pastie2
Well-Known Member
Well I certainly wouldnt geld in this weather either. Flys, frost are just as bad as each other.
new owner needs advice
- Thread starter mini-shetland-shaun
- Start date
Queenbee
Well-Known Member
TBH with you shaun, you're responses do not seem troll-like to me, a troll is someone who posts irresponsible **** just to get a rise and cause contraversy (either you are genuine or a very poor troll
) It is good that you have a knowledgable friend or two and commendable that you have sought advice, i believe that no matter how knowledgable you are it is always a good thing.I do sort of see the vets perspective (shetties are wont to have very short legs and are therefore so much closer to the mud!) However, I have never been advised by any vet or person who I feel is knowledgable in such matters to leave a horse until summer, perhaps spring, but with the weather this cold, there really is not much chance of mud splashing anywere since it is frozen solid to the ground. I would say that now is as safe a time as any to geld and much better sooner rather than later. I am assuming your friends welsh pony is not a mare, and gelded (no judgement on your friend) wont do to have 2 testosterone fueled 'little-big-men' in the same field if you get my meaning
horsey mad matt
Well-Known Member
None of us mean to be nasty or sacastic we just want the best for the pony, alot of us didn't start out by buying a horse straight away, but going to a riding stables and learning from there or spending time with horses before. it's nice that you are interested in horses as it is a great sport to be involved with, we are all only trying to HELP!!!
tristar
Well-Known Member
hello shaun, i have mine gelded after the last frosts and before the flies, both of which can cause healing problems, early spring is good, after he is gelded he will be much nicer to handle and find it easier to concentrate on what you are trying to teach him, to led politely and pick up his feet.
hoof trimming every 6 to 8 weeks, feet grow faster at certain times of year.
worming, very important, whatever product you use read the instuctions and give the correct amount for the bodyweight, your vet can advise on this, and always redose at the correct interval, some products need repeating 4 -6 weeks some go to 13 weeks.
try to find other people with mini horses on forums etc for support and knowledge special to such small ponies, also so you can learn from them the best ways of controlling his weight as he grows older to avoid the awful problems of laminitis.
if you find he gets under the fences use electric tape, special tack is available for these very small ponies.
have a horse dentist to look after his teeth a bit later on and follow their advice as to how often he will need his sharp edges rasping. and have fun!
hoof trimming every 6 to 8 weeks, feet grow faster at certain times of year.
worming, very important, whatever product you use read the instuctions and give the correct amount for the bodyweight, your vet can advise on this, and always redose at the correct interval, some products need repeating 4 -6 weeks some go to 13 weeks.
try to find other people with mini horses on forums etc for support and knowledge special to such small ponies, also so you can learn from them the best ways of controlling his weight as he grows older to avoid the awful problems of laminitis.
if you find he gets under the fences use electric tape, special tack is available for these very small ponies.
have a horse dentist to look after his teeth a bit later on and follow their advice as to how often he will need his sharp edges rasping. and have fun!
mini-shetland-shaun
New User
thankyou all very much for your advice!!!
rest assured i am not a troll... i dont think
i thought the vet said spring/summer time perhaps she said spring/autumn
i was told by the previous owner to buy a "mineral block" for him.. does anyone else have one for there shetland?
shaun
x
rest assured i am not a troll... i dont think
i thought the vet said spring/summer time perhaps she said spring/autumn
i was told by the previous owner to buy a "mineral block" for him.. does anyone else have one for there shetland?
shaun
x
L&M
Well-Known Member
Hi Shaun,
I have 2 shetlands and they are great fun.
Feed wise they survive on a 3/4 acre bare paddock and still look fat! They only time I give feed is when there is deep snow on the ground as they can't get to the grass, and then give hay and a handful of chop/chaff. I don't give then a mineral lick.
Make sure a clean water supply is always availabale.
Mine will not wear rugs!! Shetlands and minis have a different coat to 'normal' horses as have a waterproof layer under their topcoat. However when looking at suitable grazing try to find somewhere with a hedge or trees to provide natural shelter.
In terms of routine issues, mine have their feet trimmed by a qualified farrier every 3 mnths. They are also wormed 4 times a year and your vet of wormer supplier can advise you on what type/quantity to use. My vet also attempts a teeth rasp once a year, which can be a challenge...!!
The other thing you need to do each year is to have him vaccinated for flu and tetanus.
Make sure when you purchase him you are given his passport as it is now a legal requirement.
Good luck!
I have 2 shetlands and they are great fun.
Feed wise they survive on a 3/4 acre bare paddock and still look fat! They only time I give feed is when there is deep snow on the ground as they can't get to the grass, and then give hay and a handful of chop/chaff. I don't give then a mineral lick.
Make sure a clean water supply is always availabale.
Mine will not wear rugs!! Shetlands and minis have a different coat to 'normal' horses as have a waterproof layer under their topcoat. However when looking at suitable grazing try to find somewhere with a hedge or trees to provide natural shelter.
In terms of routine issues, mine have their feet trimmed by a qualified farrier every 3 mnths. They are also wormed 4 times a year and your vet of wormer supplier can advise you on what type/quantity to use. My vet also attempts a teeth rasp once a year, which can be a challenge...!!
The other thing you need to do each year is to have him vaccinated for flu and tetanus.
Make sure when you purchase him you are given his passport as it is now a legal requirement.
Good luck!
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millimoo
Well-Known Member
Warning about mineral blocks - my shetland eats them in one go.
Mine also lacks much respect of electric fencing and has been known to run through 2 strands - we now have longer posts and 4 strands which seems to work.
To defend my rugging, mines 24yrs old now, and gets chilled when it's cold and wet because he's stabled at night all year round so doesn;t grow as much coat as he used to when turned out 24/7
And he's stabled all year round because he has the same routine as my mums horse.
Tin hat on ;-)
Mine also lacks much respect of electric fencing and has been known to run through 2 strands - we now have longer posts and 4 strands which seems to work.
To defend my rugging, mines 24yrs old now, and gets chilled when it's cold and wet because he's stabled at night all year round so doesn;t grow as much coat as he used to when turned out 24/7
And he's stabled all year round because he has the same routine as my mums horse.
Tin hat on ;-)
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