Thoughts on Shetlands

I think they are fab. When I was tiny, I rode a fab one, it was only years later I found out they had a rep. I've met plenty since, & I do really like them, I love the intelligent, opinionated streak. Daughters ridden quite a few, all different but all ace imo. I think the only problem is being small, they are often allowed to get away with murder by some people. I'd always want a shettie as a first pony too.
 
LOVE LOVE LOVE mine!

Bought her last summer for my niece as a 16yr old 'been everywhere done everything' mothers dream. We put her on working livery with a riding school. She jumps like a horse, really looks after the kids, never ever puts a foot wrong and has manners to die for... to the point where she walks at your hip on the lead as though she's spent her whole life in the show ring.

We later found out she was given away to a forever home because she'd kick, barge, bite, rear, run at you in the field and was generally a living nightmare. We also found that she'd never been ridden a day in her life before we went to try her. It was pretty horrific that someone would sell a pony with such a 'bad' nature, especially knowing full well she'd be ridden by a toddler, but we've never looked back. Just goes to show they're not as stupid as they look and the way they're treated has everything to do with the way they respond.

The only thing I can complain about really is the fact she rolls on the yard every day when she comes in, and the second the fencing is off or she finds a weak spot she's off hooning round next doors field. I wouldn't swap her for the world, she's as much a pet as a working pony and I absolutely love her to death. But, they're just like any other horse in the fact that they're really diverse in personality and no two are the same.
 
Crikey Kellebee!! So glad she turned out to be such a good pony :O that could have ended so so badly D:

Hehe, I can relate to the electric fence thing! Ned either jumps it or waits until it's off, then pushes it down. One of the horses figured out that the white posts aren't painful and he pushed them to get the fence down :O
 
I have 6 shetlands ,i love them. All of them are shown in hand and its brilliant. Recently bought a black standard to show and he is beautiful. We have a 6 month old palomino colt that we bred and hope to show him next year. I have always kept big horses and still ride but showing the shetlands is another thing I now really enjoy :-)
 
I'd love one too, but would need a 'reason' to keep one :D For those who have broken to trap, can they carry adults in the trap or just wee ones? (silly q I'm sure!)
 
Bear in mind that if Rupert isn't registered that will restrict the amount if classes he can be shown in - I'm guessing you'll only want to show locally but worth bearing in mind if you get the showing bug!
 
My shetland was in a stockwires field with 4 lines of electric running off the mains infront of it. Yet she still managed to escape.....:rolleyes:
She always broke thick wooden gate and managed to somehow climb and squeeze through :rolleyes:

I adore them, but if yu have an escappee you need the patience of a saint.
 
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WelshD said:
Bear in mind that if Rupert isn't registered that will restrict the amount if classes he can be shown in - I'm guessing you'll only want to show locally but worth bearing in mind if you get the showing bug!
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He's registered, I think ^^ I think it's a proper shetland breeders place.

FfionWinnie - Yea, I wish I could keep him with Ned, but if I can find a place in the 3 or 4 villages/towns around here, then it won't be a big deal to visit both :) Though, if I really can't find anywhere, then I just won't get him, which will be a shame, but not the end of the world :) they have a few for sale and have been around for years, so I'm sure I'll get something from them eventually, even if it's not dear little Rupert!

Shettie - I think I proved today that I have the patience of a saint with that bloomin' Ned!
I didn't have to deal with the biggest chunk of his naughtiness, YO did, but I had the tail end!

He was put in the big field, jumped in with the ponies, galloped them around, trashing the field, jumped in with the foals (who are actually nearly 4, we just still call them the foals!) terrified them, was put back where he started, jumped out, galloped round the smaller field, and was then finally put back. After the ride (this is where I come in) he was put out in a new field, which is fine for them to trash. He thundered around for a bit, then jumped out!! I put him back in and he seemed to settle. If he's still in there in the morning, it will be a miracle!!
 
horsesatemymoney said:
I'd love one too, but would need a 'reason' to keep one :D For those who have broken to trap, can they carry adults in the trap or just wee ones? (silly q I'm sure!)
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I used to drive my 34" shettie and absolutely no problem carrying adults. He adored driving and would get very excited when I took his gear round to the stable.

