The search for a small has begun…

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BBP

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As said in a previous post, I’m quietly looking for a small to join the group. Someone kind enough to not mind my Arab wanting to live in its skin and touch it constantly, but with enough resiliance and enthusiasm to perhaps partake in a daily game of bitey face with my big chunk of a Connemara gelding without getting offended. So probably a really well socialised gelding rather than another mare who won’t appreciate his tough and tumble. Nothing nervy or people shy, which so far has ruled out a lot from the charities. I’m afraid being really cute and joyful is also a criteria!

I tentatively posted this somewhere and have been contacted by the most lovely lady who breeds miniature Shetlands and has offered for me to go and visit her herd and see if any (from yearlings to a 5yo) might be suitable. All well socialised as they grow up in a herd, and well handled, but perhaps younger than I was thinking. All extremely nice looking ponies with nice conformation. Proper scaled down Shetlands.

However, every time I mention to someone about getting a mini Shetland (or any sized Shetland) they tell me it’s a dumb idea, that I should be getting a 12/13 hander as it’s easier to manage their needs better with the rest (my others are all around 14.3-15hh good doers) and that Shetlands are an absolute nightmare who will just cause me extra stress. I have all weather turnout and run a grass track system in summer, but I do rely a lot on electric fencing for my tracks and inner dividing fences (outer perimeter is completely secure). And my grass if they did break out is far better than they will get up on the hills currently, which is a risk for any of my horses. So are Shetland smalls really a dumb idea?

Also, if I was to get a younger pony than planned say 2yo, is it better for the pony’s sake to have 2 from that same herd, to make the introduction process easier on them (last thing I want is another new intro with bad ulcers from a change of homes) and can then cause trouble together. Or just 1 and introduce to the Arab who is a darling? Obviously 2x trimming and vet bills is a big consideration.

If anyone wants to do some small companion pony hunting to get my mind off the gorgeous photos I have seen of the mini Shetlands, please do! I fully accept I make bad horse buying choices and probably shouldn’t be allowed!
 
Ours is a standard Shetland, he joined us as a yearling from a herd in Dartmoor and has fitted right in with my two geldings - he is joyful, cheeky, knows when to play and when to stop etc, so I don’t think your plan is made at all! The only thing is he just does not care for electric fencing one bit 😆 maybe a muzzle?!
 
tatty_v said:
Ours is a standard Shetland, he joined us as a yearling from a herd in Dartmoor and has fitted right in with my two geldings - he is joyful, cheeky, knows when to play and when to stop etc, so I don’t think your plan is made at all! The only thing is he just does not care for electric fencing one bit 😆 maybe a muzzle?!
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I think muzzle are almost a certainty at some points in the year! How big are your other two? How do you find weight management?
 
I have a small shetland as a companion, he's 21 now and I've had him for 14 years. He does a perfect job as a companion, isn't bothered when other goes out and about. He was companion to my other cob, when I lost him and got J who was 3 1/2, he was delighted to have someone who would play silly games with him. I have three strands of electric on my fencing and have to make sure the energiser is always giving a strong shock, he does get muzzled in the summer which is enough to keep his weight right. He is with a cob who isn't on loads of grazing though, if he was in a field with poor doers I think his management would be more problematic.
 
Mine is what you describe. Gets on with absolutely anything and anyone.
Since having him he’s been company to everything from his current charge, 11hh very delicate little mare to a 16.3 TB (his all time bestie)
He can be a little monster, he go’s through stages of escaping but still not as bad as some!
I never have amazing grass here and having had several over the years with laminitis, including a TB I’m super cautious about putting anything on hood grass so he generally is fine just turned out with the others as usual.
I do muzzle in summer.
He is the one I post about with FWS sadly but really other than that he’s the easiest thing to have round. Great for the farrier, vet, dentist.
He’’d happily live in or out (or in the house)
Good luck with your search, can’t wait to see what you find!
 
