Talk to me about Shetland Ponies

[HaffiesRock]

Long story short, my mum wants to buy my niece a Shetland pony. Mum would be paying for all its keep, but I will be providing the majority of the care. I am in 2 minds about it to be honest! I know a lady with a saint of a Shetland pony, but I also know someone who has a devil Shetland!

So, please can those of you with Shetlands tell me a little bit about them and answer me some questions?

1) I appreciate that any pony can get fat and lami prone, so what kind of turnout do you provide to keep them happy but healthy? Do they go in happily (and safely) with other horses, or are they sectioned off into smaller paddocks? I will be strip grazing my current ponies over the spring summer, so would a Shetland safely live out with them? Mine are only 13.1hh and 14hh and both friendly.

2) Realistically, how do you exercise a Shetland?! Hand walking is obvious, but can you lunge/long rein them easily enough?

3) How do you fence them in? My fields are fenced with electric as my ponies have been known to escape. How Houdini are Shetlands and do they feel electric through their huge coats?

4) I know thios is individual to each pony and the way you handle them, but are they headstrong or rude? My niece is almost 5 and very small and my mum is quite frail. I would take the time to find the perfect pony, but do they take the mick if they know you are weak?

I would love to hear your good and bad stories so I can consider it further. I am literally on the fence about it at the minute. I love the idea of a Shetland, but if they are more hassle than they are worth, I'll try and talk my mum out of it

Thanks

 

[poiuytrewq]

Hi, Mine is a good story! (most of it anyway!)

Said pony is about 7 years old now and I've had him for 3 years. I can honestly say he has the best temperament ever- he would NEVER ever bite- even just playfully, neither would he kick.
He stays behind electric fencing as long as the battery is charged- obviously totally my fault but yea, sometimes I don't realise or leave it unconnected and after a few days he does figure it out and pop through, but then again so does my 16.2 IDX and tbh im not sure which one of them is the instigator- I suspect its the bigger one!

Mine might take the mick a little bit if he's not being handled daily. He had a little loaner for a time and as long as I continued to handle him aswell as her he stayed fine. At the moment he's become a little bolshy as I've been so busy work wise he's just turned out pretty much, I'd get him back easily though with a little time each day.
He lunges and long reins. I've yet to try ride and lead with him due to the size difference between him and my horse!
Lami and grazing wise *touch wood* I've never had a problem and he's grazed with my others all year round so not particularly restricted but as with all of them I try not to let him get too fat.
He is stabled when the others are but is happy not to be, equally he's happy to live inside if need be (our fields flooded last year)
He's a cute, easy to manage little chap but yes, maybe does need a little reminder every so often who's boss, that said in regular work he'd be a perfect kids pony and i'd have no qualms about little children tugging on his tail or plaiting his mane for hours on end etc!

 

[L&M]

I had the pleasure of owning two for several years - they have a bad rep but both of ours were lovely and broken to ride. One cost £400 and the other we inherited. They could go for weeks without being ridden, then were as good as gold and safe for children to handle/ride.

When we had the one it lived with my sec d quite happily - he had a muzzle on in the daytime when there was too much grass, and lived out at night in the winter, and as could see the other horse from the paddock, did not stress. Once we got the other one we gave them both a 3/4 paddock to share.

We never rested or rotated this paddock so was always grazed right down, so no too many issues with weight and ours were not lami prone. The did respect electric fencing but used 3 strands on the rare occasion we needed to.

Feed wise they lived on fresh air and 'scrap s' i.e. they were never officially fed but would get the hay sweepings from the barn in the winter etc. The only time we gave them hay properly was when it snowed heavily and they couldn't get down to the grass.

We sold our original one as my son had outgrown him and was too good to be kept as a companion. He went to a 2 yr old girl down south and as far as I am aware they still have him. We the rehomed the other as felt it was unfair to keep him on his own.

Tbh neither were ever any hassle and still miss them several years on - I would have another like a shot.

