Companion?

dwi

dwi

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If you bought some land, more than was needed for your horse, would you look for a companion such as a shetty or would you advertise for someone to share with you? The land in question has no facilities atm although would have a field shelter installed. I don't want or need another to ride. I'm leaning towards trying to find a shettie but are they actually the spawn of satan? I'd need something that would live out 24/7 and be capable of living in a starvation paddock in the summer. There's not point getting a companion if it wouldn't fit with Daisy's turnout. If I did go for a shettie where could I look for one?
 
You could always try and rehome a pony from a rescue sanctuary; I know someone who took on a little black pony from the Blue Cross as a companion - he was a lovely boy, and only a 6 year old, but could not be ridden due to a chronic back problem. I think they still have him now!
 
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Can you section some off and make your own hay/haylage??

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Would be cheaper and easier for me but I don't think she'd regard the haylage as company. That said if we had round bales she'd give it a good kick round the field
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yep, spawn of satan (only based on my unscientific personal experience)

go for a sharer or a loan rescue pone or make hay (Im doing the last of these plus I DID buy the no2 horse)
 
I have just taken a companion rescue Shettie for my pony as my horse was sold this year. He has been great - loves a routine and the odd cuddle. Only thing is he is strong minded and if he decides he's trying to get into the hay shed then by gad will he give it a go. I think he's quite funny wth a great wee personality. x
 
You can have Dinker! Seriously. I don't really need him as a companion any more.

He will live out if something is out with him, but will neigh to come in if left out alone when others go in (understandably). Knows his job (companion) and is very good at it.

Has previously had laminitis, but not since I've owned him from July 2004. Goes out in a muzzle, in a starvation paddock over summer. Doesn't really need feeding but I do occasionally give him a handful of Hi fi lite as a token gesture.

Has feet rasped every eight weeks, good for farrier. Good to lead, box, clip but can be a toad with the dentist (just had his teeth done though before Christmas).

When I had him he was quite bolshy, I will admit, but he's settled down loads now he's used to the routine of being handled and not just a field ornament.
 
If you want a shetland there are usualy loads on adtrader uk. www.adtrader.co.uk you could get some sheep which would be company, and improve your grazing.

Downside of a shetland is that they need working to prevent lami. You could get a driving shetland and learn to drive.
 
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If you want a shetland there are usualy loads on adtrader uk. www.adtrader.co.uk you could get some sheep which would be company, and improve your grazing.

Downside of a shetland is that they need working to prevent lami. You could get a driving shetland and learn to drive.

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Why do they need working?

Mine's not been worked in all the time I've had him (3 1/2 years) and, touch wood, he's never had laminitis in that time. I manage his grass intake over summer very strictly, but he can still live out in a starvation paddock and with a muzzle on 24/7. I'm on rich dairy grass too, with being a farmer.
 
You might as well get something you could ride, I know you don't need another horse to ride but if you are keeping one anyway..................also then you could have friends to come and ride with you and not always be riding alone.
Just a thought !
 
Sorry, misunderstood. In that case ILPH or Blue Cross loan home sounds fantastic. There will be plenty looking for good homes - in fact they tend to get stuck with the ones that can't be ridden.
Just like people, there are good and bad in all breeds, don't be put off. I rehomed a shetland as a companion from a local charity and she had a great life until old age finally caught up with her. We strip graze all our horses and she never had a problem with laminitis or too much grass - the others chasing her off kept her well exercised. Granted she could be a little bugger at times, but can't all horses??
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Because a fit exercised shetland is unlikely to come down with lami. I don't have to restrict grazing or muzzle and it gives the pony mental focus and disciplin. Far easier and better for the pony. Often shetlands who have a rep for being gits are simply bored.
 
I think (can't quite say for certain) that the spawn of satan is actually terrified of Shetland ponies and hides behind his sofa when one is around....
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My old hacking buddy has just rehomed a pony from ILPH in Somerset and it's a lovely little chap, very friendly and steady and has taught her youngster some manners!!
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In that you already use a starvation paddock then I think a shettie would be a great idea. I have 2..never have probs with lami, escaping or anything..Just treat them the same as any horse and they're great..
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oooh this sounds famliar!!!

I rent some land from a lovely lovely farmer. I've got a mobile stable (TOTALLY recommend Chart - its a stable, but on skids so can be moved when it gets poached)

I have one riding horse and cos the field is very secluded needed something to keep madam company.

Because I totally agree with the rescue sanctuaries, and wanted to give an unloved pony a chance, I tried about 8 rescue places looking for a pony (native) to loan and love - reasons they wouldn't loan -

- I didn't live on site
- The pony wouldn't have its own stable
- I'd have to get permission to get it feed/teeth/jabs done
- They wanted around £500 for the privilage

Maybe its the area we're in, and I wound'nt want to tar all sancturies with the same brush but I was really really disappointd and disillusioned. Ended up with a retired broodmare from a friend.

I wish you luck in your search and would be interested if anyone has better expeirnce of resuce ponies in a similar set-up to this.

xxx
 
In fairness, I have tried lungeing Dinker but he has none of it. I could beat him (not that I do) with the lunge whip and he'd still just stand there and look at me with that smug look on his face.

I understand the point you make, but most people that take on companions (and shetlands for that matter) do so because they don't have the time to ride and keep fit a second horse. They want it solely for the company of their riding horse.

If people did have the time to ride or drive a second horse, they'd rarely be looking to a Shetland as a companion. They'd buy something to ride surely?

Fit or not, I can't imagine you'd put your shetland on dairy grazing without a muzzle. I have all four of mine on restricted grazing over summer because the grass here is so lush.....as has been commented in recent pictures, even at this time of year.
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You thought about getting a rescue donkey instead? They are brilliant and horses have real respect for them (due to their higher intelligence!). We had one for years and he was teated with godlike status from all our horses and he was fab, like a big dog.

Just thought I'd throw that into the mix for you!
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You thought about getting a rescue donkey instead? They are brilliant and horses have real respect for them (due to their higher intelligence!). We had one for years and he was teated with godlike status from all our horses and he was fab, like a big dog.

Just thought I'd throw that into the mix for you!
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I had a friend who went to the Donkey Sanctuary but they wouldn't let her have just one donkey. They re-home them in pairs.
 
get a sh*tland you know you want to and on the plus side you wouldn't need a guard dog.

my shetty x welsh was like a bulldog lol i had kids thinking it was funny to cut across my field until i got her and i think it did the trick lol shes gone to play on the beach with some new sprogs now so she is very happy and kids don't dare to come back in in case shes waiting for them
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trallwn farm in south wales is good they home all over the uk and you need references but at least the horse comes with everything and they seem like nice people we were going to re-home one from there but found a pony for sale close to us so it worked out easier google them they have a website and give them a ring?
 
Id personally buy a shetland or go to the ILPH and see if they had something. If you get a sharer, your horse may get attached to the other and they may move. I think it'd be more stable to have a proper companion.
 
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