Having a ' pet' pony and is it the right thing for them not to have a purpose ?

[BBH]

I haven't had the most successful horse owning experiences, and after building a yard am now wanting to give up and sell my remaining younsters but I am not sure what to do with my little Sec A pony.

He was bought as an almost buy one get one free and is a really cool little dude but I don't have a need for him and wouldn't know what to do with him other than some in hand classes and i'm not sure I've got the interest. He's 3 now and a flashy little thing so think he could do well .I do love having him around but i'm not sure its fair to keep him as a lawn mower when he could have so much fun with another family.

Any thoughts.

 

[touchstone]

I think most ponies version of fun would be eating to be honest! Providing the pony isn't neglected and has a stimulating environment and not just left in a field and forgotten then I don't believe that they need a 'job' to do.

You might find that you enjoy just going for walks with him or start driving to get you both out.

 

[rhino]

Have you thought about driving him? That could give him a job to do

Otherwise, no, I personally don't think there is anything wrong with having a pet horse or pony

 

[VoR]

I think most ponies version of fun would be eating to be honest! Providing the pony isn't neglected and has a stimulating environment and not just left in a field and forgotten then I don't believe that they need a 'job' to do.

You might find that you enjoy just going for walks with him or start driving to get you both out.

Yep, I agree. I think that because we all feel we want to be getting out and having fun (after all they are expensive and hard work!), our horses want the same, when, in fact, they'd really be much in a field chomping grass! Amazingly they put up with us dragging them off here-there-and-everywhere (and probably do enjoy it when they are there....having said that, not sure about either of mine and flat work! ).

They are though herd animals so I reckon they need to be able to see and socialise to some extent with other horses/ponies.

 

[forestfantasy]

I have a pet sec a too - rescued from the meat man as a 2yr old!
I did do a lot of in-hand showing with him when i was younger with some success however now he is a field ornament!

He went on loan for a while to a young girl to ride & was super till she fell off jumping a couple of times and then she refused to ride anymore!
Poor lad - he really enjoyed his work.

I've since advertised for another rider/loan but no interest as yet.
He'll never leave me as i couldn't bear the thought of him being passed around and thrashed about like some brats do!
Here he is

 

[Kenzo]

I can't speak for you little fella but I know my horse would live very happily as spoilt rotten oversized pet! being groomed, fussed, taken for walks etc, smooching about the field living the life of riley!

However he would need lots of attention, if I couldn't give this too him then I would be failing him big style, he's the sort of horse that needs attention, not necessary riding or a job as such but he'd need his daily 'me time' where as some horses or ponies are quite happy so long as their eating and with other equine company.

If he’s show quality and you feel he’d have a better life doing more in his life due to his character and the fact that you like to see him do well then sell, if not there’s nothing wrong with him doing what he’s always done, they can’t miss what they’ve never experienced.

 

[amandap]

I suppose you have to ask what job do feral horses have? Do you think they are unfulfilled and unhappy? Having a job is our thinking not the horses. There's tons you can do with him if you want to, TREC, trick training, walks in hand or just enjoying his company. I don't see anything wrong for the horse so long as it is generally content, has enough exercize for him and has horsey mates. I've got one or two (or three ) "pets".

No one asks what do your fish or cats etc. do, do they?

 

[BBH]

See I love you folks your all so sensible

I guess he won't miss what he doesn't know but he's a super pony and I can't help thinking he'll be wasted with me ( not that he'll know that ).

As far as stimulation goes I have no interest in ' doing' anything with him except his care needs, so no showing driving etc etc and he's not backed.

He gets his stimulation from playing with my bullmastiff girls as the other two youngsters he's with ignore him.

So undecided.

 

[Sheep]

Are you able to get a horsy friend for him? Maybe an older retired one or something (less high maintenance than a shetland or something that would need restricted grazing, for example) that would live happily with him- that would be my only concern.

Other than that, nothing wrong with keeping him as a pet

 

[BigRed]

My pet/companion shetland died yesterday and I already miss him. I will be looking out for a replacement now.

I think he had a very good life. His job was being a companion to big horse. He was given exactly the same level of care and attention as my ridden horse. He lived a life of luxury, we played around doing a bit of driving and I used to take him for walks with the dogs. Very occasionally he was ridden by children, and he used to love it, simply because it was more attention. He was a happy pony.

 

[Tammytoo]

You are quite right, he won't miss what he doesn't know! Ponies live to eat, it's their No. 1 priority, so he's quite happy and secure (as long as he doesn't get too fat!).

If someone comes along who suits him, that fine but don't worry about it.

 

[Enfys]

I have two minis that I would classify as pets without purpose.

Charley (32") is rising 4 and has never been broken to saddle although he does lunge/longrein/pops over a few poles etc He is as sharp as a pin and does lots of tricks, his purpose in life is to stop traffic (you would be surprised how many passers by stop to say hello to him) amuse visitors to the farm, play Nanny to weanlings and occasionally go out to shows with my blind friend. He would be the last of my horses I would ever sell.

Rose (36") is 20, broken to saddle and harness and a complete nutcase, she and Charley adore each other. So, apart from the tricks which I have never tried with her she does the same as C, absolutely nothing but give me and many other people a great deal of pleasure.



Cost wise, $35 per trim every 8 weeks or so. Hay? $10 a week between the two of them. Shots? $100 pa. De-worming quarter of a $3 syringe each quarterly. Nothing in the grand scheme of things, I spend more than that on a flying visit to La Senza at least once a month.

Are they happy? Do horses get happy? They'd be happier if I let them out with the big horses on grass, but that isn't going to happen. They get heaps of attention, never want for food, get taken for walks, played with and I don't think they know, or care, that there are other things in life they could be doing.

