Tips for Preventing Loneliness in Your Solo Equine

Any horse owner can attest to the social nature of horses. We have all seen our horses frolicking in the fields, grooming each other, and at times asserting the pecking order. The social nature of horses is the primary concern of horse owners who keep their horses alone.

While some horses will thrive in a solitary environment, others can be prone to loneliness. A lonely horse is a stressed horse, and stress can cause behavioral and health issues in horses. Below is a list of behaviors that could indicate that your horse is lonely. If your horse is displaying signs of loneliness the only answer isn’t just to buy another horse. While for some horses an equestrian companion may indeed be the best option, there are other steps you can take to combat your horse’s loneliness. (Please note that the behaviors on this list do not necessarily or exclusively indicate that your horse is lonely, but could be symptoms of something else entirely, so use discretion.) 

Signs of Loneliness in Your Horse

1. Acting withdrawn or not alert.
2. Stress manifested as restless behavior or anxiousness: an example would be pacing the fence line  
3. Cribbing 
4. Loss of appetite

Companion Animal 

One option to provide the socialization your horse is craving is getting a non-horse companion. In many cases this is a cheaper and less involved option than buying another horse. One of the best companion animals for horses is goats. I have never kept horses and goats together, but I certainly see the benefits of the pairing. For starters, goats are usually pretty low maintenance meaning their care won’t take away from the time you get to spend with your horse. It’s also convenient that they not only eat what horses eat, but they eat what horses don’t eat. Meaning they can help keep your pasture clean by eating weeds and fallen leaves. 

Another option for companionship is donkeys. Donkeys make great companions for horses because they are also in the equine family. However, because they are equines that means they can need as much attention and care as your horse. If your keeping your horse alone for financial or time reasons than a donkey is most likely not going to be a good fit. 

Some other options include sheep, cattle, alpacas, llamas, dogs, and cats. Chickens are even an option! While they would provide little in the way of socialization, chickens can be a good distraction for a lonely horse. I actually wrote a whole blog post on the benefits of keeping chickens with your horses! As you can see there is a long list of animals that could provide your horse with socialization and companionship. My advice would be to study the animals that interest you and find the best fit for both you and your horse. 

Keep Your Horse Busy 

The busier your horse is the less time they will have to be lonely. This is one of the reasons why it’s a good idea to keep a solitary horse on pasture. I know that pasture is not always an option or the best option for some horses due to health reasons, but if you can, keeping your horse on pasture will be a great benefit to them. Grazing can help keep your horse occupied. When grass is in short supply, try using a slow feeder or spreading the hay in multiple piles across the paddock. This keeps your horse occupied and moving; horses are used to searching for their food. Boredom busters or toys can also be used to keep your horse busy. Read my review of a hay-pillow slow feeder or check out my horse popsicles recipe! There are tons of items on the market as well as DIY options that you can use to keep your horse busy. 

Spend Time With Your Horse 

When keeping your horse alone, it’s important that you act as your horse’s companion and leader. You don’t have to spend hours with your horse everyday to be a good companion as giving a few minutes of attention every day can go a long way. Teaching your horse tricks is a great way to spend time with your horse that is engaging for both of you. Grooming your horse often is also a good idea. Not only does grooming build companionship, but your horse doesn’t have other horses to groom him so it’s up to you. It’s important that you assume a leadership role with your horse; this is true whether your horse is alone or not. 

Group Rides 

Another thing you can do to help your horse is go on group rides. Have fun arranging trail rides or outings with your equestrian friends. Having participated in my fair share of horse-get-togethers I can say that not all horses get along so be smart about how you plan and execute outings with your horse. 

Keeping a horse alone can be challenging. It requires time and attention, but it can be done. The key to keeping your horse alone is to keep him busy, be his leader & companion, and to, if possible, provide alternative companionship to fulfill your equine’s social needs.

This post is dedicated to my cousin, Adalyn, who brought her first horse, Mocha, home not too long ago. I hope that this post encourages and equips my cousin and other horse owners as they care for their solitary equines. 

Tails & Trails,

Reese