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What to do ????

lipigirl January 02, 2010 February 22, 2011

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Ok we are moving as you know. To 2.5 acres but they are 2 separate paddocks separated by a long walkway (which is not good for grazing). We currently have the 2 minis together and my Paso is in with a large mini shetland 36" (owned by our neighbour but we look after her) who Applause is in love with and causes chaos whenever she is around. So we have decided not to take her with us as she calls endlessly to him so that he ignores Cherish and also attacks Canela over her. The neighbour hoped we were going to take her but I am not going to - the mare gets attitudy as well around Applause and then me ! So as my husband does not want to buy any more animals but Canela needs a friend - what am I going to do. I found Alpacas for £150 each but as you need 2 then it's £300 and he said no !!! I can't take on any more mini mares as Applause will probably go mad for her too even on loan ! I am wondering if a free mini gelding might work......I liked the Alpacas idea as they don't eat much, don't damage the ground and you can sell the fleece to help pay for upkeep.....but how to get a pair of free ones??!! Ideas please ?

critterkeeper Sat, 01/02/2010 - 15:11

Amanda, do they have an alpaca rescue there (we have a few here in the States, so I am assuming they do there too). That way you can "foster" a couple, and hubby can't complain about the "purchase price" as you won't own them.

Or, you could "foster" another horse/pony (I KNOW you have those over there). A gelding could be a good idea if it is an older one, but I know from experience that it takes a "stud" a while to get over himself once he is cut and he can cause more than a few uproars with other males - even geldings.

lipigirl Sat, 01/02/2010 - 16:17

Thanks CK have looked up Alpaca rescue but there does not appear to be one. I have emailed the local Alpaca farm to see if they loan them out of even need homes for old ones.

I also thought maybe a rescue Lead rein horse for Brianna.

accphotography Sun, 01/03/2010 - 18:49

Are you still interested in a Walker? I'm finally back in town for a while. :lol:

JazzyPaintsnQtrs Mon, 01/04/2010 - 00:11

goats make good companions, I see horses pastured with them all the time, or maybe a donkey!

lipigirl Mon, 01/04/2010 - 04:43

Yes ultimately I am interested in a Walker ACC - do you still have her number? But it may be end of the year not now, but I am looking into it now.

Fizz has given me something to think about and amazingly the Alpaca farm has said yes they would let us have 2 older Alpacas at no cost to us............thing is there is this blue eyed sterile female at another farm that we both fell head over heels in love with as she gives you real kisses but he wants £400 for her, she is 9 and she is deaf !!!!!.....it makes no sense the boys are £150 and younger but I am going to re-ask again end of week if they will lower price.

Jazzy our fencing is not good enough for Goats - they get out of everything and into everything - I do like them but no and CM has warned me that most Donkeys do not get on with dogs so no go there and they are noisey.

So many options !! Probably best to ask hubby which one he wants to go with.

rabbitsfizz Mon, 01/04/2010 - 09:55

Mokes are only noisy on their own, and then I do think they are noisy because they are lonely.I do not rate Donkeys as companions for horses as they do not speak the same language. But you will have the same problem with goats and Alpacas, I doubt they will bond. If you just need something in the field with her then Alpacas would do that, and not cut the land up too badly, either.

accphotography Mon, 01/04/2010 - 19:05

I do. I'm going to try to get out there as soon as hubby is available (hopefully sometime in the next couple of weeks). I will let you know when I have something firmer.

Dilutes Tue, 01/05/2010 - 06:41

A friend I know, has a mini horse and a mini donkey. The mini donkey loves the mini pony. Mini pony is a bit of a bully but they get on pretty well. No real difference to my mare that adores my other mare, who is a bit of (mild) bully to her.

rabbitsfizz Tue, 01/05/2010 - 12:07

Yes, I know it can happen, but it still is not as good as a member of their own species, and if you put out another horse, or another donkey you would find the "bond" was not all that strong, after all!

lipigirl Tue, 01/05/2010 - 13:39

Canela never seems to bond with anyone she is a social outcast, the only ones who don't bully her are the weak ones who follow her around but she is not interested in them either. Having said all that, I still could not put her out without any company - that would not be good at all. I frequently go past a lovely hunter who now lives on his own because he owner says he gets nappy (barn sour) when he lives with another horse - how short sighted is that - and how very sad. :sad