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Post by irishcob on Dec 7, 2010 10:57:30 GMT 1
Over the years I've been offered various 'free' horses and ponies, and have always said no. I'm perfectly happy with my herd of 2 big boys, and have absolutely no need or wish for a third. And so to yesterday when a friend rings me up saying there is a shetland that is going to be shot unless it can find a home... It just so happens I have met this little Shetland before and so it is much harder to steel my heart. Just to add to it's charms, the little mare bucks and kicks and is an escape artist! Now I don't have children so don't really care about the bucking, and hopefully should be able to do some work on the handling to improve her manners. But tell me, having never owned a Shetland, what are the pros and cons?! I suppose at least the poos are small for poo picking?! I just can't let a healthly animal be put down because it's homeless, but just need to be sure what I'm letting myself in for Anyone have Shetties who can share their experiences?
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companymagic
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Post by companymagic on Dec 7, 2010 11:08:22 GMT 1
Aww I love Shetlands...
I know how you feel I am offered free horses all the time and now I am back down to just two ponies I don't want or have time or money for anymore.
I don't know much about shetlands but having a few natives I think my tips would be don't be fooled by the small size. They have a good brain on them and need lot's of entertaining to keep them well and happy.
Good luck with her I hope it all works out well for you both...
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Post by wabuska on Dec 7, 2010 11:16:46 GMT 1
Not a fan. They are devils for getting out and I don't like ornamental horses... alright I have one, but I don't go looking for them. We had them over the years when I was growing up and they were just THERE or getting out, or just THERE. Hard to turn away though if it's going to be PTS. That word 'shot' is so emotive. I'm sure there's a home somewhere for the little fella.
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izzy
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Post by izzy on Dec 7, 2010 11:22:02 GMT 1
I have one mini (did have 2) and the main problem over the years has been keeping them in especially when you have to restrict their food in the summer.I have seen them climb through the post and rail fencing, charge and duck under electric using their mane to counter act electric shock and even go on their knees to get under a sliding rail!!In my experience they have huge personalitys and are great to own if i had the land ,time and money i would have a small herd of them :-)
The orange electric wire has worked very well for me this year i have two strands first one 1ft of the ground and second about 2ft of the ground with non electrified white tape along the top for the big ponies to see .
Good luck and look forward to pics if you decide to have him/her
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Post by cookie on Dec 7, 2010 11:25:37 GMT 1
There was a miniture in a box next to my boy. Badly handled early on and consequently tricky to do much with without getting bitten or kicked. 12 months of proper handling made a huge difference, but as has been said here before, handling as you would a proper horse, not a spoilt dog The thing that I could see would be difficult as a companion is getting the feed / grazing right if it's to be turned out with a larger horse. Thing is in terms of vets bills, trimmer etc you don't seem to get any discount, so can cost as much as something you could ride. But if you have your own place then they don't take up much room
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Post by anastasia55555 on Dec 7, 2010 11:30:21 GMT 1
Reinforced fencing is a must i should think, dieting over spring summer i should think. And dont under estimate the power, they are shires in tiny bodies lol! if your prepared to work on behaviour like you have said rather than let it get worse and cant make sure fencing etc is low enough to the ground i expect she would make a nice companion for your other two, prob run circles round them tho lol!
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Post by jen1 on Dec 7, 2010 11:37:22 GMT 1
also they are hard to keep the weight off them, they sometimes end up in tiny paddocks ,not unless your bigger horses would eat off the grass ,
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izzy
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Post by izzy on Dec 7, 2010 11:38:02 GMT 1
Cookie- i 4got to mention that a trim is still the same price as an average horse this does wind me up especially when they only take a slither off them sometimes and 2 feet are the size of one horse foot .
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Post by mandal on Dec 7, 2010 11:51:00 GMT 1
I love em and have 3. ;D ;D I don't find they're escape artists and feeding is just a case of managing them like any other good doer imo.
I have no cons except Farriers complain about their size. Mine mix with my big horses all winter with no problems. None of my horses are shod btw. Every visitor here says... 'oh they bite and kick and are nasty little things'. None of mine bite or kick and they are sweet natured and very intelligent and biddable. I believe if they are treated as horses they are a delight. Any nastyness is human taught imo just like any horse.