 

[be positive]

1 the pony should be fine with yours, most are more than capable of standing up for themselves so I wouldn't worry about the size difference, obviously it may require restricting more than your ponies do but that would depend on the individual.
2 they can be long reined, lunged or led from another pony to keep it exercised.
3 you may need to put a low strand to prevent them going under but if you get one that respects the electric it is no different to any other, just smaller!!
4 they can be headstrong and rude, just like any pony, many are not handled appropriately as people see them as being small and easy so let them behave in a way that you wouldn't let anything bigger get away with but again the same could be said for any small pony, or large horse it is down to how they are treated.

5 unless your mum is set on a Shetland for some reason I would suggest looking for a small pony of any type that has a nice temperament, shetlands are usually very wide for their height, so not the easiest for tiny legs to get round, their trot is quick as their legs are short , so not that easy to learn to rise to, an older pony that has been there and done it may be suitable but if you limit the search to just shetlands it may prove hard to find something.

 

[Apercrumbie]

Hi. I have a rather strong-willed little fella so I will tell you a bit about how I manage him.

1) Our herd are all fatties so summer grazing is reasonably restricted. Mini is muzzled 24/7 from spring til october. I hate doing it but he still gets very fat. When he starts getting porky, I start bringing him in either at night or in the day to help him lose a bit more. I'm not going to lie, it's a struggle to keep his weight at a good level, particularly as he probably doesn't get enough exercise. If you get a mini, make sure you have the time/inclination to exercise them most days, as otherwise you will be fighting a losing battle.

2) Mine doesn't like lunging, but LOVES going on walks and being led off my big horse. I'm pretty sure he could be trained to lunge/long rein as well. They are very clever things so variety is very handy to stop them getting bored. Personally, I think the best solution is either to lead them off another horse or to break them to drive. It is very hard for a fit shetland to get laminitic so exercise is definitely the way forward.

3) Ours is fine with electric fence as long as it's on. I can't complain about his houdini skills as he's no worse than any of the others in the herd. Just keep your batteries charged!

4) He is naturally a nippy pony - he's always picked things up in his mouth and likes to do it to people too. He NEVER bites me, but he would quite happily nip someone who isn't aware/inexperienced. It's frustrating as I struggle to train him out of it as he doesn't do it with me. He is also strong and can be rude when he is excited. This is definitely partly due to not quite enough handling and it is very manageable for me, but I wouldn't trust him with a child. However, my shetland is so unsuitable for children anyway. He is impatient, doesn't like being groomed and loves knocking things over. I have a great time with him - he has me in stitches every day - but there is no denying that he really doesn't like kids.


So, although my shetland would be unsuitable for what you need, I think you would just need to take your time finding a child friendly one. Make sure you really do have the time for them, they're not nearly as low-maintenance as they seem. Their weight needs micro-managing and many have sweet itch, including mine. So if you have the time, and oodles of patience then go for it. I wouldn't swap mine for anything, he's just gorgeous!

 

[Princess Rosie]

There are lots of good wee Shetlands around, we have a mini Shetland (and a mini horse x) and they are fab, we also have a mini shetland on full livery with us. Ours are very well mannered as we handle them a lot and do stuff with them, we have miniature lunging and long reigning equipment (including the tiniest of brushing boots you've ever seen), we take them for walks as well.

Ours live out with the other horses (including a 17.1hh WB) and believe me they stick up for themselves, wouldn't worry about them being out with bigger ones (providing they've been introduced properly obviously).

Ours our out in fields that are hedged around the perimeter and post and railed between and a couple of fields that have electric splitting them, one of them does escape through the gateway on occasion as he can be a little mischievous but usually when he wants to come in and the others are being brought in, he doesn't want to wait his turn!

The wee man we have on livery was from a petting zoo and now dislikes children as he has obviously been poked and prodded all his life, he's better being handled by adults as can be a little aggressive due to his history.

We've had a number of wee ones over the years and can highly recommend them!

 

[MotherOfChickens]

small ponies do not know they are small-treat them the same way as you would a horse (same amount of strength although with more brains) and you'll be fine.

extra strand of electric, plenty of exercise (longreining/driving), invest in good muzzles. and, whatever you think is an appropriate amount of food, take 7/8 of it and put it back-give pony remaining 1/8.

