Ponies as pets

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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Sorry, couldn't think of a better title!

Was just interested to see if anyone has a pony/ponies as just pets. Trying to persuade my friend to do this, she can't ride anymore but could do the caring and also walk a pony out in hand.
 
Yes, she is considering this. It's so sad that she can't ride any longer but she has alot of experience and love to give xx
 
Charities are often looking for homes for youngsters for handling or older retired ponies - maybe suggest this to her as a really positive way of having a pony that is not ridden.
Again driving is a good alternative.
 
Mine are essentially pets at the mo and have been for the last two years. I have a youngster who'll be backed later this year, my daughters sec a (for whom I am unpaid groom skivvy) and an older project horse who I bought as a straightforward project to back and bring on whilst growing my youngster, but who turned out be anything but straightforward and who is therefore taking lots of time and patience to work...not sure yet if he'll ever be more than a field ornament.
So yes, I've spent the last two years on the ground with all mine and I found it really hard not to ride at first but actually now truly appreciate them in a different way (tho in my own case I do really actually want to ride one of my own horses one day!!). I've always loved the looking-after part just as much as riding and now enjoy the groundwork too. I had a few friends who were breeders previously and thought I could never enjoy having a horse and not riding it, so just goes to show how much we can adapt I guess.
So there are lots of options for your friend to still be around horses and not ride.
 
my mini is pretty much a pet, he's just a companion for my 2 biggies but I am hoping to trying and get him to try driving, but he is about 12, so it might be a bit of a challenge! so he'll prob just stay the naughty little boy that he currently is!
 
I have three minies and they are out and out pets. They graze in the garden and one of them will come into the kitchen and open cupboards. They are seriously like large dogs. I walk them and all the neighbours know them and make a fuss over them. I adore them and they make me laugh every day. I will always have a miniature even when my riding days are over. :)
 
Well Nell was a pet pony until recently. If I could not ride I would like to keep a pet pony anyway as I get so much from just being around them and caring for them, hope your friend can get a nice little pet pony
 
I bought my miniature as a companion, but when my loan mare went back to her owners, he came home and is now pet/lawnmower. He loves it :P
 
Pinky94, fab photo, does yours occasionally go into Bambi mode with legs splayed? Have had to lock her out as she has started to slip more on the wooden floors. OH wasn't to impressed either when she pinched the bread he had buttered ready for his bacon sandwich. :D They really are full of character and a dream to look after.
 
Crugeran Celt said:
Pinky94, fab photo, does yours occasionally go into Bambi mode with legs splayed? Have had to lock her out as she has started to slip more on the wooden floors. OH wasn't to impressed either when she pinched the bread he had buttered ready for his bacon sandwich. :D They really are full of character and a dream to look after.
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No he has very good grip - too much practice :\

He actually got into our fridge the other day. Opened the vegetable drawer and helped himself to the carrots!
 
My old pony was basically a pet, we still went on gentle hacks when I was home for uni, but other than that she was fully retired and very spoilt!

She was every bit as spoilt in the years when I didn't ride her at all, as when I was riding her regularly. I see the non-ridden side of horses possibly even more rewarding than the riding, and if I couldn't ride anymore I'd definitely take on a tiddler!
 
Soup Dragon said:
Charities are often looking for homes for youngsters for handling or older retired ponies - maybe suggest this to her as a really positive way of having a pony that is not ridden.
Again driving is a good alternative.
Click to expand...

I don't ride anymore but missed having the horses and ponies around after my children also left home so I have two young cobs for Blue Cross on short term adoption, they will go back when they are old enough for training etc. I can then decide if I want to take on some more. There are also older ponies/horses for loan as companion/non ridden. The Blue Cross help with some of the cost of maintaining their non ridden horses/ponies.

When you offer to re-home for a home charity you are inspected and the field/welfare officer will make regular checks on the condition of the pony etc.

It is great having the fun of looking after them and having faces peeping out of the stables again and over the gate, so I would recommend your friend giving it a try.
 
Although my pony is ridden - he's also sort of a pet. I really enjoy ground work and I often just walk him out in-hand for fun and do some loose schooling and agility/desensitising (sp?) work.

If I was unable to ride permandently though injury - either of us - I'd certainly continue with ground work, try driving or 'puppy-walk' a baby or two :-D xxx
 
Mine's a big dog, as the OH says, more of a pet than anything. It's just nice to have a horse to do instead of sitting twiddling my thumbs on days off when the OH is at work. :)
 
I have a pet pony as a companion for my horse, I adore her, she is 2 so I get to do walks and handling etc and she seems to enjoy my company because I don't expect her to work or do much! She will probably go on to be a child's pony one day.

If I couldn't ride anymore I would have ten of her!
 
I've got 2 mini's as well as my 2 bigger horses, I guess the mini's are just pets but I love them, they have a happy little life and they are no bother at all
 
I have two elderly Shetlands. I bought them already aged 20 as retired riding ponies.
They are my pets and I love just looking after them.They are small to handle so I don't feel at risk when doing anything alone with them. I keep them at home so get to see them all day.
I find they satisfy my equine cravings and I can still have the responsibility of fencing, paddock maintenence, hoof care and so on.
They also give me a good excuse to visit country stores and browse with a purpose!!!
 
Surely all horses that aren't business are pets? If they aren't, what are they? If people ask you if you have any pets do you say yes, I have horses, or no but I have horses?! Sorry it's a wet day and my mind is going overtime!
 
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