New owner with Shetland ponies

[Bertie83]

Good afternoon everyone we have just purchased our first two Shetland ponies and have very little experience so need to learn fast so any tips much appreciated ?
I have read lots online about ragwort and have noticed several plants growing in the field please see pic
can anyone
Thanks in advance

 

[Gloi]

The right hand leaf is a possibility, pull up the whole plant and post it for a better look.
Shetlands get fat very easily so you have to be careful they don't get too much grass especially when spring comes.

 

[The Xmas Furry]

OP, have you had horses or ponies before?
Do you have them at home or at livery?

 

[Red-1]

They are little escape artists, yet can't have much food as they run to fat easily, which causes them health issues. So, I found I needed a solid post and rail fence, with electric strands on each rail.

They need hay when the grass dies back, but very little else. Just a token handful to get their vitamins and minerals.

They may be small but they have strong characters. I would pay attention to handling them without being too soft, as if you give an inch, they can take a mile.

I loved Rolo, our Shetland, but this is what I learned.

 

[Bertie83]

Thanks for the replies so far everyone! These are our first ponies and are in a field next to our house

 

[Parrotperson]

ah shitlands! ?? you're about to find out why we sometimes call them that!!

do you have any really horsey friends that could help until you find you're feet? the main thing as everyone says is don't overfeed them but you really need some experience to know what's good and bad feed wise.

also. get a vet to check over them now and advise you on a worming protocol.

maybe try this https://www.equinedistancelearning.com/p/bhs-entry-level-award-in-essential-horse-knowledge

 

[millikins]

I adore Shetlands but they can be little sh1t's if allowed to be. Handling wise treat them as though they are 16hh, insist on manners, to lead, tie up, be groomed etc. My two are fine with fencing, will stay behind a single strand of electric but many won't. They don't need rugs if they have some shelter, a thick hedge or field shelter and like all ponies are more likely to be polite and amenable if they get exercise, going for walks, learning some exercises in hand etc.
By the way it's a HHO rule that posts about new ponies should come with pictures

 

[Bertie83]

Thanks for all the helpful advise everyone I will try and upload some photos of them at the weekend

 

[Gloi]

I'm sure you'll have lots of fun with them.

 

[laura_nash]

I use an app called Picture This to identify plants in my field (as I'm useless at it).

Kelly Marks Perfect Manners is a good read on the handling stuff, as someone else said make sure you handle them the same as any other horse. Tempting as it will probably be I'd ban any hand feeding, at least until you get the boundaries established.

 

[splashgirl45]

if you havent had much to do with horses before it might be worth investing in some horse management lessons or if you have friends who have horses get them to come to you and give you some guidance. while its lovely to have them at home they need quite a lot of specialised care and management. dont forget you will need a farrier every 6 to 8 weeks to trim their feet as well..

 

[vannersrus]

Good afternoon everyone we have just purchased our first two Shetland ponies and have very little experience so need to learn fast so any tips much appreciated ?
I have read lots online about ragwort and have noticed several plants growing in the field please see pic
can anyone
Thanks in advance

The leaf on the left looks like creeping buttercup and the one on the right ragwort. Ragwort is highly toxic and the rosettes should be pulled up with the roots to prevent spread. Buttercup can cause sores and irritation when there are flowers present but is no where bears as bad as ragwort

 

[Gloi]

Eazitools Rag-Fork https://g.co/kgs/vA7Pq8
If it looks like you have quite a bit of ragwort get one of these and it makes it easy to dig it up.

 

[poiuytrewq]

Best of luck op!! ? I’m a massive Shetland fan but they are little monkeys ?
The above is all great advice.

 

[jumbyjack]

Shetlands don't know they are small, they may look like cute fluffy toys but deep cunning lurks under the fluff and in their heads they are 17hh. As has been said, treat them like a horse and learn to run like a sprinter, those little legs are fast! Main thing is that they are fun.

 

[Winters100]

I adore shetlands, but am not quite rave enough to keep them. You are going to have some great fun and great stories - good luck!