My Shetland pony, Oreo, has been absolutely awful since a few years ago. He's gone from being a sweet, lovable horse who loved to be around people to being an utter nightmare. Back when I first got him he was a devil, but then we started pasturing him with my mothers 17 year old Quarter Horse, and he became a lot sweeter, and had stopped trying to harm any living creature in his way,and before we knew it the two horses were impossible to separate. During the stormy days or cold days we'd bring them to the barn until the weather cleared, and they'd both be whinnying back and forth and trying to stay with each other, usually refusing to move away. then a year or two ago our Quarter Horse had died then my pony started to go the hell in a hand basket, back to biting and kicking. The first time we brought him down to the pasture he shared with our other horse, he was ecstatic, he started to trot and was whinnying, as if expecting the other horse to greet him. DO you think he might just be missing his old pasture mate? And do you think getting perhaps another pasture mate for him, another Shetland or maybe even a donkey would help?

Horses are herd animals so he'd probably appreciate a buddy :-)

Cappuccino said:
Horses are herd animals so he'd probably appreciate a buddy :-)

Thanks! We've been weighing the option of getting a donkey to go with him.

My appaloosa colt is best friends with my donkey. They play more than he plays with my other colt. Just make sure you get a donk that is well behaved. I have a neighbor who had one that was the meanest thing ever and it would jump the fences and attack all the other animals in the neighborhood.

Yes, be careful getting a donkey. We had one, and he would grab our horses be the throat and hang on. But it sounds like your little boy would love a buddy! :)