Thoughts on Shetlands

Shantara

Shantara

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I posted this when I first joined, but I'd like to get some fresh ideas :)
When I first posted it, I was just musing about getting one, but I have found the perfect boy and I want him so much! Only problem is, I have no where to keep him :(

So, what do you think about them?
 
I like them. Always joked if I were ever to find myself pregnant (not likely!), it would be the first thing I'd go shopping for.

However, I think it would be inadvisable to purchase one without somewhere to keep it, or good reason to keep it.
 
JFTD said:
I like them. Always joked if I were ever to find myself pregnant (not likely!), it would be the first thing I'd go shopping for.

However, I think it would be inadvisable to purchase one without somewhere to keep it, or good reason to keep it.
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Ooh yea, I'm certainly not getting him unless I can find him a home, I'd do in-hand with him and Neddy! He's called Rupert and he's white! Really stunning little guy :D
 
Wonderful little ponies, but take as much looking after as a horse except poo less cos they eat less, but like any horse/pony cannot just be put in a field and forgotten about esp with laminitis, but they are so much fun. Very intelligent
 
I can't stand them. We had one when the children were little & it was a complete s*d, couldn't be trusted not to spin round & buck child off, & that was on the lead rein!

I would never, ever touch one with a barge pole. Of course i do know that there must be (but i've never met one) lots of lovely ones that people do enjoy & do lots with :-)
 
HazyXmas said:
I can't stand them. We had one when the children were little & it was a complete s*d, couldn't be trusted not to spin round & buck child off, & that was on the lead rein!

I would never, ever touch one with a barge pole. Of course i do know that there must be (but i've never met one) lots of lovely ones that people do enjoy & do lots with :-)
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One of mine wouldn't ever dream of doing that! It expends too much energy! What he does instead is lays down and rolls if there is a surface under his feet or he has a rosette on his bridle ...
 
Hehe, apparently this guy is a sweet little thing, he's only 33inches! Not a bad bone in his body. I emailed his owner and we had a lovely chat :) I explained my situation to her, to make sure she knows I'm not a time waster and she doesn't get her hopes up that I'm going to buy him and if he's sold before I can find a home, then it's no big deal.
I've wanted one since I discovered they existed!
 
It's like any breed, you get good and you get bad, it depends how they're handled.

If you walked behind a shetland whilst it lead you down the road, you'd soon know it. They are highly intelligent little things and will take the pee if they can. NOT for inexperienced handlers. These things have the power of a much bigger pony condensed right down into a little body. They need to be treated like a big horse, and they need a handler who will BE their handler and put them in their place through the proper channels.
They are NOT pets.
 
ponypilotmum said:
It's like any breed, you get good and you get bad, it depends how they're handled.

If you walked behind a shetland whilst it lead you down the road, you'd soon know it. They are highly intelligent little things and will take the pee if they can. NOT for inexperienced handlers. These things have the power of a much bigger pony condensed right down into a little body. They need to be treated like a big horse, and they need a handler who will BE their handler and put them in their place through the proper channels.
They are NOT pets.
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Oh yes, I know this far too well!
I often handle my friends Shetland cross stallion (he's bigger than a normal shetland, he's only rising 3 and he knows his strength!)
You need to be tough with him, I found this out the hard way. He can be the sweetest little angel, or the nastiest devil, depending on how you handle him!
 
ponypilotmum said:
It's like any breed, you get good and you get bad, it depends how they're handled.

If you walked behind a shetland whilst it lead you down the road, you'd soon know it. They are highly intelligent little things and will take the pee if they can. NOT for inexperienced handlers. These things have the power of a much bigger pony condensed right down into a little body. They need to be treated like a big horse, and they need a handler who will BE their handler and put them in their place through the proper channels.
They are NOT pets.
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This ^ :)

My mini is adorable & very cuddly with people, but needs a firm hand when doing things we dont usually do regularly. Will also listen to the electric fencer & if she finds its not on, will step through 3 lines of tape. However, does stay within permanent fencing - its just if I divide a paddock up for a bit she always migrates through, almost by levitating :rolleyes:
 
We have three mini Shetland and I love them, wouldn't part with any of them. They are very kind ponies (though I've heard some Shetland can be little monsters) and they always do their best to please. They aren't ridden but none the less happy for that. All three are extremely affectionate and follow me around whenever I'm in the paddock.
 
i secretly love them but don't tell anyone;) they have such characters and cute stumpy legs:D i sometimes hold my friends mini stallion for the farrier (she has bad back so can't do it), he used to be a little sod and rear trying to be all manly and scary, except you can't take it seriously when his rears don't even come past your waist and i didn't even spill the cup of tea i was drinking, he's given up rearing now as i think my laughing embarressed him into submission;)
 
jendie said:
We have three mini Shetland and I love them, wouldn't part with any of them. They are very kind ponies (though I've heard some Shetland can be little monsters) and they always do their best to please. They aren't ridden but none the less happy for that. All three are extremely affectionate and follow me around whenever I'm in the paddock.
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This sounds like Rupert :D Apparently he's quite shy of strangers, but once he knows you, you have a very best friend :)
 
I love them I have three minis and they are such a pleasure and joy. They do need handling the same as bigger horses imo with consistent rules. Size can be an issue in the escapology department though. :D A line of electric tape at nose height helps I've found.
 
