Am I mad considering this?

J

JesterandPatch

Active Member
Joined
16 March 2021
Messages
34
Visit site
Hello,
Haven't posted for years since I had to make the hard decision to have my pony PTS, the heartache was such that I totally gave everything up and gifted his little companion pony to a friend for her children, I was using a rented field and stables and couldn't bear the thought of him being alone or the thought of trying to find a replacement.
current situation is that I now have 25 acres literally at the front of my house, 20 of which the local farmer is using in the interim so have 5 acres sat doing nothing. countless barns and outbuildings that could be turned into stables.
I miss equine company but am not totally sure whether I miss the riding or just the interaction and looking after them.
I have been considering getting two young mini Shetlands (I know 5 acres is far too much for them so would probably track the outside and hay the middle) but am I mad considering it, given that I am now 51 and know they can live up to 30 years!
I have the opportunity to ride with a lovely lady down the road (at my expense) but its just not the same riding someone else's and being tied to their timescales but wonder if I did buy something rideable whether I have the confidence now to do it, my last boy who was PTS was an absolute handful but I understand now he was probably masking pain and trying to tell me enough was enough.

I've looked the local rescues for mini's but surprisingly nothing available.

thanks for listening
 
JesterandPatch said:
Hello,
Haven't posted for years since I had to make the hard decision to have my pony PTS, the heartache was such that I totally gave everything up and gifted his little companion pony to a friend for her children, I was using a rented field and stables and couldn't bear the thought of him being alone or the thought of trying to find a replacement.
current situation is that I now have 25 acres literally at the front of my house, 20 of which the local farmer is using in the interim so have 5 acres sat doing nothing. countless barns and outbuildings that could be turned into stables.
I miss equine company but am not totally sure whether I miss the riding or just the interaction and looking after them.
I have been considering getting two young mini Shetlands (I know 5 acres is far too much for them so would probably track the outside and hay the middle) but am I mad considering it, given that I am now 51 and know they can live up to 30 years!
I have the opportunity to ride with a lovely lady down the road (at my expense) but its just not the same riding someone else's and being tied to their timescales but wonder if I did buy something rideable whether I have the confidence now to do it, my last boy who was PTS was an absolute handful but I understand now he was probably masking pain and trying to tell me enough was enough.

I've looked the local rescues for mini's but surprisingly nothing available.

thanks for listening
Click to expand...
I'm about your age and was planning a herd of minis on my 4 acres after the current oldies have departed (until my health declined). So if you find pleasure in the care and interaction, why not? You can make suitable provision for them in your will if that's a concern. Have you tried approaching any of the larger rescues directly explaining what you want? I know they tend to keep herds of minis that often aren't on the rehoming pages on their websites.
 
maybe consider something else? Plenty want rescuing!

www.worldhorsewelfare.org

Rehome a Horse - World Horse Welfare

World Horse Welfare runs the largest equine rescue and rehoming scheme in the UK. If you choose to rehome you'll receive an honest assessment of the horse and their capabilities, ongoing support and the reassurance that if your circumstances change you can return him/her.
www.worldhorsewelfare.org www.worldhorsewelfare.org

www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

Rehoming Scheme - apply now

If you're considering giving our rescued friends a home, you will be joining an extraordinary group of supporters here in the UK: our Donkey Guardians.
www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk www.thedonkeysanctuary.org.uk

And do I think you’re mad?!

No!! Sounds perfect to me.
 
The only trouble with minis is that you have to be very, very careful with lami/EMS. My Shetland had a (luckily mild) lami flare a few weeks ago despite zero grass! It really is a total pain.

FWIW, I am very nearly 54 & have a Shetland, a Dartmoor, an ex racer & an ISHxWB... You are a spring chicken! Get a couple of ex racers - they would love all that grass! :)
 
Mini’s are a PITA, I had to lie on the floor to clip ours, hoof picking was done at ground level and mud would stick to the legs and belly so much I had to clip them!

Exmoors are beautiful!
 
I would get something rideable. I took over my daughter’s pony at age 50, took him hunting and he taught me how to jump. I had the most fun with him, we did Le trec, camp and all sorts of things. For me minis would be a lot of work for insufficient reward! But each to their own. I admit being very attracted to a mini recently, but I am 70 now so it’s not happening. I still ride a pony who is 13.
 
I have two retired ponies (well, 1 could be ridden but that’s another story) and I get so much joy from pottering about having them as pets. If you intend to poo pick though, the smaller the better! It’s not very fun poo picking after my elephant 😂 there’s a marked difference in the output from my 12.2 to my 14.2 and then compared to my YO 10hh shettie.
The only cost saving is hay (they don’t need as much) and wormers (they can share one) but otherwise costs aren’t dissimilar to bigger ones. Just save on physio, saddler and shoes as not ridden, which does help to be fair.
 
As the owner of minis and biggies I have to say they are a very different feeling. I struggle to explain it but when I lost my big lad I had the 5 minis and I did stuff with them but it wasn’t the same. I don’t mean the riding aspect but there is just something about interacting with a big horse vs a mini. Also something to consider (as we age) is everything for minis is bloody low down! Back breaking lol.

Have you considered fostering for a rescue with two either old or unridable?
 
