Colorado Horse Rescue started our Companion Connection program with two main goals. To thoughtfully increase our placements of deserving retirees who are in need of homes, and to showcase the value these horses give to both people and other horses. To learn more about how we’ve increased our placements of non-riding companion horses, check out this article in ASPCA Pro.  

We are continuously educating horse owners, and those new to horses, about why horses thrive when living with other horses, and the value a companion horse can bring to your life and herd.  

Horses are instinctually prey animals who, in their most natural state, live in herds for purposes of safety and survival. When we ask a horse to live in isolation, we are creating an imbalance in their natural behaviors and can create unnecessary stress on the animal. Horses who live in isolation are prone to developing behaviors like weaving, cribbing, pacing, and other learned helplessness behaviors. Horses kept alone can also exhibit weight loss and other health issues due to living in a state of stress.  

Every horse is different and may display signs of stress differently. For some horses, you might notice these more extreme behaviors. With others, you might notice a lack of natural behaviors. You may observe that your horse is less willing to lay down as they don’t have a companion horse to watch over them; you may also see your horse is less active or curious of their environment over time. They may even become more vocal and call out more frequently. All these behaviors, big or small, are indicators that a horse in isolation is dealing with stress and does not feel safe or enriched by its environment. 

When horses live with other horses, you will see natural behaviors like mutual grooming, playing, and less signs of stress in their everyday behaviors. Overall, horses are herd animals, and it is not natural or fair to ask them to live in solitude. While every horse might react differently to its environment, no horse would choose to live on its own. 

When given the opportunity, horses are highly social animals who get mental enrichment from living within a dynamic herd. However, not everyone is able to house and care for an entire herd. To ensure your horse is able to partake in their natural behaviors and feel secure in their environment, having at least one companion horse for them is a great solution. 

Often, people might assume that a non-riding horse is a horse with health issues. This is not always the case. At Colorado Horse Rescue, we have a variety of non-riding horses available and in need of homes who can enrich your horse’s life. Some simply never got started under saddle, and in their late teens, we choose to place them as non-riding. Others have had lifelong riding careers and will simply thrive best as a “retired from riding horse” but could still tote a kid around on their back from time to time. 

Understanding our horses’ natural instincts and behaviors is crucial for providing them with the proper care they need to thrive. We are eager to assist owners in finding the right companion for both them and their horses and also help these deserving animals find loving, forever homes. 

Learn more about our Companion Connection Program at CHR.