Why do you love your shetland?

P

Patchworkpony

Well-Known Member
Joined
24 July 2012
Messages
1,536
Visit site
We are planning to get a Shetland next spring - have booked the one I want (lovely little black person) but we have to build our stables first. So who really loves their Shetland or indeed Shetlands? Or do you hate them? We had one years ago who was naughty but adorable and OH has always wanted another one. Would like to know current views on Shetlands - good and bad. Pics would be SO lovely to see. Also what can adults do with them to stop them getting bored etc.?
 
I adore my two shetland girls. They have temperaments to die for and really are nothing like the typical shetland stereotype! They are very friendly and love to be groomed and fussed over, they seem to really enjoy my company in general and will often fall asleep next to me if I sit next to them and stroke their muzzles...awww!

Apart from managing their waist lines they couldn't be easier to keep. They have their feet trimmed every 8-10 weeks and that is pretty much it! They live out naked 24/7, however I have just invested in a rug each from them - solely to be used this winter if there are some really cold wet and windy days. Last year they survived fine without but I think they would've been happier with a coat on on the really horrific days. Or maybe it's just me who thinks they would be happier....they probably couldn't give two hoots!

Anyway I'm starting to blab but you can probably tell I really really really LOVE my girls :)
 
I love mine! Completely goes against the stereotype, and is sweet, kind, and very people orientated. Loves people, and always comes rushing over to be stroked.

Has a shelter but rarely uses it, an is a dream with the farrier (just turned 3), just the most amazing pone ever, really, always makes you smile! And sooo beautiful!
 
Thank you, I do have to agree with you hehe :D yep they are my only equines, I do ride but it is a friends horse on a yard a few miles away. The Shetlands I keep on our own land behind our house which is perfect. At the minute I don't do anything with them as they are just yearlings but when they mature I would like to learn to drive. I'd like to take them to shows now but I don't have any transport for them short of putting them in the back of our people carrier so for now they are just adorable field ornaments :)
 
After having one of mine clipped today I sometimes wonder! ;) lol. I have 3 - 2 are rescues with various issues, so just field ornaments, but they really are the sweetest cheekiest little characters - they have everyone twisted round their little hooves! ;) The other one I drive - having never driven before we've both sort of taught each other - while he can be a proper stroppy, opinionated (but still adorable) little pig at times, he's been so patient and keen to learn, and willing to please :) I just absolutely adore all of them, they're wonderful characters, easy to look after and I think now I've had them I always will! :) if I work out how to upload pics I will....
 
I used to have one. He could be a right little devil and wasn't suitable as a child's pony but I was 15 and we got in great. I loved the cheeky look in his eye and his sticking up mane. I used to ride him.
 
Just as our children get cocky, thinking they can ride perfectly because they can get JB the elderly dartmoor to do anything they want, we put them on Bruin (38" Shetland), and they realise how much they have to learn...

He's not straightforward, but small enough that his antics don't intimidate them (after the first couple of minutes). He can also be driven by the children, with a child groom - they can hold him, even if he's being awkward - which gives them a real responsibility. They learn so much from that pony!
 
You can do loads with them - driving is an obvious one, but even taking them out for walks (mine loves his 'hacks' lol), or they're great at agility! Mine are pretty good at amusing themselves - they have a few branches, drainpipes & things in their field so don't get that bored :) oh and racing each other round in circles - always hilarious to watch! ;)
 
My 33" Tiny Fuzzy is a happy loveable soul, so gentle & kind to young & old, a bossy boots in the field to her bigger friends.
Hates wearing a muzzle, tho runs (and I mean runs) to the gate if I appear as may mean muzzle removal for a twice daily slither of apple & a kiss.
Loves going walkies, pref with human than off a bigger Fuzzy.
Puts up with lots when friends kids come over to yard, has had footballs kicked against her, been used as a motorbike for racing round yard.... (complete with very noisy verbal 'brmms' )

Only low point: escapes under/through ANY electric fencing (4 strands) if a paddock is divided up (tho fine with electric as boundary against a 'proper' fence)

Summing up: a delightful addition to the yard, everyone should have one :)

edited to add: feet get done every other time (12 weeks) as I pop a rasp round in between, is SO clean in a stable (but has a 10 x 12) and eats next to nothing as is a very good do-er :)
 
Last edited:
My lot are awesome little toads! They take it in turns as to which ones will be caught everyday and no 2 days so I get the same ones which makes backing them interesting lol! No to be fair they are great, escape artists but clever little devils.

