| "body"> | | | | horses a favor! |
| Horses are herd animals. Herd membership | | | | If adding another horse is not in your budget, you |
| provides security, status, emotional support and | | | | may want to take in a border. Housing someone |
| entertainment. I know this may hurt, but you | | | | else's horse for a small fee can offset your costs. |
| simply can't provide the kind of companionship | | | | But be sure to research any insurance and/or |
| that your horse truly needs. Without a pasture | | | | liability issues before you take this step. Place a |
| mate, many horses get lonely. | | | | classified ad in your local paper. It's like the |
| A lonely horse may pace the fence lines and cry | | | | Personals for horses! |
| or whinny excessively when stalled. Both of these | | | | Horses like to hang out with horses, but they're |
| behaviors can stress to the horse. Like people, a | | | | not so picky that they won't enjoy the |
| stressed horse can develop ulcers. Signs of | | | | companionship of another quadriped. Donkeys, |
| stomach ulcers include loss of appetite, dull coat, | | | | goats and llamas often make great pasture |
| behavioral problems and biting or kicking during | | | | mates. And they generally require less upkeep |
| girthing. | | | | than a horse. |
| Pacing strains a horse's legs. Joint and tendon | | | | There are some medical and herbal options |
| damage can result from this type of repetitive | | | | available for the stressed, lonely horse. Consult a |
| wear. Ringbone can also be a problem, which | | | | qualified professional before beginning any type of |
| results from the constant turning that strains her | | | | medicinal or herbal therapy on your horse. |
| ligaments. | | | | Isolation is not natural to your horse. It's ok for a |
| What to do? Consider a pasture mate. There are | | | | short time, but your horse will not thrive if kept |
| many equally lonely horse companions out | | | | alone. |
| there-consider adopting one. You'll be doing both | | | | |