Still not found a companion pony, what breed of small poney should I get

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Field04

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I have been looking for a companion pony for my big pony and was thinking of a little shetland. Ideally wanted a pony that my children could ride out on with me, or could be taken inhand.

I am now not sure if I should get a shetland or a slightly bigger pony. I need something quite rustic as don't really want anything too fragile (can live out with my other pony). My worry with shetlands are that they are very prone to laminitis and apparently can be quite aggressive to other horses and good at escaping. Now, I do not know this first hand and have always been a big fan of little shetties. But am now thinking should I be looking for another breed, maybe slightly bigger that won't be grown out of so quickly. Now very confused so any suggestions would be great.

More info: Would be living out all year around with lots of good natural shelter for summer and winter. Ideally I am planning on getting a stable/shelter built with a hardstanding area but am saving for this.
 
I have an American Miniature (similar to a mini shetland) with my TB mare, albeit he's in his own separate area as I am paranoid about him getting laminitus. He is an escape artist if he doesn't have any grass in his area, other than that he is easy.

If I were you, I'd be looking at a moorland type pony. May be a Dartmoor? They will still be prone to lami but I've always seen them as being sturdy little ponies.
 
Echo getting in touch with a rescue centre, they will be able to find something that suits your management routine.
I too have heard difficult things about shetlands as companions and would definitely recommend getting something that has the same nutritional needs as your current pony so if you need to feed hay in field/ restrict in summer etc. you don't have two different routines to manage - a pain and defetes the object to have a companion you need to keep in a separate small pen to avoid laminitis

What about a nice little welsh sec A - they come in small child riding size I think
 
I had a friend's Sec A as a companion for my two but he was prone to laminitis and ended up stabled most of the time. I now have a Highland on loan from a charity and she has been pretty trouble free, lives out 24/7 and as she has been ridden by disabled kids she has a fab temperament and is great with my 6yr old nephew.
 
I wouldn't worry about the breed, what you want is something with similar management requirements to your current pony in a suitable size. There are an awful lot of Heinz ponies out there which may be just what you want.
 
I'd avoid a shetland - they can get through a catflap and will teach everything else to do the same. The rescue places are full of suitable ponies - I'd make them my first port of call. I had a beautiful welsh type from the Blue Cross who was a great companion - I kept him until the end of his life and loved him dearly.
 
Forgot to mention I am actually based in France. Have tried a few rescue centres over here but they have had nothing suitable. Will try them again and see if they have anything that may be suitable now. Have been looking for a while now and it is driving me mad that I can't find anything.

Will keep looking. Also the native breeds to England are a lot more expensive over here. :(
 
Shetlands are no more prone to laminitis than any other native pony - I have well into double figures of them, and not one has ever had laminitis. But we manage them carefully. And that can sometimes make them unsuitable as companions to a bigger animal - they do not require good grazing, nor a lot of hard feed - so if they're kept with a larger animal that will be on those things, that can be a problem.

Equally, shetlands are not aggressive to other horses, again, no more than any other breed. They are often a brave breed, which has no concept that they are so small, hence can stand their ground against a bigger horse - which is actually quite useful if they are not to get hurt & bullied.

Escape artists? Sort of. They are intelligent little ponies, who do best when they have a job to do. If they don't have their mind occupied, they tend to find their own amusement - testing your fencing can play a part in that. Also, most peoples fencing is not set up for tiny ponies - so it may seem proof for your current horse, but is it high enough to stop them stepping over the lowest rail / strand, is it low enough to stop them limboing underneath? Add into that, they have such thick winter coats, they often just don't feel electric, or learn to run through it. We have great fencing, and they do not get through it, but we made sure we thought about shetlands when we set it up.

As to whether a shetland is right for you - it depends what age child you want to ride it, and how tall / heavy your children are likely to get. I know of a few smaller lightweight adults who ride up to height standard shetlands. Shetland stallions are often ridden in the ring by young teenagers. They are a very strong & stocky animal which can often carry as much weight as some of the other native breeds a bit bigger but with less bone.
 
I agree wholeheartedly with everything Varkie has said the Shetlands are wonderful ponies and are readily managed and will make perfect companions as long as they are treated correctly they are only nasty if treated like big dogs if kept in the same way as a big horse and disciplined accordingly they are wonderful. The best thing you can do for a companion is to stick closely to the similar needs of the existing pony one that doesnt mind being left alone so not suffering from separation anxiety and with similar needs so if the pony is on restricted diet and a good doer then your companion will also need to be a good doer if they are very close in needs it will be easy but if very doverse it will be a nightmare
 
What kind of management does your current horse need? Utterly pointless getting a shetland or Welsh a if your other horse is a TB needing good grass and plenty hay in the winter. The whole point of a companion is them to live together and be friends, not alone on separate sides of the fence due to vastly different feeding needs!
 
My other pony is like a Henson, so very good doer. She has no grass at the moment and is only eating hay. I do watch her weight as during the summer with all the grass can easily put it on. However I would plan to exercise the smaller companion either being my children riding or taking the little one out in hand when I am riding etc. My biggest fear is the escaping, I would really need to think this through as most of the time would not be a problem as along with electric fencing there are also thick bushes around most of the field, however during the summer my neighbour lets me use his orchard so this could be a problem with regards to escaping.

I would want to get a larger shetland, rather than a mini as I am a very light adult (50kg) and would from time to time ride it out on short rides as well. I am looking at around 1m - 1.15m size wise.

I originally wanted a shetland due to the fact they were such good doers which is similar to my pony.

Who knew it could be so confusing!!
 
Field04 said:
I have been looking for a companion pony for my big pony and was thinking of a little shetland. Ideally wanted a pony that my children could ride out on with me, or could be taken inhand.

I am now not sure if I should get a shetland or a slightly bigger pony. I need something quite rustic as don't really want anything too fragile (can live out with my other pony). My worry with shetlands are that they are very prone to laminitis and apparently can be quite aggressive to other horses and good at escaping. Now, I do not know this first hand and have always been a big fan of little shetties. But am now thinking should I be looking for another breed, maybe slightly bigger that won't be grown out of so quickly. Now very confused so any suggestions would be great.

More info: Would be living out all year around with lots of good natural shelter for summer and winter. Ideally I am planning on getting a stable/shelter built with a hardstanding area but am saving for this.
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have you tried the Horse Welfare???

http://www.worldhorsewelfare.org/rehoming/browse-horses.asp?all=1
 
Unless your horse is a ridiculously good doer ( i.e in restricted grazing WITH a muzzle in summer, and only a handful of hay a day in winter, clipped and unrugged etc) its unlikely her needs Will match the average shetland, worked or not. I've met very few shetlands that can live with a normal horse full time and be a healthy weight.

If you want something you can also ride and a good doer but not extreme, have a look at Welsh B's or even Cs or new forests. Little bigger, great for adults to ride, less prone to escaping. And sadly available for pennies from sales rings.
 
I wouldn't get a shetland as if you want to hack out with them they can't walk with a bigger pony so jog all the time, which is tiring for the jockey! Welsh As are a dime a dozen and pretty cheap, some are hot and some not IME.
 
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