 

[HaffiesRock]

Thank you everybody for your replies. They are very honest and helpful.

 

[Apercrumbie]

whatever you think is an appropriate amount of food, take 7/8 of it and put it back-give pony remaining 1/8.

Definitely this: when the littlun is in on laminitis watch he is allowed one handful of hay soaked for hours twice, maybe three times a day. I really have to force myself to not give him any more.

 

[JJS]

I don't have much experience of Shetlands, but the ones I've met have been a mixed bag. I knew a black gelding that was one of the most ill-tempered ponies I've ever met, but also a little black mare who wasn't the saintliest creature I've ever come across, plus a few in the middle. My main issue with having a Shetland pony would be how quickly they end up being outgrown. Have you thought about a Welsh A or B? They're just as easy if not easier to manage, last children longer and I haven't come across a bad one yet (although I'm sure there are some out there).

 

[WelshD]

A Welsh A would be a nice choice they are narrower which may be more comfortable than a wider small pony

I did see the title of your thread and think 'and so it starts!' that's the trouble with having your own place, the cost of additional ponies is less lol

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I wouldnt be without them! They are awesome wee ponies! Mine rarely respect electric if they know it is turned off, most are great for kids to handle, a couple of the youngsters haven't learnt that far yet. Ridden wise one is perfect on the lead rein or for older kids but the inbetween he just stands stock still by a fence no matter what is thrown at him. One will look after any kid so long as theu are gung ho as he is quite forward going, another most certainly not a kids pony but she is deadly good fun!

I have 4 with sweetitch, 2 lammi ponies. They are the bosses in the field - the tbs didnt know what hit them -litterly as they got knee capped!

You honestly couldnt get a more fantastic pony to have!

 

[Tally-lah]

Mine live out with my big horses and I have never had any issues re lami - I just keep an eye on weight, same as with the bigger horses. I think attitude is the same as with any other breed of horse, set boundaries, handling and something to occupy their minds and they will be nice animals.

I love my mini's, although I have just re-homed my younger mare as she was getting bolshy and bored as I didn't have the time for her. I think they can be overlooked often and this leads to naughtiness, but with the right handling and attention are great little ponies!

 

[teasle]

There is a lady on facebook, Rebeca Brassington, who specialises in shetland ponies.

 

[Auslander]

I think they are fab, if they are treated as horses, not cute, naughty, fluffy little bundles, right from the outset. I've known demon shetlands, and I've known angelic ones - the naughty ones have generally been treated like lapdogs and have terrible manners, because they don't know any better. As long as they are handled like any other horse, not spoiled, and your fencing has an extra rail/tape at the bottom, there's no reason not to have them! I'd love one - I could use it as a mounting block!

 

[3OldPonies]

small ponies do not know they are small-treat them the same way as you would a horse (same amount of strength although with more brains) and you'll be fine.

extra strand of electric, plenty of exercise (longreining/driving), invest in good muzzles. and, whatever you think is an appropriate amount of food, take 7/8 of it and put it back-give pony remaining 1/8.

Couldn't have put it better myself (apart from the muzzle - mine wore one once, got it off and we never bothered again)

That first bit is really important I would say. Just because they are small and look cute doesn't mean that they should be treated like small cute things, it's treatment like that which usually is the cause of them becoming nasty, bitey, kicking machines. Bring them up just as you would a larger pony or horse and you'll be fine.

Oh, and one last thing - if you are walking out in hand or riding and leading, allow extra time for your walk/hack because loads of people will want to come and pet the little pony!!!

 

[The Fuzzy Furry]

HR, hope you find the right one.
The current Tiny Fuzzy (all of 33ins & registered shetland) is:
Easy to do (now). Got her as one from a huge welfare case, she was part of a big group, and couldn't tie, load or be in yard/paddock on own when I got her.
Now:
Lives out with other (anything from 14hh to 16.2 over the past 4 yrs) & sticks up for herself but doesn't go bullying the others.
Doesn't escape EXCEPT through electric fencing. So, will stay in fence post & rail, but limbos under electric if it is sub-dividing.
Will stay in paddock or stable on own.
Is treated like any other, so has manners.
Brilliant with small people.
Now lunges, long reins and am hoping she can pull us around on a sledge this winter. Also leads off bigger ones.
Wears a grazing muzzle when required, only losing it 2 or 3 times a year.

