Horses are social creatures, and while they love your company, they also thrive in environments with other animals. But, what animals would be best suited for your horse? Well, that depends on your horse. Some horses are friendlier than others. You know your horse best, so while you read this list, keep that in mind.
This list is meant to give you a starting point. It’s not fully comprehensive but will offer some advice. You might find what you’re looking for here or you might have to keep searching. Whatever choice you make, it’ll be one step closer to the perfect animal companion for your horse.
1. Man’s Best Friend, Horse’s Too
The top animal on this list is the friendly, neighborhood dog. A dog is a great companion for your horse—with a little training.
It’s important that your dog knows not to chase or bite your horse (or else they’ll get spooked). To train your pup in this regard, include your horse in the training sessions with the dog. That way, the pair get used to one another. You should also get into the habit of feeding your horse and dog at the same time so there is no territory dispute (for help deciding brands, Freshpet reviews is a good place to start).
Certain breeds of dog are better suited for horses than others, such as the Golden Retriever and the Australian Shepard. You want to look at dogs that are big enough not to be crushed by an accidental misstep from your horse. Although if you want something a bit smaller, a Corgi can work well with horses too.
2. Nothing a Cat Can’t Handle
Of course, some horses are just too easily spooked for dogs, and that is totally fine. That’s where a good ‘ole cat comes into play. Cats can get along with basically every other animal, if it suits them. Plus, unlike dogs, your cats usually won’t mind staying in the barn with the horse.
You thought there wouldn’t be any more bonuses, but if your cat(s) are staying in the barn, there goes your rodent problems, too! And you don’t even need to pay an exterminator. Just don’t expect to be able to take your cat out on the trails with you since they are homebodies.
3. Goat Your Hoof?
Goats are great for a few reasons. One, they’ll share a pasture with your horses. Two, they love being in herds, so will be able to develop close bonds with your horses. Three, you’ll have an adorable household addition to your family.
The only thing about goats is that they are wicked smart, meaning you might be dealing with an escape artist. But, if a goat makes your horse happy, it’s worth it, isn’t it?
4. You’re Not Chicken, Are Ya?
Chickens are cool because they love to eat ticks. So they will eat the ticks right of your horses hide, saving you trouble of getting tick medicine. They are also herd animals and will stay close to your horse while they graze.
You might want to watch in case they accidentally get trod on by your horse though. Plus, they tend to be a bit scatterbrained, so they won’t provide the best protection for your horse.
One Step Closer…
This article might have been all you needed to decide and if so, congrats. Your horse will finally have a companion while you’re away. If it wasn’t enough, don’t fret. We have more great advice on ways that you can help your horse feel less lonely. Check out our other articles!
Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.