Can't live with them, cant live without them!
 
I have three shetland x fallabella and they are absolute stars. I adore them. They are full of character and I think they think they are dogs. I take them for walks with my dogs which they love. My intention is to drive with the two year old as she has such a solid character and is completely unfazed by anything. She is truly bomb proof. Would never be without a miniature again. I have had horses for nearly 30 years and have never wanted or even thought of keeping miniatures until I fell in love with my two year old when she was 3 months old and had to have her. So bought her and her mum and last year went back to breeder to get another one. They are like chocolates, you can't have just one!!
 
Because he's SO cute!!!

No, he's a very sweet pony. He can be a little devil, but I would never say he's a danger or anything more than a bit of a pain. He's good for the farrier and such a fast learner! He loves people and is so good with kids! When he's a bit older, I hope I can get a little jockey to come and break him :D

P1140884_zps7154f446.jpg
 
We have 3 in our herd. went to buy 1, came back with 3!
they are minatures, mares and simply wonderful characters. the eldest has been riden by my neice this summer. never been ridden until this year. competed at three shows, only prize was in the fancy dress, as a clydesdale! but she is super cool and really quiet. broke her to drive last winter. the 4 year old is just starting to drive also, she is sparky and will be fun and fast. the 3 year old is just a cuddly sweety. never any trouble and hopefully will make a pair with one of the others in the future.

These three reignited my love of horses and we now have our own "yard" on the farm with 6 horses and a donkey. just finished building another 2 stables and a new tack room....... room for more!
 
Because although she can be a miserable little begger shes fab fun to have around the place, she's an old lady and just gets away with anything she likes!!! She has quite a fan club, she is teeny tin but her character is bigger than any horse I know!!!

She babysits all the big ponies
littleandbig_zps67d10d2a.jpg


She squeezes into a stable so saves on space
twosome.jpg


She terrorises the dog....
cherry-1.jpg


She likes a little play!
jump-1.jpg


Get a Shetland you won't regret it!!!! :)
 
you just cant help but love them! my boy is a ******! I cant catch him, hes scared of life, even other horses but he tries t very hard to be brave! he will give me one kiss a day and will sniff my face, all from a distance!

today we have had a break through, the horses need to go through a ditch to get to their shelter and today he made the desent into the ditch and out the other side to finally find the shelter, its only taken a month! once he'd done it he came out and then ran back in again!

I just cant help but love his little face!





 
Never owned one myself unfortunately but my friend has had two - the first was a little grey LEGEND called Jiminy Cricket. Just the most gorgeous, cheeky, fun, fab ponio. Taught countless children how to ride, including my little sister. Jimmy was the smallest in a herd of 6 and used to have endless fun nipping the others underneath their rugs at feeding time in the winter. She now has another little coloured Shettie called Annie who is just the sweetest, cuddliest, fluffiest little thing, taught both her kids to ride. When her little girl gets a telling off she goes into Annie's stable and they both stand sulking with their heads in the corner of the box - true love! :)
 
I have 4, mum, her son and daughter and a cousin, they all live as a herd and are constantly up to mischief. Mummy has learned to limbo to escape to greener grass, hilarious to watch. She has been a brood mare all her life, never broken , but happily toddles round with a child on her back and puts up with any amount of fussing. Son is broken to drive and daughter is a total prima donna, is broken to ride but prefers going on 2 legs than 4 which is a bit dodgy for kids on her back. They share a large open barn at night o save them turning into total chunks, and manage to trash it nightly. Cost nothing to keep, self trim their feet on the concrete barn floor, need a rasp every 6 months or so.
Worst part of them is trying to get their coats out in the spring, they turn into yetis every winter, and had to be clipped this spring to get rid of it. That put a strain on my back i can tell you and blunted the clipper blades rather quickly
 
Everyone should have a mini shetland !! ( or Shitlands as they have been called a few times) I would not be without my 2. They bring so much joy. I do the odd fete,school show and last year we went to an elderly persons hospital. It was so emotional !! My one boy can be very cheeky but a lady wheeled up her frail father in a wheelchair and he went straight to him and put his head on the gentleman's knee.He rested his hand on his head and closed his eyes . It was wonderful.We were all sobbing ! They bought so much joy that day.
They bring me joy every day,make me smile, are loving and funny and are the most amazing companion if you have a sick horse.
Even when I finally hang up my riding boots I will always have my shetlands.
GO FOR IT !!!!
 
