Lonely Horse Syndrome

She may pace the fence lines and cry or whinny when stalled. She'll be stressed and may develop ulcers. Signs of stomach ulcers include loss of appetite, dull coat, behavioral problems and biting or kicking during girthing.

Pacing strains a horse’s legs. Joint and tendon damage can result from this type of repetitive wear. Ringbone may result from all that turning and walking.

What to do? Consider a pasture mate. There are a lot of adoptable horses out there. Not all are ride-ready but most will make great companions for your solo horse. You'll be doing both horses a favor!

If your budget doesn't allow for another horse, you may want to take in a border. Housing someone else's horse for a small fee can offset your costs. But be sure to research any insurance and/or liability issues before you take this step. Place a classified ad in your local paper. It's like the Personals for horses!

Horses like to hang out with horses, but they enjoy the companionship of lots of different quadripeds. Donkeys, goats and llamas often make great pasture mates. And they generally require less upkeep than a horse.

There are some medical and herbal options available for the stressed, lonely horse. Consult a qualified professional before beginning any type of medicinal or herbal therapy on your horse.

Isolation is not natural to your horse. It's ok for a short time, but your horse will not thrive if kept alone.

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