What do you do with your Mini Shetland??

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PercyMum

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After Murph died I ended up with my mini shetland as a companion - had no intention of buying him but saw a sad little ad, went to have a look and felt so sorry for the poor sod I bought him. He was living in a chicken coop, was infested with worms and lice and had been used as a breeding stallion but they were bringing in new stock so he was out. He was going to the sales in the next few days (I had checked the catalogue so I knew he was going). Anyway, a stupid dscision I know but we brought him home and he is just adorable and amazing! Now he has got a bit of weight on, some confidence back, been wormed, de-loused and given some tlc, he is just super! Lovely to handle and just a joy (sorry, gushing but I just so adore him!!).

Anyway, I am now wondering what to do with him. At the moment he just mooches around with the big boys keeping them in check and goes out for regular walks in the forest with me. He is very perky and loves going for a little trot and loves jumping. He seems so keen that I would like to give him a 'job' so he doesnt get bored but not sure what to actually do with him? Also, he is 18 and a stallion so not sure what would be appropriate? Have discussed gelding with the vet who thinks that given he is so well-behaved and because of his age, it would be an unnecessary risk.

It might be I can't do anything with him but carry on the way we are but thought I would ask in case anyone has some genius ideas! Thanks! :)
 
Show him? or if you can afford the kit drive him. You didn't say how big he is, could be be ridden lead rein by children, therefore minimising the risk of being a stallion with a child.
 
I had a Dartmoor Hill Pony years ago, I got her as a companion and she didn't get quite big enough for me to ride, I took her for long walks, taught her to give kisses, hugs, shake a paw, sit, lie down and fetch (among other things). She would also come out with the big horses on walks and carry a little passenger over jumps. She loved learning new tricks and getting cuddles and rewards, so that was her job.

I can totally empathise with the gushing, sometimes the little ones have such massive characters
 
I think he is about 7hh, maybe 8hh? He is proper tiddy. He is about the size of a very large Labrador, perhaps a smidge bigger. He is the most trustworthy animal I have ever met, let alone horse! Would be a perfect kiddies pony but I have no children and don't intend to! I thought about driving but think he is too small? I thought about showing too but I'd like to do something with him on a regular basis to keep his mind alert.
 
I know a 9hh mini shet that drives he loves it. He is not that broad either. As long as the driver is not too heavy and a lightweight harness then he should be fine.
 
Sounds like your little mini is a very lucky boy to have found such a lovely home. I have a mini whose primary job is to companion my older boy but not sure what else he could do either. Don't know anything about driving and no grandchildren on the horizon .lol ! Will be watching your post for suggestions! Easy to get gushy about, mine was so timid when he came to me and now he is so sweet and loving wish we had a little person for him ...
 
My mini is about 34/35 inches. He is adorable too. I long rein him because I want him to be as bombproof as possible for my son, but it turns out he actually loves long reining. Lots to see and do.
I'm doing a mini puissance with him this weekend. I cant wait! I wish there were more shows like this about. Although my mini can only manage 55/60cms and seemingly the jump can go up to 80/90cms :eek: it starts off small though and its all just a bit of fun anyway
 
Mine are maimly field ornaments but do get to go for a walk every now and then..
We have a local agility group ....perhaps something like that for fun. If you have a school you could set one up yourself.
My mini is too small really for a rider at just 28ins
 
Well done you for rescuing the little fella! My little man (he's entire like yours) is just soooo adorable and is so much fun with his independent way of keeping the big uns in order!!

He's now pretty much retired at 25 having suffered a couple of pretty bad leg injuries, but before those got in the way of too much activity I used to show him locally (with a few modest successes) and he was broken to drive as well. We love taking him for walks in hand - we both get fit together in the spring, tramping for miles round the village. It takes ages to get round - so many people always want to stop and say hello!!!

Although still a stallion he has a great temperament, and always behaves around the ladies, he'll never be used for breeding and I know you could say he should have been gelded, but we didn't want to lose his 'sparkle' and tbh because he is so sweet natured and we can keep him as nature intended with no probs I didn't really see the point. Also, I didn't get him until he was 5 and he was fully developed by then and with one rig on my hands already from a late castration I didn't fancy dealing with another unpredictable 'gelding'.

Good luck with your little chap, I hope you have as much fun with him as we have with ours.:D
 
Templebar said:
I know a 9hh mini shet that drives he loves it. He is not that broad either. As long as the driver is not too heavy and a lightweight harness then he should be fine.
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We drive our 38" Shetland. He has been known to pull substantial loads of hay, firewood etc, and up to 10 children on a little four wheel trolley. Do not underestimate how much these little guys love to work.
 
I have a mini shetty stallion too :D

He's a cheeky git, but I love him. Since he's young, I'm working on teaching him manners and also long lining and ride/lead :) Also bombproofing is fun!
 
My mini is almost 33" tall.

When I am not laughing at her antics :D I take her out on the lead - she loves yomping in the woods.
We long rein, lunge & every day that there is a T in the day, she gets a compulsory good groom .....
She takes her main role as 'carer' for a bigger fuzzy seriously & will keep company - or stay in a stable or paddock on own when required.
Her favourite game is hiding behind hedging in my winter paddock& then appearing by the fence when local horse riders are level with her - makes for exciting stressage movements outside on the lane (tho locals just:biggrin3: ) and woe betide anyone who trots past my yard when she is out close to the lane (usually winter) as circuit/getting fit training suddenly starts!
 
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I take mine on walks to the beach, just breaking them both to drive as well
 
You could make something to hitch him to to put the poos into, and then he could go round the fields with you and help with the poo picking.
 
awwww do you have any pics of him?

Defo don't get him cut! I have a 12yr old who was gelded 2yrs ago, before I got him! he used to be shown in hand. now he's really difficult to catch, they say he always was but he's really really difficult now! even with sedalin I still couldn't catch him! but he will come over and give kisses but wont be touched other than a quick stroke on the very bottom of his nose!

I'd love to be able to do more with him, wanted to get him driving but he's just so scared of life, bless his little heart! and even after all that I love him more than anything! he just has such a wonder personality! <3
 
The Palamino and white is a mini i believe at 33" the black mare is a standard at 40". Both bought at york horse sales a couple of months ago whilst scratching my nose. lol. Well that was the excuse to hubby anyway.
 
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