I'll tell you if I love mine if I ever get to catch her! She is a rescue of unknown age and history, and despite longing for human contact she just can't bring herself to make the connection. She follows me round the field, listening to me as I chat to her, and I sometimes just sit in the grass and talk to her. She has taken a carrot from my hand once, but then legged it, worrying that I was going to catch her. The poor girl is really frightened of humans, but we will get there, eventually.

I have had better socialised and brave Shetlands in the past, including stallions, and all were just a joy to have around. Friendly, cheeky, and completely lovable. I love them, OH can't stand them however, after one we had who was an escape artist who would then decide he didn't want to be caught, resulting in OH rugby tackling the little darling on more than one occasion :D
 
They're not mine. They belong to one of my liveries and are on adoption from Horseworld (Bristol). I only said I'd have them to help the livery out, thinking with a sinking heart "why did I say that?" Now I wouldn't be without them. They are tiny (8.5hh), feisty, cheeky, opportunistic, clever, wonderful company for the big horses, who adore them, up for anything - and can gallop like the wind. I never realised just HOW fast Shelties can be. The steeplechaser is deeply in love with the smaller one, who is his identical twin in colour. The holiday makers at the cottage think they're mare and foal. Another holidaymaker watched them grazing on the skyline and said "I love all your horses - and look, two of them are lying down". "No, that's the Shelties - they don't have legs!!"
 
I started with one as a companion for an older horse but realised he actually preferred the company of other shetlands, he squealed and went crazy when I bought home another one his size so I think best to have at least two of them! I have four now . . .

All four show inhand and the oldest is slowly being broken to be driven, only slowly as I lack time and facilities. They all go for walks a couple of times a week, they have visited the local puppy school for education and my eldest quite happily climbed aboard a bus so a disabled child could stroke him.

I work long hours so they are perfectly low maintenance but still fun to have around
 
Patchworkpony you've seen my boy Tigger before - the bay and white driven pony - and you've seen how much he enjoys being driven!

Throughout summer he is shown in hand, he hates the travelling as he gets nervous however once his hooves hit the showground he performs his socks off, a real showman 99% of the time. He's driven a little throughout summer but we mostly drive as it gets colder.

However unfortunately we had a nasty accident two weeks ago where he blind bolted (completely out of character) and my cart is no longer driveable - snapped shaft etc! So he is off work for the foreseeable future :(

You will love your little person, they're a whole different ball game but the best!
 
Mynyddcymro I am SO sorry that you had a driving accident - they can be REALLY scary, more so than a riding accident. I have been bolted with in harness - not my pony luckily and that animal destroyed the cart too. I do hope you are both OK and not injured in any way.
 
I did think about getting one when I needed a companion but my OH can't stand them. He says they are all evil and make a horrible noise. Can't say I can prove him wrong as every one I've met has made the horrid noise and most are naughty in some way or another. So Highland pony was as small as I could go. Mind you he feels the same about small dogs! Don't worry FuzzyFurry he is out of the country next week when your little fuzzy is coming to visit ;0)
 
I've probably said this before on here but no yard is complete without a resident Shettie :D I have a 6yo mini. I show her in hand in the summer. At home she just goes for little hacks in hand and we also do little showjumping courses in hand, she tows me round those :D She lives on fresh air and not much else. The one negative is she, like many Shetties, can escape through any type of fencing known to humankind. If she really wants out and she can't get over/under/through the fence she just teleports out. Her best friend (partner in crime) is my 3yo gelding. He's only 10.3hh and they charge round the field like racehorses :D She is also teaching him how to climb through the elec fence when it's on...
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top