foal and minature pony

[buzzles]

Do you think it would be safe to put an 8h minature shetland in with a 3 1/2 month old colt (now about 12h)?

I've never put the mini in with any of the other horses as I'm afraid they'll injure him, although he does talk to them over the fence. The colt is a bit lonely at the moment as his mum is on box rest, she's confined to a field shelter but he is able to go in and out to her through a gap. They have sniffed over the fence and the mini is the only horse that Basil doesn't 'mouth' to, but Basil can be quite boisterous and I'd be worried he might injure the mini with his high jinks. Also the mare hates little ponies with a vengence and I'm not sure if she'd approve of Basil keeping company with one and if the mini went into her pen through the gap she would kill him, even on 3 legs!

So how important is it that Basil has some company and would the mini be a good idea? The mare's accident and subsequent box rest has messed up all my plans for him!

 

[Christmas_Kate]

9.3hh shettie in my siggie is currently out with a 16hh (approx) hunter and a 15.2hh welsh / arab (who hates him). he's quicker than they are and hasnt been kicked to date. If anything, he sticks up for himself pretty well.

 

[cobden99]

My 8.2hh mini (spotty pony x shetland - I think !) goes in with my 15.2 welsh cob who is a complete bully - although he has mellowed now he is 8 ! He (the mini) just kept out of trouble and never challenged him, and now they are best friends even though there is a mare in with them. In fact the mini quite often starts the play fights by going and biting a kneecap LOL !! I do think its important that youngsters have some company. Is there any way you can make sure the mini cant get in with the mare ?

 

[suzyseymour]

I have a 9hh shetland in with my 2 mares. Only of my mares is 15.2hh and the other is 17hh. The 17hh and my shetland are head over heals in love and totally inseparable and have no problems at all. I'm sure he'll be fine!

I think it is important to have an older horse in with a foal to teach it some manners and learn that its not the boss. My 17hh was a foal when I got her and my older mare is definately kept her in check. I think this is important for babies and youngsters.

 

[Stinkbomb]

Sorry ill have to disagree with everyone!!! LOL!!! I wouldnt put my minis in with another larger horse tbh its just not worth the risk. I appreciate all horses are different and its great that everyone elses minis get on so well with bigger horses. Inky used to be out with a section b colt but he just got too boistrous. He started picking Inky up by the scruff of his neck making it really sore...... Thus Ty came along!!!
I suppose it would depend on the horses and the minis personality. It just didnt work for me and wouldnt try it again... sorry

 

[Chumsmum]

My minis go out with bigger horses but I am careful about exactly which horses. Norman has 'wonky' legs and I worry about him not been able to get out of the way quick enough but he is currently out with a 15hh 2yo filly who only has front shoes on and they adore one another. Cassidy is currently out with my 14hh pony Chumley and tho' Chum is a grumpy old man and puts his ears back, Cassidy totally ignores this and plays round him

I think the mini and the foal would be okay together but I would worry about the mini getting in with the mare.

 

[buzzles]

Stinkbomb- see thats what I was worried about, mini is 17 though and is fairly laid back and chilled out. He's out with the sheep at the moment but has developed a worrying obsession with one of the ewes, he follows her around everywhere, lets her eat out of the same bucket as him and even tries to groom her, I think he might need some equine company!
He'd probably be able to cope with the foal I'm just worried he might run into the mare. Basil stays out most of the time now and only goes in to the mare when he wants a lie down or a drink so I might just block in the gap and then try them together for a short time under supervision and see how they get on.