My miniatures were a joy to have around but I wouldn't want one on its own with no tiny company. A 2 year old I bought as a yearling was wildly metabolic, though, and since the owner had been asking to have her back, saying she'd made a mistake selling her, I let her. She needed life on a dry lot. I did dry lot the pair over summer, where they stayed on my 30x40 arena with just a single strand of electric at chest height, with the arena edging underneath it. The remaining one seemed lost without her friend and I had no job for her to do so I loaned her to a child whose mother let her get laminitis, took her back from loan and sold her to a mother with another laminitic pony and a tiny daughter who hacked out on her, which was perfect.
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I have a mini Shetland and I just love her. Can’t break any sporthorse legs when she is telling them off for being obnoxious, bossy and just a great personality. We have to manage her carefully in the summer but just fence her off from them so next door and can touch without the issues of too much grass. My only real maintenance is I clip her as soon as we get double digits weather regularly. Usually a trace clip and then it all comes off later as soon as it’s warm. I take her for walks, long line her and loose jump her for a bit of fun. I have ride and lead on short rides with her. She is black so I am very wary of temperature if it’s hot as she doesn’t cope well even clipped out but as long as has shade she is ok. She effectively lives like a sportshorse in the winter coming in overnight. She has only been handled by adults so is very polite and easy. Loves a good groom.
 
GoldenWillow said:
I have a small shetland as a companion, he's 21 now and I've had him for 14 years. He does a perfect job as a companion, isn't bothered when other goes out and about. He was companion to my other cob, when I lost him and got J who was 3 1/2, he was delighted to have someone who would play silly games with him. I have three strands of electric on my fencing and have to make sure the energiser is always giving a strong shock, he does get muzzled in the summer which is enough to keep his weight right. He is with a cob who isn't on loads of grazing though, if he was in a field with poor doers I think his management would be more problematic.
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I have the benefit that all mine are good doers, so they are all managed pretty carefully. And right now the Arab has decided she doesn’t like the field and only wants to live on the hardstanding and arena (she has the option to turn herself out) so apparently she would be perfect company for a small!
 
LEC said:
I have a mini Shetland and I just love her. Can’t break any sporthorse legs when she is telling them off for being obnoxious, bossy and just a great personality. We have to manage her carefully in the summer but just fence her off from them so next door and can touch without the issues of too much grass. My only real maintenance is I clip her as soon as we get double digits weather regularly. Usually a trace clip and then it all comes off later as soon as it’s warm. I take her for walks, long line her and loose jump her for a bit of fun. I have ride and lead on short rides with her. She is black so I am very wary of temperature if it’s hot as she doesn’t cope well even clipped out but as long as has shade she is ok. She effectively lives like a sportshorse in the winter coming in overnight. She has only been handled by adults so is very polite and easy. Loves a good groom.
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See this sounds ideal. But all the real life people I talk to are like NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Which is a bit disheartening, but I’m not sure if any of them actually have one or are just prejudice from seeing others with them.
 
I prefer to keep mini Shetlands/mini horses in similar herds. They can absolutely live with bigger horses but only if they also have a friend the same size, so now you need two.

Is the small for a kiddo? If so realistically the mini will last a few months then kiddo will outgrow it and you’ll have an annoying lawnmower. Re fencing I have never had an issue but I have sheep fencing around my entire field. Electric tape has never ever held them.

Maybe a Welsh a would suit? They’re mega cute too.
 
Equi said:
I prefer to keep mini Shetlands/mini horses in similar herds. They can absolutely live with bigger horses but only if they also have a friend the same size, so now you need two.

Is the small for a kiddo? If so realistically the mini will last a few months then kiddo will outgrow it and you’ll have an annoying lawnmower. Re fencing I have never had an issue but I have sheep fencing around my entire field. Electric tape has never ever held them.

