Shetland owner in trouble - would this work?

Box_Of_Frogs

Box_Of_Frogs

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No knee jerks please folks, just thoughts on if this would work or should I stay well away.

A riding friend's OH bought a miniature shetland "gelding" from a horse sale, after admiring his little daughter riding my mini Lady. But riding friend and OH have suddenly hit an unexpected and long term financial situation that means she has to cut back on most of her horsey expenses. She has already sold a yearling cob she was bringing on and a second lead rein miniature shetland is up for sale. Her own riding horse will never go but I'm pretty certain that the original mini shetland "gelding" that OH bought will have to go too. She might be holding on as long as she can so her riding horse has company. Not sure.

I have 2 rescued shetland mares. I know what can happen to bog standard, nothing special shetlands. This little gelding turns out to be a tiny, 3yr old stallion but with a temperament to die for. He's the dearest little chap you could ever wish for even though he's just an ordinary little black 7hh shetland. Could it work if I took him on as a PROJECT (in case my hubby reads this), had him gelded, brought him on as a lead rein, maybe got a couple of local show rosettes under his belt, then set about finding him a 5* home? Is there a market for safe lead rein ponies that adore tiny children, if you take the time to look very carefully? Or should I just be sensible and leave riding friend to it and hope that if the pony is sold he doesn't go for meat. Please, somebody from outside this situation, talk me out of or into this. Anyone got any personal experience? Am I mad? I've already got a very veteran and COPD Sunny, his understudy Bridie, the Christmas Day Forum rescue Molly and permanent loan Lady from Lluest Horse and Pony Trust so a permanent home wouldn't be possible. And anyway, with shetlands living into their 40s and me a bona fide wrinklie..........................
 
Genuine small ponies are like gold dust and as such will always find good homes. Go for it.
 
Go for it, I looked for over a year for a sensibly priced safe nice pony for my kids. How about breaking him to drive ? that way he may have a more permanent home as did my kids first pony. we still have her and have just started driving so that I have an excuse to keep her.
 
I would say yes, go for it. I'v just started loaning a shetland mare for my little girls to ride and the owner has been inundated with calls for her, as like Enfys said, reliable safe ponies are like gold dust.
 
There is definately a market for them. I happened upon one completely by accident as she was in an awful state and I was looking for something to show inhand. We got her right and my friends little girl who was barely 1 at the time fell in love with her and did a Fancy dress class on her and her life as a childs best friend started. 4 years later she is now on her 2nd little loaner aged 3 and absolutely adores the little people will do anything for them and is very happy. I have been offered a lot of money for her and if I ever sold her which I never would there is actually a waiting list of people who would take her. Her first loaner has just moved to Australia and wanted to take Mollie with them but she suffers from Sweetitch so I didnt think it would be right. Mollie is 34" completely black Registered Shetland. If you find a true childs best friend then yes there definately is a market especially if you can get that pony recognised out and about with little kids.
 
Oh my god!!!! Thanks everyone - not what I expected to hear at all! That's really reassuring news. This little chap wouldn't win prizes for conformation (both front legs come out of 1 hole if you know what I mean) but he's the cutest, sweetest little chap. And knowing he's a stallion, rounded up and impounded as part of a larger abandoned group of horses by a Local Authority. Broke-but-happy, good point...I don't have a regular little jockey but I think I could find one. He's already had riding friend's little 4yr old sitting on him - no protests from him whatsoever! The thought of him arriving at an abattoir like my Molly did ("surplus to requirements", so stuffed trembling in the corner of a trailer full of sheep) fills me with horror. Onward and upward!!!!!
 
Definitely agree with others, they are like gold dust, go for it! Agree with thinking about breaking him to drive too, this would mean that when he was outgrown his owners could keep him and him be useful ie home for life! This boy certainly fell on his feet, it would be such a shame to see him end up like so many.
 
BOF- if you dont take him on then you will be sent hatemail by me!:eek::p
I wish Id got the mini years ago! shes fab! and she will be broken to harness as I dont have a regular small capable jockey for her. but i didnt get her for any other reason than she was probably going to a dealer who ships a lot of ponies to "pony eating countries"!
 
I have a Shetland, he was my neice's first pony and is now onto his 3rd loaners teaching little ones to ride. I have a waiting list for him!!
 
Perhaps it would be wise to find out about gelding costs? He might be a nice pony but realistically he will have to be gelded.

I have shetlands of my own and love them, they love being driven etc and a good one is worth its weight that for sure, but i havent found many people willing to pay for one.

I rescued a stallion not long ago, and i was given him as he was in need of handling. Had him gelded, passported etc and got him so that he was safe to handle with children, and when i sold him to a lovely family who still text me 3 years on, certainly made a "loss". That was not why I did it though, so it didnt matter to me. Good luck:)
 
If you can find a little jockey to break him in then go for it! He sounds like a cracking little chap, and if he is as quiet as you say I may know someone who would be interested in him.
 
You know what I will say.....
If you get stuck for a jockey, bring him down for a couple of weeks and smallest son will back him:D
 
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