Equi said:
As the owner of minis and biggies I have to say they are a very different feeling. I struggle to explain it but when I lost my big lad I had the 5 minis and I did stuff with them but it wasn’t the same. I don’t mean the riding aspect but there is just something about interacting with a big horse vs a mini.
Click to expand...


I recognise this feeling. My relationship with my minis was more like having a dog (without the walking). They were great fun, but it wasn't like keeping a horse.
.
 
FieldOrnaments said:
Have you considered fostering, if you're concerned about a pony's lifespan?
Click to expand...
This would be a wonderful thing to do. Both our local rescues are always looking for longer term fosters. The foster homes always end up getting too attached and keeping them so then you need more foster homes!! 😂

If you asked either of them for minis and said they were going out on 5 acres, that's going to be a sticky point. I know you have a plan to track but still a risk! They might have bigger ponies who need a soft landing and could use the grazing. And the good point about it is that if you decide it's not working they can go back!
 
After a good friend of mine has had minis I wouldn’t have one. Yes they look cute , but she has so many issues managing lami etc .
Why not get yourself a ridden one so you can get out and about again . Sounds like you miss that too. Maybe an older one that needs to step down ? Then get a companion or two . Maybe a nice youngster you could do inhand classes with
 
Get the 2 exmooors and get a ridden horse. Maybe an older one that needs a soft landing? But definitely get the exmoors. Minis are like puppies. Incredibly fun when they are someone else's but just blumming hard work when they are your own!
 
Thank you so much for all the replies, I have a lot of digest, think I need to take a deep breath and really thing about what I want, I like the ALL of the ideas and its really made me take a step back and think what would work not only for me but also the land and my conscience knowing there are so many out there that need rescuing.
In the interim I am going to stick some sheep on there to graze it down and get the fencing sorted.
I guess, watch this space :)
 
JesterandPatch said:
Hello,
Haven't posted for years since I had to make the hard decision to have my pony PTS, the heartache was such that I totally gave everything up and gifted his little companion pony to a friend for her children, I was using a rented field and stables and couldn't bear the thought of him being alone or the thought of trying to find a replacement.
current situation is that I now have 25 acres literally at the front of my house, 20 of which the local farmer is using in the interim so have 5 acres sat doing nothing. countless barns and outbuildings that could be turned into stables.
I miss equine company but am not totally sure whether I miss the riding or just the interaction and looking after them.
I have been considering getting two young mini Shetlands (I know 5 acres is far too much for them so would probably track the outside and hay the middle) but am I mad considering it, given that I am now 51 and know they can live up to 30 years!
I have the opportunity to ride with a lovely lady down the road (at my expense) but its just not the same riding someone else's and being tied to their timescales but wonder if I did buy something rideable whether I have the confidence now to do it, my last boy who was PTS was an absolute handful but I understand now he was probably masking pain and trying to tell me enough was enough.

I've looked the local rescues for mini's but surprisingly nothing available.

thanks for listening
Click to expand...
I'd say go for it. Life's too short and it will give you something to 'live for' not literally, but it gives you a sense of purpose.
 
Go for it, if that’s what you want but what’s wrong with a ridden one. So many people seem to think they’re getting old when they reach 50 or 60, but age is just a number it’s how you choose to interpret it.
There have been a few FB groups coming up recently for older riders one is riders if a certain age, some of the comments are inspirational others are depressing. I suppose when you’re 30;or 40 you think 70 is ancient but plenty people still riding 80 +. Just ensure you have a plan B available in case things maybe turn a bit bad.
 
I bought two 2yo mini Shetlands a few weeks ago and they are an absolute joy and delight to have around. They bring a smile to my face every single day. They have lived on the hills in a little stallion herd, and only came down when we bought them, and yet I clipped one of them completely at liberty yesterday. Temperaments are second to none. I am lucky that I can cater for a grass free if necessary or low grass lifestyle though. (Although yes, one of them has already started escaping 🤦🏼‍♀️🤣)

I intend for them to be my adventure buddies and liberty ponies, and hope to train them with the same concepts in mind as my bigger horses but without the same worries about whether they are functionally fit to carry my weight.

If you end up wanting a pair from a breeder, the one I bought from has a gorgeous pair of yearling geldings that we nearly went for.
 
I'm Dun said:
Not minis, get exmoors! They are endangered and need all the help they can get. Plus they are such characters and a much better size fo riding and/or driving
Click to expand...

where would you go about getting exmoors? my favourite native breed and I would love one one day…
 
I did exactly that when I lost my ridden horse and decided not to get another - I'm in my 70s. I got a couple of Shetlands to keep my companion Dartmoor company and they have been an absolute joy despite the worry about lami etc. They were elderly when I got them but that's even better as far as I'm concerned. An additional unexpected bonus was even my non horsey OH has fallen in love with them. We still have too much land so during the summer months a local hobby farmer friend brings a few cattle to graze which is another pleasure. So yes, go for it.
 
At 51 (oh to be that age again) you are far too young to start worrying about your lifespan v a horse's lifespan. If you can't find one from a charity as a fosterer then how about taking one on loan such as a student going away to uni? That way you would get a chance to review your needs/ wants every few years; and if you wanted to do things other than horses you'd have a realistic chance of doing so.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top