they both need a friend to be happy, so why not  put them together :)

Answer 19

Ya thats plenty of room but as for stable mates goats,sheep,and llamas are good.  I dont have a stablemate for my horse but for a good reason, when you come to see her shes more interested in spending time with you that seeing what her stable mate is up to.

Answer 20

It's scary to be a lone horse...even a little buddy is better than no buddy at all.  Where I live, we have coyotes.  A pack will sometimes go after a horse, but two animals are better than one...even if number two is smaller.  People keeping foals or small animals like lambs can prevent wholesale slaughters by having one mature, full grown "guard" horse kept in with the little ones.  I read of a place that had separated the foals and kept them all together with no mature horses and the coyotes saw it as a feast.  Anyway, a little guy kept with your horse should work...and it will make your horse much happier.  Goats and donkeys are popular choices.

Answer 21

Yes, I think that is enough space. But if you want another horse, I know there is room for about three in total =D

Answer 22

Anything is fine as long as the horse has a social partner! And as long as they get along!

Answer 23

i have seen horses with goats and donkeys as stablemates.

Answer 24

Goats are great stable mates. The will eat just about anything, including poison oak. And they don't eat that much hay compared to the horse. I would say go with the goat.

Answer 25

as long as whats with your horse doesn't hurt your horse i don't see a problem

Answer 26

Goats are a good stable mate for a horse.

Answer 27

The minimum of space required for a horse to live comfortably is 1 acre/horse, so you have plenty of room for a stable mate. Typically, it is best to keep an animal with your horse that will eat what he eats, and eat what he wont eat. Goats and sheep are great for that, because they will keep your horse company and eat all the brush and weeds that he wont eat. Mini horses and donkeys work great as companions too, but they generally cost alot more and will not only have a larger food intake than a goat or sheep, but they will not eat what your horse wont eat, since they have the same diet tastes. Cows work good too, but they are expensive and require a large amount of feed. Your best bet would be a goat, since they are hardier and dont require shearing, and they are very cheap to buy and maintain. hope this helps!!