Summing up, yes I would say get one, but strongly recco that you do have at least 1 small paddock with a permanent fence as pony prison, should the need arise.

Good luck & enjoy

 

[3OldPonies]

I They are the bosses in the field - the tbs didnt know what hit them -litterly as they got knee capped!

You honestly couldnt get a more fantastic pony to have!

This made me laugh so much, thanks EKW. We have a lasting legacy from my little 'un (sadly PTS in the summer, this is probably the first time I've laughed at a memory of him) H has arthritis in his nearside knee thanks to years of a small shettie knocking into it when they were playing to so that he'd fall down and come down to shettie's height!!!!!

 

[TelH]

Shetties... no yard is complete without one but a really determined one will escape through any kind of fencing known to humankind.

 

[3OldPonies]

Shetties... no yard is complete without one but a really determined one will escape through any kind of fencing known to humankind.

LOL! A work acquaintance told me recently that his shettie chomped his way through the bottom of his newly installed post and rail - eeek!

 

[gunnergundog]

The ones I've known have been referred to as Shitlands.....not their fault per se, but they do need managing IMO as if they were a 15hh horse!

65 plus years ago I was put on one called Red Barrel.....why I'm still riding today certainly has nothing to do with him! Rude, strong and single-minded are the words I would use to describe him; he hoofed it home with me hanging on for grim death on numerous occasions! They are wide and do have thick necks which can make them strong. If getting one for a youngster I would either get a very old one and/or make sure there was a much older, more experienced person who could sit on it at least once a week to reinforce right from wrong and generally keep it under the thumb! They can carry amazing weight for their size, so small, light adults/teenagers should be okay!

Others I have encountered have just been kept as companions and were probably bored out of their tiny brains. They were perfectly happy nurse-maiding 17hh warmbloods but could be handy with both teeth and heels to handle by humans and generally (but not always) were king of the paddock.

Fresh air and no grazing seemed to be what the majority survived on.........rolling under the bottom set of rails in a post and rail paddock or bottom line of electric fencing is par for the course!

One we had on a yard would untie itself in the lorry and go under the partitions through the plastic skirt and cause havoc as well.

Good luck!

 

[3OldPonies]

Amazing stories on here.

Good job we all seem to love the little monsters!!!!!!

 

[_HP_]

Fab ponies
Treat them like any other horse or pony and you'll be fine. The problems and bad rep they get are because people treat them like toys and let them get away with things that they wouldn't normally allow or they assume it's just because they are a Shetland pony.
I keep mine on restricted grazing in summer and out in full field in winter just like I do with my cob or my welshie. Mine have also been out on 12 and 20 acres with no problems...it just depends on the type of grazing as it does with any equine. I use electric fencing...chest height. The most important thing is that it is tensioned correctly at both ends and obviously working correctly although mine won't go through it even if it's off unless it goes baggy.
Mine get on with other horses or ponies.
Riding and leading is a good way to exercise them I'd you can.
None of mine are headstrong or rude and there's no reason why they should be. They can be playful and characterful but need not be rude and bad mannered.

 

[tootsietoo]

I've had two, and they have been easier to manage than my Welsh ponies! One was very laminitic, the other (which we have now) is a slim, fit, fully clipped racing snake of a shetland who actually needs to be fed! I have been riding and leading on the road from my hunter to keep him fit, but he is unshod and have had to cut down to once a week as his feet are wearing down. Otherwise I loose school and my daughter rides a few times a week. He is nippy and fidgety, but an angel for my 6 yr old daughter to ride. The other one we used to have was also an angel. Neither ever went through the electric fence (on the mains) and neither were bothered about whether they were turned out on their own or with others, kept in or out. Very easy! As others have said, the laminitic one needed virtually no food - literally! Just a handful of hay twice a day when I was slimming her down!

