Cow and horse together

[pmitch10]

We have an 8 mo. old Highlander and am thinking of getting a smaller horse to keep her company plus for my granddaughter. Does anybody have any experience with keeping the two together. We are looking at a Halflinger which is a small sturdy horse.

Just curious.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

You can keep them together but, watch the minerals and supplements you use. There are some minerals and supplements that are okay for cattle but not for horses.

When DH took over the farm his father had Belgin workhorses. They were kept in the same pasture as the heifers. Other than watching the minerals and supplements they worked good together. There are weeds (our pastures are rock land and can't be turned over to be seeded) that the cattle wouldn't eat that the horses ate and vise versa.

 

[pmitch10]

What minerals and supplements.......like the salt and mineral blocks you give them?

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Salt blocks are okay.

I checked with DH (he works in a feedmill) and he says it's Rumencin.

 

[laughingllama75]

personally, I would not mix the 2, unless you highland is dehorned. It will mean serois injury to the horse, eventually. Cows and horses react to things differently.....horses kick, bite and run off. Cows head butt, shove and sometimes kick.......
Just be careful, thats all.

 

[wynedot55]

do not feed any feed that has urea in it.because urea can an will kill a horse.

 

[pmitch10]

hhhmmm.....so overall it probably is not a safe nor smart thing to do.

 

[Thewife]

We used to have 4 horses running with the herd, some times the horses would get a little wild and chase the cows. I only had one cow bother the horses, she was as big as them and did not like them near her calf!
When I only had one horse, they got along well, he would hang out with the calves.
It seems the horses were always top dog, so in the winter, the horse had to be penned.
Neighbors had horses running with their cows too.
I think it would really depend on how each feels towards the other!

I love the Halflingers, I kinda have my eye out for one! We won't tell Hubby, if I ever come across one I can afford, I'm getting it!

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Our neighbor has half dozen or so horses running with their cows. Their bull has huge horns. No problems.

 

[laughingllama75]

I guess the point I was trying to make was that if you wanted to take the chance, it might work. there are no guaranties in life....... I am not willing to have my horses gored so I dont house them with my cattle. I also do not house my llamas in with my horses, as I do not want a llamas leg to get broken by a misplaced kick. I do know people who do both.....some have had a bad time of it, like the horse that lost its eye to a horn (goat horn actually) and some do just fine. Use your judgement, your the only one that can decide whats best for you and your animals. Also, if you can afford the vet bills.....all the more reason to try it.