Do I want a shetland?

[Supertrooper]

I lost my horse a few years ago now and at the time it wasn't right to get another. Luckily two close friends have horses at the same field and I help with them ie mucking out etc.

As I work 10hr days four days a week it means those days I don't have to go up unless I really want to and I can spend the time up there on days off.

I've recently been thinking though about having one of my own again, not a horse as realistically I don't have time to ride regularly and the hacking isn't very good. But I have thought about either a companion or a shetland. I'd be looking to take one on from a rescue centre.

My friends are keen, they can do pony when I can't, the pony would have company and I could take them out for walks in hand and lunge to keep fit.

I've also just found out I'm being left some money from my grandpa's estate. I'd like to use it for something special and it would help towards costs etc for a good while!

 

[NeverSayNever]

Absolutely! I love mine Everyone said they were cantankerous little so and so’s and real trouble makers but mine aren’t. Temperament is everything but you can do anything with mine. Id advise getting a spsbs registered one so that if you want to show to any level, you can

 

[Loubidy]

YES!! Mine is a little **** but because he's so small its just funny! Such a little character.

 

[Kallibear]

Yes and no. They're funny and sweet but also a bit useless unless you want a pet or you have a small child. They often can't live with normal horses either as they're grazing needs are so different. And they can be a PITA to keep in too.

I personally, if getting a un ridden pet, I would go for a youngster to grow into a valuable and desirable ridden horse later. Something nice enough to show. I'd prob get a yellow dun highland but maybe a nice fell or even a welsh. Or poss a quality ID.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Everyone needs a Shetland in their life! and if you ever feel the need for horse speed break it to drive!

 

[kerrieberry2]

Yes they are the best thing ever. And poo picking is easy. One scoop full a day rather than one barrow full

 

[p87]

Of course you do! Shetlands are fab, I bought mine in September and plan on having a collection!! She's so funny how she keeps the other horses in line yet is just the sweetest, most snuggliest, kiss giving sweetheart ever. I'll sit on her stable floor and she buries her face in mine and snoozes, and she is fab with my three year old son, really looks out for him and follows him everywhere. There are a couple of pics in my sig

I keep her fit by lungeing (going to break her to the cart but that's on the back burner for now) and taking her out walks in hand with the dog or my Arab when he is being a pansy about hacking. She let's him know exactly what she thinks of his creating drama at everything, she booted him in the stomach one time while he was throwing a paddy about walking past a branch sticking out of the hedge... soon shut him up and we continued the rest of the walk in peace lol

Here are some pics, sorry they're huge, no idea how to resize

All set for a boxing day ride, he was wearing so many layers to keep warm plus his body protector so he looks a bit rigid!

She loves water, her water bucket is in double tires as she keeps tipping it over from trying to get in it. This is her in her favourite river, she goes right in until I can't any more unless I want my wellies full!

My son wanted to ride past our house and we met our cat... pony was very excited by this and tried to lick him, cat wasn't too amused!

And one just for cuteness, it's her wee ears I love most!

So yes, OF COURSE you want a shetland!!

 

[Pinky94]

Of course you do. I'd be lost without my little man.

He's ''helpful'', let himself into the house to have a go at doing the laundry.

 

[Shantara]

Yes!

Cookie is a little **** but I love him! He's going through a stage of nipping, which is annoying as heck, but working on sorting it. He really is the easiest horse though. All I have to do is check all 4 legs are still attached and that he's still breathing and leave him to it, if I don't have the time for any fun/work.
Even though he doesn't "do" anything yet, he's super fun to have around and will stand for hours to be groomed and fussed over.
He's pretty good out in-hand and when Ned is back in work, I'm going to teach him to ride and lead Also, when I can afford it, I'm getting a cart for him to pull
I just muzzle him in the summer to make sure he doesn't get too fat.

 

[catroo]

I bought a shetland because like you I wanted an equine fix but don't have the time nor inclination to ride anymore. I now have four!

I show mine and the eldest is slowly being broken to harness. We go for nice long walks which is great for keeping the weight off (me and the ponies!) and I also take them to the beach for a splash around in the sea.

They are fantastically low maintenance, when I'm really busy with work I can do just a couple of 10min checks a day or if I have more time can spend hours and hours with them.

 

[Mrs C]

They are great but no less work that a 'normal sized' horse. In fact more in some cases - think summer muzzling etc... But if you have time and money, any rescue horse could be a nice idea

 

[Adopter]

My two are both young cobs from Blue Cross, I missed the family ponies who were eventuslly pts,and after I retired decided to have a couple of field ornaments to handle and look after, it is really rewarding and fun.

I intended to have a couple of small ones, but thes two re such charactetrs, and seem to constantly grow! Do go and look at a rehoming centre, you will find one to give you lots of pleasure, and free up space for another one needing care.

 

[TwyfordM]

There are plenty of small ponies out there needing a home! I have a welsh sec a, she's got great breeding and is a stunning little mare but she's slightly over height and is the furthest you could get from a kids pony so she was left pretty much and ended up with laminitis so she's not even a good companion .. So i got her free to a good home
She's a spirited one, more thoroughbred than pony, has her quirks and her problems but keeps me busy. She's not rideable, but she gets lunged, walked out, pampered and I've started to teach her tricks now she's a bit older and more sensible, she now bows and does the Spanish walk she's fitter than some ridden horses i know!
I've had her for over 4 years now and im still not 'bored' as pretty much everyone told me i would be!
Go for it, little ponies are better than bigger horses anyday but don't be under any illusions that they will be cheaper to keep. She's had colic twice (one was serious hospital trip impaction)
Laminitis again, slipping stifle due to the box rest. So she now has to be stabled overnight, carefully grazed (muzzled) etc
Mine is like a mini tb, attitude wise and the same accident/illness prone ..

 

[poiuytrewq]

Shetlands are awesome little people! We love ours, we had him free off a gypsy type who tbh scared me into taking him! I was told he was elderly and retired.... Turned out to be 5 yr stallion!!
(I did a lot of researching at the time trying to find if he'd been stolen)
Anyway ff a few years he's now gelded and gorgeous, even stealing the heart of my non horsey partner who calls him his little mate and randomly pops to our yard to say "hello" to the little chap .... Sucker!