 

[catroo]

I'm lucky in that my four shetlands are turned out together in a four acre field all year round and no issues with laminitus. The grazing is old/rough grass and because it's plentiful they don't gorge. They come in during in summer to get away from flies but otherwise out 24/7 and seem to love it.

They have shared a field with horses before and no issues, like others have said they are quick to work out when an electric fence is off or not working.

Exercise wise, mix of walking inhand, lunging, long reining, driving or leading off your horse.

Not rude if you treat them correctly, my eldest gelding is an absolute saint with kids, never pulls on the lead, stands still for hours and seems to take on a protect and keep watch mode. With my other half he takes the pee a bit!.

 

[muckypony]

I've had my two lovely boys since weaning and would encourage anyone to get one. They are not '*****lands', rude or bargy. In fact they are better behaved than the majority of horses at my yard!

1) Mine are turned out alone now but were with a section A and a foal with no problems. They aew no more likely to get fat/lami than any other pony.

2) In had walking, long-reining, free schooling, ride and lead, driving, riding.

3) They used to be in a well fence electric paddock (4 levels) but now I am lucky enough to have a 5 rail post and rail fence.

4) They are no more bargy or headstrong than any other pony, unfortunately some people treat them like dogs! Teach them manners, enforce the boundaries and just be aware when a little one is around.

I adore my boys and everyone that meets them comments on how impeccably they behave! They are fun, cheeky and most of all they are the biggest timewaster!!

 

[flirtygerty]

Personally I would opt for a sec A, I was kicked by a shettie and was bruised from my knee to the sole of my foot, they can be good and are really cute, but IMO there's better ponies for kids, I rescued a petting farm mini, deformed feet, matted mane etc, he was great with the horses in the field, but in the barn/stables kept kicking out, just at knee/hock height and I couldn't risk the horses, so after sorting his feet out he was rehomed to an experienced mini owner

 

[_HP_]

Personally I would opt for a sec A, I was kicked by a shettie and was bruised from my knee to the sole of my foot, they can be good and are really cute, but IMO there's better ponies for kids, I rescued a petting farm mini, deformed feet, matted mane etc, he was great with the horses in the field, but in the barn/stables kept kicking out, just at knee/hock height and I couldn't risk the horses, so after sorting his feet out he was rehomed to an experienced mini owner

To be fair...any pony could have kicked you (I've come across some pretty scatty section A's) and any pony can become I'll mannered etc.

If you go for a Shetland pony, it's no different to any other equine purchase, check out its manners as well as everything else.

I have helped a breeder over the past 7years and out of over 40 Shetlands she's had and bred, Ive only come across 2 that were I'll mannered and the were youngsters that had gone through the sales and were easily sorted and are now children's ponies

 

[millikins]

I have a PB Shetland, only 10.3 so mainly Shettie, she drives and is wonderful. She did PC all summer with a 7 yr old as getting a bit stale driving and they won Mini Camp, all off lead rein and with best dressage score of the day. I've just bought a Standard, unbroken, but is now longreining and will drive. Mine live out happily with other horses and ponies, oddly both have chosen the biggest available to be friends with. They really, really need to work to keep their clever little brains busy but of the small ponies I've seen are on the whole more honest than Sec A's. Have to admit both can be a bit nippy.

 

[Merlod]

Shetlands are the best, I have purchased two as and adult and they're amazing. They aren't rude, nippy or kicky by nature - it's how we treat them that makes them what they are. Sadly, being small and fluffy means they are more likely to be spoiled than any other horse and being native they are super smart and learn these bad behaviours quickly. You really need to treat them like a big horse, or as others have said - check their manners when viewing as they do get set in their ways when said "tricks" result in food or getting their own way!

Mine also love having a job, going out in the trap and they really do seem to enjoy scaring the big horses, oops..

Also a good standard shetland will be able to carry as much if not more than a Welsh A and although they're shorter the barrel will take up the leg