Big Red, sorry to hear about your pony

 

[Magicmillbrook]

Nothing wrong with being a pet providing he is looked after properly. I would second him having some company - try WHW or redwings

My horses aspirations are to ensure that all rugs are smeared with mud, that all feed bowls and buckets are kept empty and that there is not a single blade of grass in the field that they havent nibbled

 

[TelH]

As others have said, as long as he has other equine company and is correctly cared for I don't see a problem with it at all.

 

[SamanthaUK]

It must be lovely having a little welshie or shetland as a 'pet' just to spend hours grooming and going out driving or showing. Aaaww!

 

[[59668]]

Personally I get annoyed when people have horses and do nothing with them. I think horses need a purpose and a job. All the horses I know have been happier when they have a purpose. Otherwise their world becomes much smaller than it should be.

 

[Enfys]

Personally I get annoyed when people have horses and do nothing with them. I think horses need a purpose and a job. All the horses I know have been happier when they have a purpose. Otherwise their world becomes much smaller than it should be.

Horses for courses.


Hmmm, useless pony? Isn't he serving a purpose? I'd like to see a lot of other 3 year olds do this with a blind person safely. For that alone he is worth his weight in gold to us.

 

[Ruto]

Ponies weren't evolved on this earth to be assigned 'jobs'. I personally don't think a horse would be all that much fussed about not being made to work. As long as they have plenty of grass and equine friends they'll be happy no matter what.

 

[be positive]

Horses for courses.


Hmmm, useless pony? Isn't he serving a purpose? I'd like to see a lot of other 3 year olds do this with a blind person safely. For that alone he is worth his weight in gold to us.

You have just changed my opinion of minis, they usually seem to be opinionated and spoilt but that is priceless

I also think, for the OP that a pony, or horse, is usually content having no purpose as such, they live for the moment and do not have aspirations or dreams. They will be happy eating in a field with a friend or two.

 

[[59668]]

Yes of course that's having a purpose!!! A job doesn't have to be ridden or out competing! Just something to stimulate his mind and give him something to think about. Horses are intelligent. Feral horses have enough to think about with survival and roaming. Captive horses live a very different life and I think need to be given something to do.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Personally I get annoyed when people have horses and do nothing with them. I think horses need a purpose and a job. All the horses I know have been happier when they have a purpose. Otherwise their world becomes much smaller than it should be.

What about having a cat? What purpose do they serve? Or lizards in a tank? Can't see them doing much either.....and don't get me started on small furry things like hamsters...

Why do they need a job? As long as they are well-cared for and happy, and are giving someone pleasure, theres not much wrong with it. By all means you are entitled to your opinion, but to get annoyed with someone elses choice....?

 

[Milanesa]

As others have said as long as said pony is looked after he doesn't necessarily have to be ridden etc. I have a welshie that is also a pet, ridden a few times a year bit serves perfectly as a companion and gets all the care of the others!! I see nothing wrong with it, lucky pony!!

 

[[59668]]

A cat live the life of a cat. Out hunting and playing etc. I didn't give any opinion on other animals so you don't know if I agree with keeping hamsters etc do you?!

 

[amandap]

Fab pics Enfys.

You have just changed my opinion of minis, they usually seem to be opinionated and spoilt but that is priceless

Nooooo! They are only "opinionated" and "spoilt" because they aren't treated like horses. They're just like big horses but little. They need the same basic manners training etc. I love em.

Oh, sorry, I see you have changed your opinion. Great.

 

[DragonSlayer]

A cat live the life of a cat. Out hunting and playing etc. I didn't give any opinion on other animals so you don't know if I agree with keeping hamsters etc do you?!

....but you get annoyed when a horse isn't doing anything? What gives you the right to get annoyed?

If we are going by a horse 'doing nothing' then I can apply that to ANY pet 'doing nothing' and in my opinion, cats are a waste of time. I don't like them, BUT I understand they mean alot to those who own them.

I don't 'get annoyed' just because people have them.

 

[[59668]]

Oh god this is ridiculous.
I can get annoyed at whatever I want! I'm getting annoyed at you for example! And this ridiculous argument.
I never said they shouldn't keep them as pets. I just said it annoys me. My opinion. Not forced on anyone. Over and out.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Oh god this is ridiculous.
I can get annoyed at whatever I want! I'm getting annoyed at you for example! And this ridiculous argument.
I never said they shouldn't keep them as pets. I just said it annoys me. My opinion. Not forced on anyone. Over and out.

You seemed to get annoyed at the tiniest thing then!

I'm not getting annoyed, I'm just pointing out that although you have an opinion and I have an opinion, getting annoyed isn't the answer, is it? One has to accept that it's each to their own and live and let live. I should try that if I were you, no good getting stressed out on things that aren't really that important....

 

[Ibblebibble]

Personally I get annoyed when people have horses and do nothing with them. I think horses need a purpose and a job. All the horses I know have been happier when they have a purpose. Otherwise their world becomes much smaller than it should be.

you may think horses need a job but im not sure all horses would agree with you!, one of mine loves human company but really doesn't 'get' the idea of work, as long as he has his human interaction and can live out with his buddy he is content.

As long as an animal is cared for i really don't think it's anyone elses place to dictate what 'purpose' it should serve!
So OP if you want to keep your little sec a as a pet you do it, if he makes you happy then he's got a job

 

[indie999]

Not at all I am sure they would rather not be lugging us about and my old boy loves his retirement ...am just glad he is excellent on the ground for the farrier and what i need to do with him. Easy peasy. I love just watching my horse in the field etc.