New to Shetland Ponies

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barker0tp

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I am thinking of getting 2 shetland ponies as companions for my 16.3hh mare and gelding, so there won't ever be a horse in the field on it's own...however, I have never had shetland ponies before and don't know anyone who has. I wondered if there are any particular things relating to shetlands that I should be aware? E.g. potential problems, medical or otherwise...

Will they live out all year round? I know they are meant to be quite hardy little things and they will have access to a field shelter all year round, possibly a stable in future. What about feeding them? It is approx a 4acre field, which at the moment has a lot of grass in it. These might seem like simple questions but I don't want to do them any injustice by not knowing what I am letting myself in for!

Any tips or advice welcomed...thanks :)
 
Keep a close eye for lamanitis thats the only medical thing ive ever found, they can live out all year and dont need rugged however if you wanted to they would be fine and the shouldnt need any hard feed at all but in winter maybe a bit of hay or hayledge to stop them loosing to much condition but they should be fine as they are really sturdy ponies
 
One word - laminitis!

I would suggest 4 acres is storing up trouble, so if I were you I would install an electric fence and section off a small grazing area for them (you can move the fence regularly so they have SMALL strips of new grass). Even if they have to be restricted your horse will still have company over the fence. Turnout for the whole area should be ok in winter though.

They are hardy and like most horses, prefer to live out. They'll be fine with a field shelter. When viewing, do ask about their lami history and check the feet carefully. Some are more prone than others but their small size and breed evolution means they are more prone than most horses.

ETS remember to treat them like horses as well! Sounds daft but because they are small and cute they often get with murder. Have met too many spoilt ones; they can have a bad reputation which is unfair really, they just need to be treated like horses and not pets ;)
 
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As above, native ponies prone to getting a bit tubby (or a lot tubby), they may need work over the summer in the form of lunging or long lining to keep the weight off.
The can be lovely ponies or they can be little toerags because they're cute and been aloud to get away with murder.
They'll happily live out all year (trust me if you've ever been to Shetland you'll realise why they have to be so hardy!!!)
Good Luck
 
Thanks guys!
I wondered if laminitus could potentially be a problem....I'll think about it though as they would be ideal companions because of their size etc and being able to have 2 of them. Would just give me peace of mind that the horse left behind is ok if I'm out show jumping or hunting all day with just one of them, and of course if both the horses are out the shetlands wouldn't be on their own either! :)
 
Totally agree about the fencing, mine is a renowned escape artist! If they are living out all winter have a feel at them, don't assume they are nicely covered because they look round, they grow coats like bears which hide their actual shape.
 
Shetlands don't actually tend to make great companions for bigger horses, because their grazing requirements are so different. Two shetlands on four acres of plentiful grass is asking for trouble. To keep them successfully with your big horse, you will need to restrict their grazing in some way - strip grazing, muzzles, exercise, etc.

I also advise people that they don't make great companions if you intend to just turn them out & do nothing with them. They are very intelligent, and become bored like that. And a bored shetland is a creative shetland. And a creative shetland begins to look for ways to entertain itself - and that is where the problems begin!

You definitely need to look closely at your fencing. Shetlands are very clever, and most fencing is designed with big horses in mind, so isn't seen as a deterrant by shetlands. Electric won't always be successful either - especially when they are in their thick winter coats, as they just don't feel it. Shetlands don't so much see fencing as a deterrant, as a challenge!

Illness wise, there are a few things to be aware of. Laminitis and metabolic syndrome are one issue. They can be prone to stifle or jaw issues - but if these are looked for before purchase, unless you buy youngsters, these are unlikely to turn up later. There is also a disease called hyperlipaemia which they are prone to. This is (real basics here) when for whatever reason, fat gets pulled fast from fat stores & released into the body, which becomes overwhelmed. Hence, no matter how fat they are, they must never be starved, and must always have access to food - you just have to make sure it's minimum calorie food. Otherwise you risk hyperlipaemia, which can be fatal, and within days too.