One of the best sayings I ever heard about shetties is: "The problem with shetlands is that they are 17 hands of war horse mentality all wrapped up in a tiny body ..... and no-one has had the nerve to tell them!"

My little lad had the biggest personality of any equine I have ever known and not a bad cell in his body. He's now waiting for me at the rainbow bridge and I miss him so much.
 
I have 3 shetlandxfallabella, love them. They have tempraments to die for and they are so intelligent and affectionate. I plan to train one of them for driving but she is only a year old so will start with long reining next summer. Never thought I would have a mini but to be honest wouldn't be without one any more. The breeder I had mine from keeps hers with her big horses some of which are 16hh plus with no problems but I do keep mine seperate from my big ones. OP get one you will not regret it.:)
 
Shetlands can pull more weight in a cart than they can carry on their backs due to the wheels rolling making their job easier.

If I can't find a home for my 5yo Gelding them I will probably break him to drive in the spring. Although he is the full 42" he is quite narrow and short in the back so wouldn't be upto carrying adults for any length of time at all but he has a powerful front end on him so driving may be his thing.
 
Nah said:
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..
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i had to have a giggle to myself at this Nah, please dont get offended, but isnt what you describe exactly what a time waster is?! :D
 
lula said:
i had to have a giggle to myself at this Nah, please dont get offended, but isnt what you describe exactly what a time waster is?! :D
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I don't see how? I said I absolutely adore him, but I don't have a place to keep him, so carry on as they were and sell him to someone else if they come along and if I find anything, then I'll be in touch :P
It's not like I asked her to save him, or said I can buy him, then not turn up! I've not been to see him, just looked at pics and emailed.

You've got me worried now!!!
 
We had 2 for many years and they were little darlings. After my son outgrew them, they would not be ridden for mnths on end, then a friend would come round with a toddler and we would just plonk them on, and never had a problem.

The main things too watch out for is their weight - we had a constant battle with ours even kept in a very over grazed field. They were also monkeys with electric fencing - as their coats were so thick they never got a proper zap, so would just push through it!

We finally decided this spring they were too good too kept just be pets, and sold them both the weekend they were advertised. We keep in touch with the new owners and regularily get photos of them with their new little riders, and it is so nice to see them doing a job again.

Shetlands have a bad reputation, but the good ones are worth their weight in gold x
 
Nah said:
I don't see how? I said I absolutely adore him, but I don't have a place to keep him, so carry on as they were and sell him to someone else if they come along and if I find anything, then I'll be in touch :P
It's not like I asked her to save him, or said I can buy him, then not turn up! I've not been to see him, just looked at pics and emailed.

You've got me worried now!!!
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no, please dont worry, i really wasnt having a go. Like i said it made me chuckle just the way you phrased it.

if you have a horse for sale a definition of a time waster MAY be someone who wants to chat about how lovely the pony is but doesnt actuially want to buy it, you see?
im not saying you are one and im sure buyer doesnt either. After all, if as you say she has other ponies she'll be happy to know she may have one to sell you in future when you have somewhere to keep him.
 
lula said:
no, please dont worry, i really wasnt having a go. Like i said it made me chuckle just the way you phrased it.

if you have a horse for sale a definition of a time waster MAY be someone who wants to chat about how lovely the pony is but doesnt actuially want to buy it, you see?
im not saying you are one and im sure buyer doesnt either. After all, if as you say she has other ponies she'll be happy to know she may have one to sell you in future when you have somewhere to keep him.
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She seemed quite willing to chat, they've got a facebook page and seem to like to talk to people/possible customers :P
I do think the phrase 'time waster' is thrown around too much. I saw on ad on facebook for a rug "ABSOLUTELY NO TIME WASTERS!!!" geeze, it's just a rug!

I even said I hope I'm not wasting her time and she said not at all!
Though, perhaps if she was a private seller, selling a pony she's had for a while it may have seemed like I was wasting her time.
 
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