Shetland ponies as companions

Supertrooper

Supertrooper

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Possibly thinking of getting a couple to act as companions to our two other horses as they can't be seperated.

The main thing that's stopping me is that I'm terrified of them getting laminitis, as our shire x is at risk he will be going on a track system in the next few weeks but due to his size it would be quite a wide strip and probably too wide for shetlands.

Any tips/stories as only really a idea at the moment xx
 
You could use grazing muzzles for the Shetties. The main issue I have with Shetties is their apparent ability to escape from anywhere. A really determined Shettie on a mission to escape if it can't get over/under/through your fence will just teleport out :rolleyes: :D
 
I have a shettie and an american mini , both from rescue centres , which i use as companions to the two biggies so if one goes showing or the other goes jumping there is still company out there. I suggest if you are going to use the track system , you could then make some smaller paddocks in the middle for the shets and electrify them , my two ( touch wood) are both lami free and they do have quite a big space especially in the winter , as they seem to do the mileage and are better for it.
 
I had a mini shetland as a companion for my 15.2hh appy and 17hh heavy weight hunter. He had laminitis in all 4 feet when I got him. But once that was cleared up and he wore the muzzle he was fine out in a big field with the others.
 
TelH said:
You could use grazing muzzles for the Shetties. The main issue I have with Shetties is their apparent ability to escape from anywhere. A really determined Shettie on a mission to escape if it can't get over/under/through your fence will just teleport out :rolleyes: :D
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I started reading this post with interest, to see what others would say and spat my tea out laughing at your comment ..... best laugh I have had for ages, thank you :p;):D
 
We've got a Shetland as a companion. He wears a grazing muzzle as soon as the spring grass comes through up until about October, depending on how much grass is left. He get's a token spoonful of sugar beet as his feed twice a day, when our other horses get fed. And has half/1 slice of haylage overnight.

If your grazing is restricted you might need to invest in some electric fencing and making it live as ours is a total houdini and has on a few occasions ended up in the other part of the field, happily munching on 3 acres of uncut grass! The grass that he is kept on is mowed and kept to a very short length, making him work for his food.

Ours has never been close to laminitis and I think it's because we are very strict with the amount of food he gets, would love to give ours a muzzle free summer but he would be a bloated shetland shaped balloon after a week!
 
out if interest... how do you guys find the leccy fencing works? i have mine set up and livebut my sec A stands reaching under it with it across his neck and doesnt flinch:mad::rolleyes: Im guessing he doesnt feel it though his mane?
 
I had 2 shetlands from a rescue centre and they were immune to electric fencing. You could see their shoulders twitch as the current went through but they just kept their heads down and kept walking through the fence. The gelding was an absolute git to catch and kept trying to mount my 16.1 mare. But, whenever the local village kids asked if they could come and pat them they came straight over to be adored.
They were a constant laminitis concern (although they never had it) even though they had their grazing muzzles on. I think life would have been easier with a couple of Sections!
 
NeverSayNever said:
out if interest... how do you guys find the leccy fencing works? i have mine set up and livebut my sec A stands reaching under it with it across his neck and doesnt flinch:mad::rolleyes: Im guessing he doesnt feel it though his mane?
Click to expand...

try putting a line of leccy fencing at about 6 inches from ground levil, they will have to touch it with there noses to lift it and genraly a shock on the nose is enough to keep them in ;)
 
Would they have a job to do? If they get exercise they are less likley to get lami. They can be very naughty too very often too much for small children to ride. You might be better with sec a or something.
 
I prefer section a's as a breed, but they can be just as much trouble!
My section a is laminitus prone, so has to have his own small strip of grass, otherwise you cant catch him :rolleyes:, he gets fat- he refuses to wear a muzzle :rolleyes:, however, he does like to escape when the fancy takes him!
He is also retired due to dodgy hocks, so just take him for walks.

What we do, is turn him out in a small strip of worn down grass, for a few hours max.
 
My shetlands are great companions for the horses....... However, they escape the whole time, I even put up a four string electric fence, starting at about 4" off the ground up to mid thigh ish on full whack and they still escaped!! Now I just put grazing muzzles on them both and leave them out - it seems to work and they were but laminitis free all last summer.
 
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