Meet Demon! This feisty little miniature can be a handful, but he’s a great companion for Scout.
Horses are herd animals that feel safer being with other horses. They rely on the herd to detect predators.
A blind horse will understandably feel more vulnerable than a horse with sight. When your horse loses its vision, a safe companion will be beneficial in helping your blind horse adapt more successfully to a life without sight.
Most horses don’t like to be alone, but that’s doubly true with a blind horse.
Having a friend will provide your blind horse with comfort and reassurance. A buddy horse will help your blind friend feel less anxious and more secure.
Some buddy horses will act as a guide for a blind horse, helping them navigate around the pasture.
A blind horse may be hesitant to move around freely, especially in the first few days and weeks of blindness. Having a companion will encourage your blind horse to move around and be more active.
Horses are very social animals that benefit from friendships or relationships with other horses.
They communicate through touch, sound, and smell. Being able to engage in grooming activities or just standing next to each other swishing flies with their tails will allow your blind horse to feel connected and not alone.
Keeping a blind horse with a herd probably isn’t the best idea. There’s a high risk of being bullied.
A blind horse can’t see the warnings another horse is giving them. Horses use body language to communicate with other horses, such as pinned ears and other subtle movements.
Your blind horse could end up getting kicked and bitten and being totally stressed out.
Possible good companions for a blind horse could be a pony, a miniature horse, a gentle older horse, or even a goat.
In the first few days of Scout’s total blindness, we borrowed a miniature donkey from a friend to keep him company, but it just didn’t work out.
He knew there was another animal in the stall next to his, but she wouldn’t answer him when he whinnied.
The donkey wasn’t thrilled about the situation, either. She was old and set in her ways.
And her braying scared the barn cat out of the barn!
When they were turned out together, she would run away from him. Scout was pretty frustrated.
Luckily, we were able to find a miniature horse for sale nearby and make the switch.
We had some reservations about his age. Demon was only two at the time, but the boys settled in together quickly.
And now they’re the best of buddies.
There is very little difference in caring for a well-adjusted blind horse than a sighted horse. With a few precautions, your blind horse will continue to enjoy doing the same horsey things they did prior to blindness.Be patient with your horse as they adapt to a new...
There is very little difference in caring for a well-adjusted blind horse than a sighted horse. With a few precautions, your blind horse will continue to enjoy doing the same horsey things they did prior to blindness.Be patient with your horse as they adapt to a new...
There is very little difference in caring for a well-adjusted blind horse than a sighted horse. With a few precautions, your blind horse will continue to enjoy doing the same horsey things they did prior to blindness.Be patient with your horse as they adapt to a new...