Shetlands as companions??

luckyhorseshoe

luckyhorseshoe

Well-Known Member
Joined
4 July 2008
Messages
834
Location
Hants
Visit site
My yard is very small: 2 x geldings and my mare.

The geldings share there paddock but y/o doesn't want my mare in with the geldings. So she has a paddock next door, can see them etc.

Not looking to discuss individual t/o but could a shetland work so that she has a companion in with her?
Most people i speak to say i would struggle with fencing to keep them in? and well there not called shitlands for nothing?

But does anyone have shetlands for companions? If so do they groom/play with your horse? How did you manage shetland and horse friendly fencing?

Sorry for all the questions, just something i'm mulling over.

Thanks
 
Hi, I bought a shetland to keep my mare company. Had no real problems with keeping her in behind the electric fence-once she had a shock or two!! So much so that now she can be kept behind one strand on the top of the 3ft posts.
With regard to grooming, she is more than willing, but can only reach just above shoulder height, so a bit restricted.
I love my shetlands,( i now have another, but thats another story)!
 
I bought one initially as a companion and it worked really well - however I did bring the shetland in at night too as didn't want him out on his own. We had to cut a stable door in half so he could see out!!

I found that 2 strands of electric fencing was fine as he wanted to stay with his friend. When the grass was too long for the shetland but adequate for the horse, I bought a muzzle from Dinkey's that he wore overnight.

As we have expanded our number of horses we no longer needed him as a companion, but somehow 'inherited' another shet so they are now companions to each other!!

A lot of people dislike shets but mine are angelic - although my little boy has out grown them we keep them as 'pet's' with occasional riding from my neighbours daughters. They live out, cost little too keep and alawys bring a smile to my face!
 
Thankyou thats really helpful.

I was considering that the second strand of electric fencing could work.

Although we do have a spare stable i was hoping he/she would live out. As only my mare and 1 of the geldings come in at night during the winter. He/she would see that there was another gelding out.

Do you rug yours? I was hoping for something hardy that could survive but still be a fun friend for my girl.
 
Don't worry about rugging - we stupidly bought a rain sheet for our first one and he promptly removed it in disgust! They apparently have a double layered coat so are virtually water proof anyhow.

If another horse is left out I am sure it would be fine. Ours are a lot happier out, even in last winters weeks of snow and ice. I just made sure they had hay 3 times a day and warm water - don't forget they are designed to endure these sorts of conditions!
 
the only thing I would say is look at the grazing requirements of your mare and a shetland, it wouldn't make much of a companion to a horse that required good grazing to maintain weight as it would end up being sectioned off or in for the day leaving your mare alone again. Whereas if your mare is a 'fatty' (i.e needs restricted diet) then a shetland can make as good a companion as any other equine. A friend had an 11hh pony (not a shetland) and a 14.3 as best friends, they loved grooming each other.
 
my horse kiss is in a field with one mini and one standard! they play and groom and take comfort from each other every day!! they are ALWAYS!! together in feild and never try to get out!!! my shets are amazing!! if i take my horse for a ride she is always ecstatic to see her buddies on way back good idea gettin a shet!!!
 
We got a shetland around 4 months ago now to be my horses companion for grazing and also traveling in the lorry (with out him my horse wouldn't stay in the field or lorry) to shows and they are the best of friends, groom and play as if he was just a 'normal' horse :) So far we haven't had any escape attempts but we do have to watch the fencing as he can make a far attempt at braking it with his constant itching!
 
Why not get a companion pony from whw or another charity? You could specify ur requirements as above and they will match you with something suitable. And if ur circumstances change you can, if you wish, return it knowing it will be cared for as rehoming companions can be a nightmare!
 
I'd echo Competitiondiva. I have 2 rescued shetlands and they are wonderful characters. 8hh Molly has attitiude to burn as she thinks she's a 17hh warmblood. She's a little aloof but with her experience of people she's allowed to be. 7.2hh Lady is the total opposite and is a complete sweetheart and adores anything that has a pulse. But they cannot be put on the same grazing for spring, summer and autumn as the rest of the horses. It would kill them. Until you've kept a shetland you won't fully understand the meaning of "good doer". They can get dangerously fat on half a daisy a week. As regards 24/7 turnout, 2 strand electric fencing with poles and tape at shetland height will keep them in. But with some shetlands, although they don't need winter rugs, they may get terrible rain scald down the centre of their backs where the rain gathers - especially in porkier ponies. Once you've had a shetland though, you'll love them forever x
 
cm2581 said:
Why not get a companion pony from whw or another charity? You could specify ur requirements as above and they will match you with something suitable. And if ur circumstances change you can, if you wish, return it knowing it will be cared for as rehoming companions can be a nightmare!
Click to expand...

Totally agree, although we are intending on keeping our shetland for the rest of his days we have gotten him from a rescue centre so if the day comes were we can no longer care for him he can easily be returned. We found charities like the RSPCA very hard to speak to but the smaller local ones were extremely helpful and it was a speedy process :)
 
Although great in theory getting a pony from a rescue centre- some of the more professionally run ones prefer that the homes are permanent and not that you can return the pony when you lose interest!:rolleyes:

I have shetlands they have massive characters and need looking after just as much as their taller peers.
They may not need as much rugging or feed but still need to be looked after as individuals.
Why wont your YO let you mix your own horses? if they arent causing bother with eachother whats the problem?
 
Thanks for all your positive responses.

It has really inspired me to talk to y/o and find a suitable partner for my mare.

Re the good doer response, i am so careful with my mare as she was imported from spain, she can't have the lush grass we get here. I would invest in a muzzle for it though.

Thanks again.
 
I also have a mini to keep my mare company, he is the oposite of some peoples experiences of them I could leave the gate open and he would not go through it. My mare once made a new gateway in my hedge and was out for a matter of mins before I found out, poor little bug who could of walked out just stood in the field looking at the hole the mare had made and refused to go through it.
He does have to have a restricted diet mainly due to the fact he has cushings, however with my mare being a good doer it works quite well. Even when I open up the winter field he stops in the summer field next door, both are content.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top