I love my little mini Shetland, he's very intelligent and affectionate - absolutely loves people and attention.

He was super easy to break to harness and is always very willing and enthusiastic.

Exactly what everyone else has said though, you have to treat them like any other horse as they are clever enough to take advantage of any situation so need kind but firm handling.

They can be prone to laminitis and allergy problems so not always low maintenence.
 
My shettie is such a cutie. She is well behaved most of the time but very intelligent. She will go through electric fencing as soon as it is switched off and walks around trying to find a weak spot. She is very happy and loves her walks, she trots alongside me without a problem. However if there is something she doesn't want to do she will headbutt you but it's not very often that happens :)

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We have the most adorable little shetland mare ever - she's a bit dodgy with adults to be honest, a very nervy little thing but my 2 year old daughter (whose pony she is) can do anything with her & that little pony never puts a hoof wrong. However, she's high maintenance! Lami is a massive problem as is her weight as she lives on virtually nothing.

I work full time and have my own horse & Strawberry takes up much more time than I expected she would.

I don't know your circumstances but unless I had a reason for buying one (other than just wanting one) then I don't think I would with my current commitments. Not that I regret buying Strawberry - make no mistake that little madam has a home for life with us but I wouldn't want her to just be a field ornament :)

Oh yes, also, I've seen her go straight through electric fencing - she just did it super quick to minimise the shock! And she can still eat apples whilst wearing a muzzle, hence her last bout of lami!
 
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I currently help to look after four shetland ponies. None of them are ridden or shown so I am afraid I cannot say what they are like in those respects. However, I do know from experience that they are incredibly clever and even though they are small, they are strong and won't think twice about barging past you if they think you can't handle them! (I started working with them to get some practical experience with horses before moving up to something bigger but they might as well be badly behaved clydesdales!) The owner keeps them in a reliatively small paddock and stables them overnight, but of course it is always best to give them as much space as possible. Mucking out is quicker and I find that I can get a box done in around 30-40 minutes (allowing for the trek to the muck heap and back!) They are also very tough so you can usually keep them outside in all weathers.
 
The ones I've known have been total darlings to their jockeys, but utter sods to their handlers! There's one round us who is beyond gorgeous and has a tiny jockey who goes out and does all the mini WHP classes. Can't stop cooing at them!
 
love, love, love them. I'm on my 4th one now. I just use them for companions to the bigger woosier horses who can not stay in on their own!! The latest one, Tinker, always checks the electric fence.....daily. Will weave herway through if its not on, without breaking any strands or disturb the poles. She does come out sometimes, riding and leading........where she strides out in front, whilst 15.2 struggles to keep up! Will stop and speak to everybody, and stands and stares at humans if they do not come out to her. Taking her out involves plenty of spare time! Huge personality, more so than the horses, but definately needs a firm hand from time to time. Did i say i love them?
 
I think it would be great for you to have your own pony at last

I'd be very surprised if your existing yard can't help you out especially as you do a lot there for them :(

Can you drive yet? I'd possibly be able to help you out short term while you look for a yard provided you turn up at least a couple of times a week but I am north on the A5 just the other side of Towcester
 
WelshD said:
I think it would be great for you to have your own pony at last

I'd be very surprised if your existing yard can't help you out especially as you do a lot there for them :(

Can you drive yet? I'd possibly be able to help you out short term while you look for a yard provided you turn up at least a couple of times a week but I am north on the A5 just the other side of Towcester
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Right! Now I can reply properly :D

I'll soon have a horsey of my own, but I've always wanted a shetland :) and plus, he could accompany Ned to shows and join in too :D And if we ever move, he'll have a little friend he already knows!

I can understand why YO doesn't want a Shetty there, it's not ideal really! Though, I would love to put him in with the little white Shetland mare next door to her :( I feel SO sorry for her. She's been there longer than me and as far as I can tell, she's never left their back yard!! The poor mite has no friends and it's not a nice place to live. She has food and water and is in ok shape, so I can't really do anything for her.

I can drive now (yay!!) and Towcester isn't too far from me! I would love to take you up on that, but I have no idea how long it would take me to find a yard :( I will let you know if that becomes possible and thank you SO much for the offer :D so kind of you!!
 
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Have a lovely little lady - bosses the big boys about - would kill for a bucket if feed - gets through all electric fencing - can take her head collar of when tied outside the stable - but wouldn't be without our little madam - cnt have a yard without a Shetland :)
 
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