Horses are stressful! (Levi the mini colt)

[Serena]

Getting ready for this littel bugger is making me crazy. ...
Fence almost done... Thought I had a wonderful sweet gentle trained mare to go buy for a companion. For a steal price too! I was trying to set up a horse trailer and someone else snapped her up. *waaa* So talking to someone else... they ahve a mare that "needs work" here is what they said about her.
"need work but with time she will let you come up to her. she is a ladies horse much calmer around them. a little more work and she'll be in your pocket"
I asked for more details... might go check her out. Shes a little more than the one I wanted. This one is prettier... but I want the personality more than looks.
I havent worked with Levi much more with halter. Just on and off a bit. He got a little cut on his back that we doctored and with the heat I dont like getting him worked up. I am going to start building a small roundpen to work with him in next for when he comes home. Hubby has cleared a companion.... and even grumbled that hes going to have to buy a horse trailer. When I said We might be able to get by with a small stock trailer for like goats etc he said no... cause then you are going to find some way to end up with a big horse and we will need a big horse trailer...( sucker!) gotta love him. *note to self... start buying more fencing for the rest of the acrege!
Hubby is talking now about building 3 areas of fence so we can alternate grazying area so they can graze and not turn the areas into a total drylot.

Forgive me if I am rambling... hot and tired and sunburned from being outside doing fence!

[jill.costello]

In my opinion, I wouldn't get a mare for a companion for the baby who won't come up to you "yet".....the baby needs a good role model. Now, that may sound anthropomorphic, but horses *do* copy other horses in their herd.

I might try to find a YOUNG mare, low on the pecking order, who LOVES people.

[Serena]

Im wondering if shes like Levis "herd" if they dont know you and you just stride up to them they mosey off suspisciously, but if you walk up slowly and talking to them(carrying treats cancels that need of course) they will come say hello and ask for attention and visit and let you catch them.

I am probably driving them crazy with questions trying to determine if I want her or not... they replied and told me "She has character, our 8 year old goes around her. As far as work, you can't just go saddle her up and expect her to do well, she needs to be warmed up because no one has rode her since we have had her. " Hmm....

I am not rushing... I kick myself for missing the other one... she was exactly what you were describing... gentle loves people and a lovebug. Darn darn darn.

I want to steal Levis herd. They are the neatest blend of personalities... one is a snugglebug, Levis momma is friendlty and interactive but not to big on being touched, one mare prefers you to brush her but not talk or get lovey, one mare is quiet and cautious and stays away.

Crazy husband clicks with Levi like crazy! Levi is in love with him and lets him handle him and push him around!

[wolffeathers]

"horses are stressful"

Welcome to horses! LOL!

Be very select in finding a mature companion. He will pick up habits, good AND bad, from her.

[SFM in KY]

Two things would discourage me about the mare you're looking at. First, the "needs work but with time she will let you come up to her". You don't want anything that 'needs work' at this stage of things. You need something that will establish the habits you want in Levi ... and "needs work" can translate into a lot of different things.

Second, the "As far as work, you can't just go saddle her up and expect her to do well, she needs to be warmed up because no one has rode her since we have had her" ... and they know she can be ridden without bucking, shying, spooking, running away how?

You do not need another project. Look until you find something that is quiet, reliable and will help you teach Levi what is expected of a well mannered equine ... not something that you need to teach/train first.

I would also be sure to find out if whatever horse you get has been out with youngsters AND with minis as well. I had a very well mannered TB mare absolutely freak the first time she saw a mini ... 'IT'S GOING TO EAT ME!" ... seriously. It took us several days before we were even sure she would stay in the pasture with one and she never did get really comfortable with it.

[jill.costello]

Gosh, I wish I could loan you Tony the Pony. He has raised 5 weaned foals and puts manners on each and every one of them, without ever being rough or mean. An older, retired broodmare that isn't grumpy might be a good choice. Many people are giving away their broomares that are too old to produce foals anymore. My Sammie R is 28 and LOVES foals...she'd steal one from any mare right now if I let her! And she hasn't had one of her own since she was 19!

[jill.costello]

You might put a "home available" ad on craigslist.... "need a gentle retired broodmare to be an Auntie to our new weanling mini foal"

[Serena]

Laughing at the ITS GOING TO EAT ME! *snort*
All of the companions I am looking at are minis. I like the feed bill of the mini compared to a big horse! I might go check out the mare, but am sure not rushing... If I wanted another project I would be buying his halfbrother who is the same age.... hes easy going and calm but another baby needing teaching.... hence why I am trying to find a good older mini first.

[Serena]

Just saw your other post after I posted mine... ad is already on craigslist.... thats where I have found the two mares I mentioned.

[GrannyCarol]

I'm sure that there will be the perfect mare for you. I wouldn't rush to get one to just have company for him - look around a little, be patient. The wrong mare will be nothing but a headache. I'd think that having good ground manners and being very friendly are the two most important things you need atm. Here there are minis offered all the time and they are not expensive, dunno about there.

[Maura]

Don't rule out donkeys. They cost less than horses and right now you can get them dirt cheap. But, the same rules would apply. You want one that is used to be handled, driven, and gets along well with others.

[Serena]

Hubby says no to a longears. I have tried and tried and tried and he is adamant.... the one thing I KNOW I wont get away with(I bully him on so many things... gotta respect him on a few things to balance it out..) I have to find another mini horse.

Uggh.... I am so tempted to take the money I have saved up for his companion and stockpile feed instead, I feel like I am running out of time. (I am an obsessive planner and preparer... gott have it all done ahead of time or I am a total mess)

[Serena]

OK i AM NOT getting the little mare that I was talking about. She is spooky, headshy, cant put a lead rope on her without a fight, turns her butt to you when you aproach her, she will lead OK but crowds you when you arent leading. Doesnt come up for attention, and is generally scared. She would let me touch her neck and shoulder but head and chest and legs and feet and butt she tried to take off and spook. I was able to lead her around the pen and out the gate into the yard with no problem, but touching her she spazzed. I took the lead rope off that they had on her when I showed up and then tried to approach her to put it back on and she ran ran ran ran around the small pen staying out of reach. IF I were looking for a project and didnt have Levi I might give her a shot, but he is my priority. Oh...come to find out the mare is less than a mile away from me... I could literally walk her home if I had wanted her....

So back to the drawing board....

[SFM in KY]

Smart lady. Youngsters learn those kinds of things quick.