Behaviourally, they are wonderful ponies. But they do require firm, kind handling. Handle a shetland as if it is a 16hh horse, and you'll never have a problem. Handle it like a pet or a dog, and it will take shocking advantage. Shetlands do not realise they are small, and should be handled always like a horse. Do this, and they are wonderful.
 
My shetland pony is 11. His only job is to be a companion to my large horse. As others have said, your main problem will be weight control, because your big horses will need plenty of grass, but the fatties will NOT. I get around this, using electric fencing and grazing muzzles. Your main field fence does need to be good, because a hungry shetland will slip under an electric tape unless the tape is really pinging with power. I love my shetland, he is the cutest, most amiable person in the world. We bought him as a wild 6 month foal. It is hilarious to watch him galloping around the field after a big TB, they can really motor when they put their mind to it.
 
I'm not sure I'd agree they're any more prone to sweet itch than any other native pony. You definitely do see it in them, and should check any you're considering buying for signs of it. But I don't think I've seen more of it in shetlands than in other natives. I have about 22 of them right now, with not a single case of it.

When you go to the shetland sales, out of a good couple of hundred, you dont' tend to see more than a couple with signs of it.
 
Fair enough Varkie :) However that is just your own experience. In my experience, and I have known a lot of Shetlands, sweet-itch is quite common ;) Equally I, personally, have never known ANY Shetlands with laminitis ;)
 
I have never personally had laminitis in any of our shetlands, but I know others who have.

I don't think they are more prone to laminitis than other natives - but I think all natives are prone to laminitis to some extent. They're all designed to survive on rough pasture, and all too often, their grazing is just too good for them.

Equally, I've known a lot of shetlands. Well, well into three figures, counting those I've owned & bred, trained, and those belonging to friends. That's without even counting those belonging to all the other breeding friends I know, and their many shetlands.
 
i definitley agree to treat a shetland like a 16 hh horse! i bought mine as an unhandled yearling colt and he was quieter then than he is now, a year on! he is now a gelding, but is well settled in and has started trying to push his luck. he always tries to trot when he is lead instead of walk and he is a strong little thing!! he will nibble if hes not smacked on the nose and he is just generally cheeky and always looking for mischief. but saying this, i would never change him for the world. he is definitly full of character, just needs to know whos boss!
also, he never used to go through electric fence, but now he does, even with 3 lines of it!
 
With electric fencing and Shetlands, I've found if you put a line of tape at nose height as well as higher that seems to deter mine.
 
I agree with others who have said treat them like they are a horse and they are fab, but treat them as fluffy toys and you get a whole heap of trouble.

Yes, they can live out (especially with a shelter) and no they dont need rugs or hard feed! (Disclaimer- unless ancient or special needs!)
 
varkie said:
And a bored shetland is a creative shetland. And a creative shetland begins to look for ways to entertain itself - and that is where the problems begin!
Click to expand...

That is the funniest but most honest summing up of a shetland ever! Stig left to his own devices.......doesn't actually bear thinking about! He has more toys than my kids do, and still manages to create mayhem on a daily basis!
 
All your replies have been a real eye opener into shetland ponies and has given me a lot to think about. The possibilities of laminitus combined with the 'escape artist' personality concerns me...because of the amount of grass I have and as I don't readily have access to electricity to be able to put decent electric fencing up. They can be lunged to help keep weight down though. I don't mind the cheeky side though...my 16.3hh gelding is the cheekiest, most mischeivous horse I have ever come accross and would probably love a couple of small ponies to play and chase round with.

What about donkey's lol??
 
Mine has a muzzle on and he keeps fine on twelve acres. He even comes to me of his own free will to have it put on when he goes out (he's in with the others and hay during the day. He is fairly fat, but not a sign of lami in any way.

He is a smashing character, always making us smile.

But he does cause trouble in the field :) He will stand up behind one of the big boys sideways underneath his tail, so close that he is touching the hocks. That way, if they kick out they can't get any power into it, and he knows it. Then he turns his head and bites their hamstrings and stands back and watches them run, laughing his head off.

I wouldn't be without him.
 
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