miniature shetlands, advice please

[NeverSayNever]

Ive had a standard shetland before, who was full up to height but may be getting one who I believe is a mini, being 34 inches?

One of my fields is fenced with stock fencing but the other is only partially.Am I right in assuming I will need stock fence all the way round or would another couple of strands of electric be sufficient? I already know they can be escape artists and have it set up so my Sec A cant push under, but this would be rather smaller than him again!

Also,do people have these rugged? Are they in some way not as hardy as a standard? Pony is rugged at the moment but my welshie is out naked. Obviously would continue to rug for now rather than suddenly strip the poor creature but wondered for the future.

thanks

 

[claireandnadia]

We have two strands of tape, one quite low and another a bit higher and it keeps mine in but then he's not really in to escaping although he has done it in the past.
Ours has a little light weight for the days that it chucks it down and a little fleece for the - temperatures when he is stabled.
Some people might not agree with our rugs but he's my mum's pony so my/mums decision and the same goes for you, you do what you feel is right.

 

[TelH]

Stock fencing, fourteen pieces of elec fence attached to the nearest pylon, 12ft trench round the field, razor wire, trip wire, mines, armed guards...if a mini Shettie is really determined to get out nothing will keep it in...And if they can't get over/under/through your fence they just teleport out Apart from that I love mine

 

[NeverSayNever]

Stock fencing, fourteen pieces of elec fence attached to the nearest pylon, 12ft trench round the field, razor wire, trip wire, mines, armed guards...if a mini Shettie is really determined to get out nothing will keep it in...And if they can't get over/under/through your fence they just teleport out Apart from that I love mine

lol

 

[joeanne]

Stock fencing, fourteen pieces of elec fence attached to the nearest pylon, 12ft trench round the field, razor wire, trip wire, mines, armed guards...if a mini Shettie is really determined to get out nothing will keep it in...And if they can't get over/under/through your fence they just teleport out Apart from that I love mine

.........you missed the tying of all four feet together!

 

[varkie]

Generally, if your electric is correctly placed, and has a good kick on it, it will keep most shetlands in. But there are some who will not be contained by electric alone, and once they learn how to go through electric, there is no holding them.

I have a small shetland stud, and when selling, we advise people that if they're relying on electric to keep a shetland contained, and it could get out onto a road if it went through it, then the electric is not sufficient. But if they would just end up in another field, or the yard, if they go through electric, then they could see how it goes. If going through electric would allow a shetland to access a road, even if it means going through a couple of other fences, then we feel it is never an acceptable risk.

Rug wise, we don't rug any of ours, they never need them, and unless they're in work and/or clipped, I can't really see the point. If you wish to rug yours, that is up to you. But if you do, just be careful that they're not getting too hot underneath the rugs.

 

[amandap]

Electric needs to have a good kick as varkie says. I find having one strand at nose height is good. I have one potential escapee and keeping a good current is key for her.

I never rug any of them they have very,very thick coats and are just as hardy as full height Shetlands.

Oh and enjoy!

 

[Enfys]

Stock fencing, fourteen pieces of elec fence attached to the nearest pylon, 12ft trench round the field, razor wire, trip wire, mines, armed guards...if a mini Shettie is really determined to get out nothing will keep it in...And if they can't get over/under/through your fence they just teleport out Apart from that I love mine

Stock wire and electric tape at about 2' keeps mine in, it also stops them rubbing their bums on the fencing, stock wire is excellent stuff for full body scratches they think.

They are (in my experience anyway) as tough as old boots, mine have a shelter and they do just fine. As always though no hard and fast rules, do what is best for your pony.

 

[POLLDARK]

Your Mini Shetland should have a good thick coat. Mine gets such a heavy coat that in the recent mild spell he was sweating & rubbing. I've clipped a rug shaped area out so that he can be cooler when mild & rugged when not (everything outside the rug area is hairy ) I seem to have to do this most years at some point.. Put a tractor battery on the electric fence to teach him manners.

 

[ruby1512]

Mine does an SAS roll under the electric fence if it's just that little bit to high, but other than that they stay in ok the bottom peice of tape has to be quite low though.

 

[Stinkbomb]

I have minis and the outer area for my field is electric fencing and hedge. I have a five strand fence around the outer area as they are grazed next to big horses and one of my minis is a Stallion. However if i seperate my fields out i use a three strand fence. To prevent any crawling under, through or over!!

As below!

 

[juliette]

With regard to rugging they really are as tough as they come and do tend to be hot when every other equine is shivering and asking to come in!

My friend's mini is enclosed by electric tape but it is attached to the mains!! However, the outer fence is stock wire. She is a devil for pushing through the gate, or nipping past you when you don't expect it!

She is however adorable and we find she makes us laugh out loud every day!

 

[Orchardbeck]

We have 10 minis, they are certainly as hardy as standards and grow lovely thick coats so never get rugged -their insulation is so good snow won't even melt if it falls on their backs. We have stockproof fencing (pigwire netting) and have never had an escape yet. We just make sure they have somewhere to stand inside if they need to in bad weather but they rarely do.

The field they are in is very undulating with loads of low trees for shelter, a stream and quite poor grass which keeps them slim as laminitis is shetties' worst enemy unfortunately. They get hay when necessary.

They live as a herd but are all really friendly with their own little quirks!

 

[NeverSayNever]

thank you guys, lovely pics, would love to see any ridden leadrein pics you might have...

pony in question is about 34" so actually am questioning if she might be a small standard, she isnt registered.

there is no way i would have her rugged through winter but obviously she has been so far this winter by her current loaners so would continue for now rather than suddenly strip her off, especially since its suddenly gone much colder.