Shetlands.. Why and what for ?

I have 3 shetland/fallabella, they are such funny little things. One of them comes into the kitchen and opens the cupboards looking for something tasty to eat! They make great lawn mowers and they make me laugh everyday. I intend schooling one of them for driving but she is only a yearling so will be a few years yet. I take them for walks and people love them, I have even had people asking to take photos of them to show their children. When I ride cob they also keep the old mare company so she is not on her own.
 
They are lovely but it is a shame that many don't have a proper job. It is fab to see them fit and working, lovely picture EstherYoung. We just need Toby the dressage shetland pictures to go with it now!

I learnt to ride purely because a neighbour had a companion shetland who needed a job, he was a little monkey, as I think they all are, but he taught me a lot and was basically safe for a child. Although my mum was terrified of him! His favourite trick was, if he didn't want to do something or go somewhere he would sit down like a dog........ :D
 
I have a lot of shetlands! And when people ask what they do, my answer is, just the same as big horses! They just carry / pull less weight. They can be ridden, driven, worked inhand, lunged, long reined, free schooled, and just loved.

You can see various videos here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Varkies-Stud/203505606365792

There is a video of a fab little shetland doing dressage with a tot, another doing advanced dressage, pics of them driven, etc.

And they are not routinely horrid in temperament - all of ours are lovely with people. I don't have a single one that isn't trustworthy with our small daughter. We have one which is her specific ridden pony, and she is practically an angel in pony form - she puts up with everything my daughter does. I'm just in the process of gathering tinsel & bells at the moment, ready for her Xmas ride!
 
I had a shetland x dartmoor (looked more shetland than anything) I originally got her to keep my big 17hh boy company when we left the livery yard we were at and rented own little yard. He LOVED her and they were inseperable. I was planning on breaking her to drive but had to give them both up after I found out I was pregnant. She was great for when you were feeling down too as she was such a clown!!
 
Pickles keeps Murphy company.

By chasing him away from any feed, biting his neck to get him to move and not letting him near the door of the stable they share (Pickles cannot be without Murphy and makes a horrific racket if he is.) He does stand over and guard Murph when he's lying down for a sleep though!

He instigates fights, his favourite is picking on the resident 18.2hh, good move Picky...
He undoes field gates, wanders off down the drive for a bite of grass at the bottom, wanders the entire yard when his feed is finished, rummages through the bin, rummages through any container/bag that looks like it may have food in it, tries to throw you off if you get on (apparently this is my challenge for New Year as Murphy is retired and won't be giving the children lessons any more), leans on you when getting his feet done so there is always someone extra there to hold him upright.

BUT he loves going for short walks in hand and getting groomed. What a character... 'Scuse me while I go and sort some insurance for myself before getting on!!!
 
Baubles said:
I'm beginning to review my opinion..just a little;) now if only I can convince giant wussy mare that they are not monsters :D
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When GF (all 18hh) of him moved into my yard in early march, he absolutely wet himself and ran away across the paddock & grazed the other side of it all day, TF (all 33ins) looked hopefully from the other side of the fence at this new toy to go 'boo' at....
Come tea time, TF is a little vocal - just calls the once for her tea (pinch of hi-fi lite adorned with 5 pony nuts in a bucket) and GF's ears pricked up as it dawned on him that the furry object was actually an equine!

Roll on a week & he was leaning over the fence (tape was each side too) to try and slobber down TF's ears :D
He adores the ground she walks on, tho I have never put them together. She's been happily out with BF (rip) and is now currently coo-ing through the fence at WF my new horse.... :)
 
Mine is a companion and is invaluable when I have a horse on box rest. Mine live out 24/7 so he comes in with the ill horse and keeps them company. It saves me a lot of straw/hay and time/effort as he is so much smaller than a full sized horse. He is great fun to have around and the horses adore him. To be honest I think he's far better value than the big boys :p
 
I used to ride a sheets years back I wasn't a tot either I was a light 10 yo (they take up the leg v well) he taught me an awful lot (and my parents :p) we hacked for miles he was great in traffic, pc rallies, beach rides, pony rides at the fete and local shows. He was great at hiding in the hedge so I couldn't find him, holding his breath so half way round a ride the saddle would slip round his belly, dumping me in puddles, and running off with his saddle on before I had chance to put his bridle on :o and dragging me and my friend where ever he wanted to go ( usually into the feed shed or a tasty bit of grass).
 
I ride and and show most of my shetlands. I ride them all at home and find randoms to ride them at shows for the most part. Pips will stay as my ride for a wee while longer as she is quite forward going and flighty.
 
Have had one as a companion to the big beestie for over 3 years, recently just given a home to baby one :)

They are brilliant companions for the big lad and he is a giant surrounded by little ppl :) a real confidence boost for him :D

Both mine are brilliant to handle, never grumpy or nippy because i never feed them treats, one even wears a muzzle most of the time and he is an angel to let you put it on and take it off. The first one is broken to harness and the new arrival will also once he is old enough.

My big lad adores them both and they adore him, but they know he rules the roost!

They have such big personalities, i was never a fan until i got one as a companion but now i know what all the fuss is about....
 
Must admit that when I posted this thread I did not expect such lovely positive replies. Might have to have a closer look. :D thank you for all the funny and lovely stories..
 
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