uncastrated shetland, opinions please

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rafty

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I have been looking at taking on a rescue pony as a companion for my pony (mare). I have been contacted about a shetland that has just been rescued and needs to be rehomed, however they think he is not castrated. This is my only problem, other than that I would like to take him on. He could also be ridden, which is a bonus. Again, not sure if he will be suitable however, as he would be ridden by my young children and being a stallion I am not sure that would be wise.

So really want to know some opinions of taking on an uncastrated shetland to live with my mare. Thanks
 
I don't think so. Men don't loose the will or much fertility with age do they? :D

ps. At 20 (providing he has covered mares) he will have learned a trick or two as well.
 
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Definately castrate, or rehome from one of.the rescue centres whose ponies will have been castrated :) it needn't be a general anaesthetic, and if he is in good health... Just to be sure, chat to your vet :)
 
Just one thing, unless you really want this boy, the castration etc will cost you, and you would have to have it done before he became your mares companion in my view, surely the better option for you in the immediate sense would be to get a pony that is already castrated etc or a mare. There's plenty of cheap outgrown ponies around, animal charities are bursting, and they would have them castrated before handing them over...

Just a suggestion. People are practically giving ponies away at the moment, a family member has rescued two, one sec A she got for a £1 to save from the meat man, the other was gifted as the owner couldn't cope with her... Although this little chap may be a good option, it may be better for you in the long one to hold out for something more suitable?
 
I am in France and have not really found the price of ponies has dropped. At least not where I am looking!! I am also viewing one tomorrow for 900 euros for a 16 year old school pony.

I am going to phone the lady from the rescue centre as well tomorrow to chat a bit more, see if he can be castrated before hand. Poor little thing has been living in a tiny paddock, on his own and his feet were in a terrible state having not been trimmed in god knows how long. His little hooves are really long in the photo I have been sent.
 
Has he covered a mare before? If he has, surely being 20 and still entire he won't leave your mare alone? I'm very surprised a rescue charity hasn't gelded him already :confused: maybe there's a reason for this...
 
The message I have is that they received info that he was in a bad way, they went to see the owners just before the weekend who agreed they could take him. I think they want to find him somewhere to go before the owners change their minds. But I guess you are right, surely he would go to the centre and then be castrated before being rehomed.
 
I'd someone wanting to buy one of my ponies, but they had no other horses. I won't let ponies go to homes where there is no company. The purchaser had no problem getting TWO Shetland colts from the local rescue who were happy to have them castrated (at the charity's expense) before handing them over, so everyone was happy! Ask around and I feel sure you will find a gelding somewhere.
 
A stallion can make a good LR pony, with the right handling. There are shetland stallions out there on the show circuit, who are absolute gentlemen. My own shetland stallion (slightly reluctantly) plays dolls with my small daughter. But I cannot emphasise enough that this is under the RIGHT handling, and in the right situation. I would not routinely recommend an entire male as a LR pony.

In the situation you describe, I think it would be madness to bring an entire male in. I have seen large mares lay down for shetland stallions, or small stallions to stand on things in order to cover larger mares. Unless you want a foal, do not put any entire male in with your mare.

Any charity which takes on an entire male should only do so with plans to castrate, or to put them into a foster home which will supervise castration. A good charity should not be rehoming entire males without extremely unusual circumstances.
 
rafty said:
I have been looking at taking on a rescue pony as a companion for my pony (mare). I have been contacted about a shetland that has just been rescued and needs to be rehomed, however they think he is not castrated. This is my only problem, other than that I would like to take him on. He could also be ridden, which is a bonus. Again, not sure if he will be suitable however, as he would be ridden by my young children and being a stallion I am not sure that would be wise.

So really want to know some opinions of taking on an uncastrated shetland to live with my mare. Thanks
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Is this a reputable rescue charity?

I don't know many that wouldn't castrate themselves, or at least know 100%.

Or are you rescuing it?
 
I'm somewhat concerned that they "think" he is un castrated.
Don't they have enough knowledge to know. The evidence is pretty obvious.
 
PandorasJar said:
Is this a reputable rescue charity?

I don't know many that wouldn't castrate themselves, or at least know 100%.

Or are you rescuing it?
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It is through a rescue organisation. It is one that has been recommended. I have not managed to get through to them yet.
 
My nf is a stallion and has not long been backed and he is already an amazing lead rein pony. He looks after my children both on the ground and ridden, you wouldn't know he was a stallion. Even so I can not quite understand why he was left entire so he is booked to be gelded next week.
 
I had my 18 yo castrated in the field a month ago under GA, he is fine and has recovered well, infact he has calmed down a bit as well in this short a time, not so vocal.

All you need to ensure is they put a stitch in to stop the intestines falling theough the hole as it would be bigger than a 2 yo due to the age, but this also means less blood dripping and open for infection.
 
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