Taking a miniature shetland for walks on a footpath

[Patchworkpony]

Has anyone ever taken their miniature Shetland for walks in hand on a public footpath? Given that they are smaller than some large dogs, and often more controlled, I did wonder what experiences anyone had had - if any.

 

[Shantara]

Before I got him, we used to take Cookie for walks on the path and even through central Milton Keynes once. He did poo once, but we kicked it into the road and no one seemed to mind. We even saw a policeman and he thought he was adorable!

We usually got a really positive reaction, because it's not every day you see a tiny pony

 

[NeverSayNever]

i take mine for walks quite a lot! She came for a Boxing Day walk with us yesterday when we had family over. That said, we are rural and dont really meet anyone else. Pony loves it, but is prone to the odd squeal of excitement and capriole !

 

[Bobbly]

Yes I walk my two around the grassy footpaths in the village and sometimes we've been down to the pub on the highstreet. Can't say anyone has not been enamoured with them so far.

 

[Greylegs]

Had a friend who did this .... Once, when challenged, she told the person to think of her mini as a vegetarian dog !!! .... That left them a bit speechless .

 

[pippixox]

did today! well actually it was a bridleway as well as foot path, but is mostly a foot path with lots of walkers and dogs. he was great and agree, better behaved than many dogs!
i think people would be too busy saying how cute to question the ponies right of way- would be different if i tried with my 16'2 mare! although she is leopard spotted so people like looking at her and i can pretend she is a giant dalmatian!

 

[debsandpets]

When I had my first mini, he used to come everywhere with me on walks. The local landlord even used to let him in the pub at lunchtimes ;-)
Everyone loved him wherever we went on our outings.

 

[Patchworkpony]

Greylegs - I love it!

 

[Orangehorse]

Do you mean pavement, or a public footpath, a right of way?

Strictly should not be on a public footpath, although you might argue that it is your "normal accompionment" as someone walking a dog would say. Also you are allowed a pushchair or invalid chair on a footpath. What are you going to do about a stile? Does he jump?

 

[Patchworkpony]

Orangehorse. - No stiles around only gates, thank goodness as I certainly don't like stiles. We are literally next to a footpath that is a ten minute walk through to a quiet village. Want to use it to a youngster train in hand but the land belongs to a rather difficult farmer who only appears about once a week. If I pay him £1500 a year I can use it for ponies otherwise NO I can't apparently.

 

[jezabell]

I take my Miniature horse out on my mobility scooter. One at a time. Every body loves them go
to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY_v89AJ4_k.
I have had offers for them. This is Jezabell We are behind the band about 5 secs in. Turn the sound down, the music is dreadful.

 

[p87]

Although not a miniature I take my Shetland out on walks with the dog to keep her fit. We go wherever, through the main village, round public paths, fields, along the river... Not sure if it's different up here in Scotland as we have no trespassing laws, but basically we go anywhere I would be walking the dog anyway! Obviously avoiding places with stiles that we wouldn't get through. She is a massive hit in the village, everyone loves to stop and talk to her - think the dog feels a bit miffed at times that the Shetland gets ore attention

 

[Patchworkpony]

p87 - how lovely. I do think people seem to love a small pony to make a fuss of, they are often a great draw and a good way to make new friends.

 

[Patchworkpony]

Can't believe our luck 'miserable farmer' has relented and says we can walk a Shetland up the footpath, through his field, to get to the village. I think it was because I threatened to get a dog instead of a Shetland to take for walks across his land. He hates dogs on his property, because sheep have been killed in the past, so probably thought a pony was the lesser of two evils. I have offered him some grazing for his sheep so I think we are all 'friends' now!

 

[AmieeT]

There's a lady that lives near me who keeps a Falabella in her back garden! I see her walk around the streets with her and she even lets her off in a local park (has fencing all the way around and she can't go out of sight). It's very cute to see.

 

[Equi]

Unfortunately it is still illegal to take a miniature where you are not allowed to take a horse. Unless the mini is a seeing eye horse or a therapy horse. I doubt anyone will stop you to complain though as long as you clear up after it. Also, pics please!

 

[jodie3]

I take my Miniature horse out on my mobility scooter. One at a time. Every body loves them go
to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jY_v89AJ4_k.
I have had offers for them. This is Jezabell We are behind the band about 5 secs in. Turn the sound down, the music is dreadful.

What a great pony, I wanted to see more of her in action!

 

[Yertis]

Unfortunately it is still illegal to take a miniature where you are not allowed to take a horse.

Under English law it would be an offence of trespass, which is a 'civil' offence not a criminal one. The person over whose land the public footpath runs would have to bring a private prosecution against you, not a police matter.

 

[Equi]

Under English law it would be an offence of trespass, which is a 'civil' offence not a criminal one. The person over whose land the public footpath runs would have to bring a private prosecution against you, not a police matter.

A footpath to me is a side walk beside a road, so i assumed that that was what they meant...we don't have many "footpaths" as in countryside walks here