Where to "rescue" a shetland companion?

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Tonker121

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I'm thinking of moving my retired horse to a field next door to me next Spring, and want to get a Shetland or similar to keep him company. I have a tendency (with all animals) to buy anything that looks in need of help, the worse it looks the more likely it is to come home with me. I know I can go to a rescue centre and I will if I dont find anything myself but wondered if anyone had any experience of websites or sales that had cheapy ponies?

I've looked online at dragon driving and think this is a good start ... I know I am sterotyping but I cant help but think a pony thats advertised at under £100 probably isnt going to end up at the best home and I know I can give it a great life.

Do you think I look online? Or do I approach people directly (the types that have the 50+ horses on scrub land you see next to motorways)? Or when the time comes for actually getting one do I keep an eye out on here/on facebook for those stories you hear of "30 horses need a new home by X or pts"?
 
What breed is your retired horse? Good/poor doer?

Often shetlands aren't great companions. They're very good doers and often I've found the rescue lot to have had laminitus already.
 
You've just missed most of the Shetland sales where you could have picked up a foal for £35-50.

What area are you in as I think Reading Sale is yet to happen?

Also I know a lot of SHetland breeders that are cutting down and rather than just leaving their ponies in a field a fair few of them are looking for companion homes for their broodmares - could be anywhere from 8-18 years old. It gives them a second chance of a useful life rather than just breeding more and more ponies.
 
Good doer!!! Lives off air in from March - October so want something that can live out 24/7 with him in summer on restricted grazing . My retired one is not that old (17) and only retired due to tendon issues so wont be needing additional feed any time soon.

I've just seen the post on here about the dartmoor scrub ponies and wish I could help now so tbh I think thats what i'll do nearer the time.
 
No not too old. Thats the type of thing I mean - who could do that?? Mine is 17 and might well be suitable for light hacking again but he has given me a great 12 years and I feel he is too old to be shipped off somewhere else! I cant get anything until the spring as the field I want wont be available until then and am in a livery at the mo. I can see me putting out a similar request nearer the time and ending up bringing home 10 companions - must show some restraint!
 
There's a section a in fab condition and only a youngster as well advertised for £90 for a good few months local to me .. Little ponies unfortunately always need a home :(
 
.. (pressed reply before I was finished! :p)

A rescue won't be cheap or easy, worming, hooves, teeth and general health will all need checking/sorting as well as getting it used to people. So definatly consider one from a normal home :)
 
A few years ago I tried to get a rescue and it was for me a waste of time. I got inspected by the wonder ful Ada Cole who were being taken over. I then travelled 3.5hours to Norfolk horse rescue (cant remember what its called now)and stipulated I just needed good on road and farrier thats all(I have to just cross a main road for farrier). Well of course get there and tons of ponies (long feet yes) and nothing suitable re road. The place is in middle of nowhere. I think if I didnt need the road bit they had plenty available. The pony they showed me was nice but they had no idea re traffic and this place is in middle of a field..not near main roads or busy road.

Hence thats why I was looking at Dartmoor mongrels as I ended up spending £600 for a companion(who was a right little sod at times). Dartmoor £50 incl microchip etc(its on the site). I will probably still do that option or go to meat market to bring some helpless soul back. Training will be my own doing then. I started looking on preloved too, they do crop up but not often.
 
Any of the good big equine charities would be really happy for you to take a small pony from them, and that means a) you aren't providing a false market for the people who sell them for a few quid (and therefore not encouraging supply to continue), the rehab work will have been done and you free up a much needed space and money for the charity to take in another needy neddie :)
 
EKW said:
Also I know a lot of SHetland breeders that are cutting down and rather than just leaving their ponies in a field a fair few of them are looking for companion homes for their broodmares - could be anywhere from 8-18 years old. It gives them a second chance of a useful life rather than just breeding more and more ponies.
Click to expand...

This ^

This is exactly how I got Tiny Fuzzy - who is an absolute poppet.
Easy to catch, can now stable if required, was good to back/long rein & lunge when I started her off & good with farrier - and very good at hoovering everything she can in front of her :D
All she cost was the transport to arrive with me & later the transfer as i have been given her now :)
She wears a muzzle at least in daytime, sometimes 24/7 (off twice a day for a few mins for good old brushing etc) & is a very good do-er.

Good luck - I'd rather have something with known history that needs a home than an unknown quantity you need to learn about :)
 
try ' Laurel equestrian' in Burland cheshire. I was there a couple of weeks ago, and they had inherited 2 shetlands which need to go to good homes
 
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