Maybe a Welsh a would suit? They’re mega cute too.
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Heck no to any kiddos at my yard! Just something small and fun to have around and to try to get the right character for the herd dynamics. I love small welshes as well, it’s just finding the right one. I think the breeder of the Shetlands appealed as she is so nice, putting on no pressure to buy anything (so won’t see me as a time waster if none of them are right) and her ponies have full history known and a few to choose between. It’s hard to trust people now, so many I see advertised online just seem to want to offload a pony at any cost and will tell you whatever you want to hear to do so. If you ask lots of questions or want to visit you become a time waster. The needing 2 is my thought though, if I went for something that small.
 
I agree with your friends, a little Welshie would fit in much better with the other two. I've owned all three but never a Shetland (they've never appealed to me) so I could be biased.
 
BBP said:
Heck no to any kiddos at my yard! Just something small and fun to have around and to try to get the right character for the herd dynamics. I love small welshes as well, it’s just finding the right one. I think the breeder of the Shetlands appealed as she is so nice, putting on no pressure to buy anything (so won’t see me as a time waster if none of them are right) and her ponies have full history known and a few to choose between. It’s hard to trust people now, so many I see advertised online just seem to want to offload a pony at any cost and will tell you whatever you want to hear to do so. If you ask lots of questions or want to visit you become a time waster. The needing 2 is my thought though, if I went for something that small.
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Tbf most of them are easy to get along with most horses. I’ve maybe been lucky but I be never met a bad one or one that gives owners mega hassle, I think the bad ones are over talked about because it’s funny because they’re so small..sort of like how small dogs are given a bad rep but most are actually okay. I’ve taken lots of random ones in and put them straight out with my lot, and caught “feral” ones (literally had to lift her and carry her onto the horse box 😂) but had a head collar on her within a few days and she went on to be a good showing horse. As long as they’re treated like a horse not a puppy they turn out okay.
 
If you have to lead them out for weight loss/general boredom and good health, Shetlands are so small they can end up almost under the horse (which some find very entertaining) and are so low and strong they can potentially almost (or actually) pull you off. Anything smaller than about 10hh may need fencing adjustment also. We have been on yards with minis and an extra rail/mains electric fence line that was lower than the standard was required. A Welsh A or small DHP or similar at about 11-12hh is easier to lead and will stay in the same height fencing as everyone else.

If you just want a cute Shetland to cuddle then go ahead - they will keep you endlessly entertained and probably always end up where they shouldn’t be!!
 
Depending on how playful the connie is, I'd suggest something a bit larger. My small is 11hh and was a great companion to the 18 mnth old Dales gelding but the play became too rough and I had to seperate them as the small was sustaining various cuts and scrapes, including his back, nothing malicious just mismatched size.
 
We had a mini Shetland and she was the most amazing pony and no bother at all to keep where she was meant to be. We used to take her out for walks, she would go anywhere and was the most polite unflappable pony. She kept one of my boisterous geldings in check but managed to get away with alsorts with her herdmates that they would never have tolerated from any other pony/horse. She'd just casually sneak up to help someone eat their bucket food and most of them would just let her even though she was never anywhere near the top of the pecking order.
I would love a whole herd of minis just to watch them running round playing.
 
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Riding and leading a mini from a 16.2hh and friend rode the big horse on the beach and I took the Shetland as well. I had her mother for one summer and she was underwhelmed by having mini company. She loves attention and being groomed. She is treated like a sporthorse who isn’t ridden and in return her job is to babysit whatever needs it that day from 2yo giants like last year to neurotic mares.
She had a clip today as been getting itchy with weather.

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LEC said:
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Riding and leading a mini from a 16.2hh and friend rode the big horse on the beach and I took the Shetland as well. I had her mother for one summer and she was underwhelmed by having mini company. She loves attention and being groomed. She is treated like a sporthorse who isn’t ridden and in return her job is to babysit whatever needs it that day from 2yo giants like last year to neurotic mares.
She had a clip today as been getting itchy with weather.

