Companion FOR shetland

[anon345]

My shetland recently diagnosed with EMS will likely be staying in her turnout pen with soaked hay on the yard. This is fine at the moment as the other horses are in the winter fields next to the yard. But in the summer they move further away from the yard and she will be by herself.
So currently considering a companion for her, would a goat or sheep work? Or would it need to be another mini?

 

[meleeka]

I’d say another mini. Not much more expense to keep, but they’ll be happier with their own kind.

 

[ElleSkywalkingintheair]

When my shetlands best mate died two years ago I got her her own pet shetland to keep her company. It's just precious to see them grooming each other and plotting world takeovers ??

As all shetlands really need careful management so they don't turn into chubbers a little friend with the same needs would work better than a sheep or goat I think ?

Elle, Shetland Buying Enabler

 

[millikins]

I'd say another mini too. A goat or sheep would prefer company of its own species too and both are actually quite high maintenance animals.

 

[smolmaus]

If you ask your local rescue they may well have one that needs a new home with a similar setup to yours. People get shetlands as companions for larger horses then they end up with problems and in rescue fairly often. You might as well have two with the same needs to keep things simple!

 

[The Xmas Furry]

Would your shetland be able to leave the pen part of the time to go out with others as before, but in a grazing muzzle?
Mine is in during the day (or penned with big shelter too), depending on time of year, and out with B currently at night. She then gets plenty of exercise in pottering up the fields as i only have troughs by the yard - to make them walk a good distance.
In spring when better weather comes, she will be penned at night and out with b in daytime till it gets v hot, when I'll swap again etc.
Having lost my other mini well over 2 years ago, I'm actually grateful i don't have 2, as even way back then they both had different requirements and it was hard for the other pony.

 

[Aperchristmas]

I'd look out for a mini with similar needs - it's almost impossible to rehome minis with EMS so I bet someone would bite your hand off.

 

[splashgirl45]

I would think the charities would have something that needs a similar set up, I would try them first

 

[Sparky Lily]

I am currently looking after a laminitic Shetland after his best friend died, leaving him on his own with no other horses or ponies in sight. The idea was to incorporate him with my lot, but it didn’t work out. His owner is now trying to find a suitable companion home for him, with no success so far. I don’t suppose you are in Shetland Anon345?

 

[Arzada]

In case you're anywhere near/in Devon OP the Miniature Pony Centre, Moretonhampstead has closed. All their ponies, including mini Shetlands, will be looking for new homes https://www.facebook.com/miniatureponycentre

 

[anon345]

Would your shetland be able to leave the pen part of the time to go out with others as before, but in a grazing muzzle?
Mine is in during the day (or penned with big shelter too), depending on time of year, and out with B currently at night. She then gets plenty of exercise in pottering up the fields as i only have troughs by the yard - to make them walk a good distance.
In spring when better weather comes, she will be penned at night and out with b in daytime till it gets v hot, when I'll swap again etc.
Having lost my other mini well over 2 years ago, I'm actually grateful i don't have 2, as even way back then they both had different requirements and it was hard for the other pony.

Unfortunately not, the 2 horses that she could go out with only graze on short enough grass that she wouldn't be able to reach anything with a muzzle on. And even completely grazed down grass she goes laminitic on, only stays sound when in her pen

 

[anon345]

I am currently looking after a laminitic Shetland after his best friend died, leaving him on his own with no other horses or ponies in sight. The idea was to incorporate him with my lot, but it didn’t work out. His owner is now trying to find a suitable companion home for him, with no success so far. I don’t suppose you are in Shetland Anon345?

Unfortunately not in Shetland, I am based in Cambridgeshire otherwise would have been a good idea.


Thank you to all other replies, I think I will contact some charities next month to see if they have any suitable!

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

It depends how old you one is. Many studs are quite happy for their older Broodmare to go off to be companions if they don't plan on breeding from them again.

 

[anon345]

It depends how old you one is. Many studs are quite happy for their older Broodmare to go off to be companions if they don't plan on breeding from them again.

Thank you, she's only 13. This might be an idea if the rescues don't have anything...

 

[southerncomfort]

It's a shame you're not nearer to me as I'm pondering rehoming my mini shetland. She and my Fell pony have such different needs that it just isn't working. She needs to be with other Shetlands on the same regime I think.

Would break my heart though.

 

[HollyWoozle]

It's such a tricky situation - we have this exact issue at home with our EMS mini. We do have a companion for him who, in our case, is not ideal but we are making it work so far. Our pal is a smallish Welsh Sec A who seems to do OK on the limited soak hay but we up his calories with a senior mash twice a day, to offset the fact we can't give him more calories through forage due to the mini. They live in a smallish, bare paddock and have other horses in the next field but it is pretty dull for them. We advertised for a suitable companion on FB and did have some interest, but ending up taking on the Sec A as we know his owner and already have another pony which we bought from her.

I would just say that it's really key to find one with the same or similar dietary needs and of a similar size too - the size is important otherwise it's complicated to get the forage amounts right!