Best companion animal for horse?

[durangosmom]

Hi all,

Just wanting to get everyone's opinion on the best companion animal for a horse - I mean, besides another horse.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Heather

[bndranch]

The most common one I have heard is goats.......But I know my mare would eat it LOL!!!

[twosuperstudponies]

I had a pot bellied pig named Louie! He and my ponies became best friends. I had to give him away though because he beat up one of my neighbors hog hunting dogs to get to the dog's food. I've had goats too but the ponies didn't seem to really care for them! Especially the male goat he was always trying to have his way with my little COLT and would head butt the ponies with his horns and he was a PYGMY! My pony Star would pick up the goat by his neck hair and throw him and the dang thing would keep coming back. I gave him away, too! Don't get me wrong though I really like goats especially cute little girl goats I just don't want to own an old male goat ever again! But, I guess you could neuter a male and then he would probably be better mannered.

What kind of horse is it?

[durangosmom]

HI,
So Goats are good companions for horses? Go figure! That is great.... Anyone else with goat storeis?

[wisteriafarms]

I have also heard that goats are good companions for horses.

Brittany, I would've thought you'd say chickens!!

[bndranch]

LMAO well for Sweet Pea it was chickens.............Again Kie tries to pound them into the ground anytime they are near her.......Heck with Sweet Pea give her a cow and shes happy

[darbyponygirl]

I have heard that donl=keys like minis or reg. size are good they are easy care and also heard goats but do remember with a goat you will have little poops all over that you can't clean up that would drive my mom nuts that is why we don't have a goat lol

[coloredarab]

We had a goat as a companion for the horses at one time. I had to give him away because he always made peepee on his beard and smelled REALLY bad! He and my old gelding used to butt heads too.

[birds75]

We have goats for our horses, you can pick up a wether (neutered male goat) very cheap. They are easy to feed and care for, they need their hooves trimmed every few months. The plus with the goats, they eat the odd things in the pasture the horses do not like. Just remember to not feed horse grain to the goats (can cause kidney stones) and Goat grain to the horses (Toxic to horses).

[birds75]

And wethers do not pee on their faces, only bucks do that.

[kitcat0601]

My cat hangs out with the mare and foal. They like the barn cats. My yearling used to play with my puppy. He was so gentle with him. It was so cute to watch. Now he goes spastic with his jolly ball. My trainer said she has never seen a horse play with a ball like that before. He flips it everywhere.

[patty dukes]

I seen a woman years before I got my first horse she had a horse and a Blur Heeler that were best friends. I don't know why but I seen this horse let this dog run, jump and swing back and forth on this horses tail. Needless to say the horse had some hair loss but I guess that might have been his way of playing with this dog. I seen the dog do this several times. It looked like the horse may have been moving it's tail for the dog to swing.

[steluna]

Why do male goats pee on their beards??

[patty dukes]

I was told it attracts the females.

[twnpnds]

Goats can be great companions. A friend's horse had a goat for a best buddy. The goat even went to shows with them. Her mare wouldnt go without her. It seems that the horse usually picks it's companion. It may like one goat and not another. I have seen horses that would chase all but one cat out of their stall. Bucks pee on their beards and on their front legs. This is used to mark their territory, including their does. Our buck used to rub his chin on the does. Even when they were pregnant. While the pee isn't pleasant that's not what makes them smell so bad. They have a scent gland on their heads in between their horns or where their horns would be if they are hornless. It smells worse when does are in heat. Some does also have a smelly gland but it's not as strong.