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Just gorgeous. All points from everyone noted. Decided if I do go for young minis it will be two, as that seems fairest on the ponies. But I’m now doubting whether young ones direct from the breeder is the best way to go, as I’ve already got two young horses in training to educate in the ways of the world, and it probably isn’t fair to ask a 2yo to go out and about in the box as a travel buddy to them when it’s still a baby itself. There is the option of the 5yo and a 2yo as a pair. So will think on it some more. Not going to visit them for a couple of weeks as she and I are both busy, so gives time to look for more establish ponies seeking an easy life as well.
 
millikins said:
Depending on how playful the connie is, I'd suggest something a bit larger. My small is 11hh and was a great companion to the 18 mnth old Dales gelding but the play became too rough and I had to seperate them as the small was sustaining various cuts and scrapes, including his back, nothing malicious just mismatched size.
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He can be a bit of a thug, but also is pretty smart, so his games with BBP were usually him letting BBP bite and abuse him without much retaliation, as otherwise BBP would get offended and leave.

That said, if he is too rough, the smalls could live on one track with the Arab and just play bitey face over the fence with him if they wanted. That is usually enough to keep him happy. Especially as his work hopefully ups this year so he should be more gainfully employed rather than than just bored in the field (he hasn’t been well so is very slow to get started!).
 
DizzyDoughnut said:
We had a mini Shetland and she was the most amazing pony and no bother at all to keep where she was meant to be. We used to take her out for walks, she would go anywhere and was the most polite unflappable pony. She kept one of my boisterous geldings in check but managed to get away with alsorts with her herdmates that they would never have tolerated from any other pony/horse. She'd just casually sneak up to help someone eat their bucket food and most of them would just let her even though she was never anywhere near the top of the pecking order.
I would love a whole herd of minis just to watch them running round playing.
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There is a rainbow herd of minis on my drive to the yard everyday they make me so happy I would love to get D a mini pet 😅 fells are just giant shetties right.
 
@Cloball Haha I would love this! The person we bought our fell from warned us not to let him live with shetlands because she'd tried keeping him in a herd with about 4 shetlands in and he bullied them! I think he'd be OK with the right bossy shetland that would put him in his place though, he's a big wimp at heart and immediately backs down when anyone stands up to him. Just to be on the safe side though I think I'd need a separate shetland herd, I have dreams of becoming a crazy mini pony lady as I get older, merrily roaming round the countryside with my team of shetlands 🤣
 
@DizzyDoughnut have you been watching Emma Massingdale too?

D is very submissive/annoying little sibling energy I think she'd be bullied by a Shetland 🫣

There's usually some smalls at the local sales although I appreciate you might want a bit more input. I went to look at tack once and there was the cutest pink rotund pony with a back like a table about 11h that I still think about.
 
Cloball said:
@DizzyDoughnut have you been watching Emma Massingdale too?

D is very submissive/annoying little sibling energy I think she'd be bullied by a Shetland 🫣

There's usually some smalls at the local sales although I appreciate you might want a bit more input. I went to look at tack once and there was the cutest pink rotund pony with a back like a table about 11h that I still think about.
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Yes I have been watching Emma Massingdale! She is living my dream! 🤣

My fell tries to pretend he's big and bossy but as soon as anyone stands up to him he runs off, he is like an annoying child though and can't help himself but come back to annoy the others then bravely runs away when he gets told off!

Luckily I don't live near any sales, I'd want everything. I can't even go to normal auctions of cars or other random stuff I always come back with something usless just because I got over exited and wanted to bid on things! Last time I came away with VW golf and a Renault Megane that i hadnt even looked at the Megane had to be collected by the scrap man but the golf was ok 🤣

My last mini came feral from someone who just ran a herd up the hills and was selling them all off. I just stood by the gate while they ran round the field and picked the one that looked fiesty enough to stand up for herself. A week later we herded her into the trailer and she turned out to be the best £50 I ever spent!
 
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