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Suz
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Post by Suz on Dec 7, 2010 12:00:51 GMT 1
My mum has 5 minis and a standard and although I teased her at 1st they are really lovely. Handling is v important as so many get treated like big dogs and are little tykes as a result but so long as you treat them like a big horse its fine. Mum's never escape but she has 3 rails on her fencing the 3rd being about 6" off the floor. Weight management is a problem if you don't work them and Mum's are all yarded over night with not a lot of hay which seems to help. But they are all getting better at being led out when we ride- she has so many different colours we are trying to start a new trend- matching mini with your riding horse!!! ;D Cost very little to feed as 1 tub of equibites lasts ages if you are only feeding 2 a day per pony, trims and vaccinations do cost the same but hey oh and you never need buy a rug!
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varkie
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Post by varkie on Dec 7, 2010 12:04:41 GMT 1
We have more than 20 of them at the moment, with some due to arrive back, following changes in owners circumstances - we are supposed to be cutting down!
And I love them! They are brilliant ponies. Bold, brave, kind, genuine, intelligent, calm. But they are 16hh heavy horses in a small pony body - they have no idea they are so small. Treat a shetland like it is 16hh horse, and you won't go far wrong. They are alleged to be the strongest breed, so don't let the small size fool you, a shetland with less than ideal handling which sets itself against you can be very strong indeed, and you may struggle to hold it!
The only bad shetland is one that has been badly treated or inappropriately handled by someone. Treated with too much 'kindness' or like a dog or a pet, and they will take advantage.
My four year old daughter can handle our stallion or our two year old colt, or pretty much any of our ponies - the only exceptions being a couple that came in to us unhandled. Then, it's more for their sake I don't let her handle them - they would never hurt her deliberately, but she may move a little too quickly for them. I happily take our daughter in the field with the ponies loose, knowing no harm will come to her.
Their running costs are low - wormer, feed, hay - costs a lot less. Trimming/shoeing, vaccinations will all cost the same as for any size horse. They are no more prone to laminitis / obesity than any other native, but obviously will need restriction on grass when it's growing, as is only sensible with virtually any native.
Fencing does need to be good. Shetlands are very intelligent, and if there is a way they can go through, and there is something they want on the other side, then they will go through - if they can, they don't see why they shouldn't. And to some extent, nor do I. Why should they understand they shouldn't go through fencing if we don't make it shetland proof? You do get some who once they learn that fencing can be gone through, begin to see it less as a deterent and more like a challenge. The best thing would be never to give them that chance!
Shetlands should definitely NEVER be ornaments. A bored shetland is a creative shetland. And a creative shetland is just trouble looking for a place to happen. They are too intelligent not to be doing something. So they are best in work of some sort - be in ridden, driven, inhand walking/training - but something.
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Post by mandal on Dec 7, 2010 12:10:59 GMT 1
On the fencing side you wouldn't use a low rail for a big horse and expect it to stay in would you? Electric etc. has to have two strands at least one high, for the big horses and one at mini nose height otherwise yes they will duck under just like a big horse will step over a low fence. ;D Mta... oh and when I first got mine and stabled them one mare got very upset. I soon realized she didn't like not being able to see out so I fixed a small wood gate instead of a stable door and she was fine. They don't get stabled now but something to be aware of as big horses can look out over the door.
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Post by julz on Dec 7, 2010 12:18:50 GMT 1
There are two that live with Jay.. one is prone to laminitis the other isnt.. Contrary to popular belief these two are charming have manners and have never gave me any trouble. They can be lovely, like any horse can.. so long as you have an understanding of each other, i dont see why this one shouldnt be a nice pony for someone.. Even if you dont have a jockey for her, could you find someone (after you've worked on her..) Like Varkie says, they are clever... so pony should respond to handling and manners and become less..er.. destructive for want of a better word..
I recently started lunging H and boy what an atitude he has, but after he realised i wasnt giving in, he went on to do nice work...lol. He also was rideen by a 5yr old for the first time in about 2yrs this summer, and was so well behaved.. They are so lovely i wish more shets could be like them.
Pros
They can live on fresh air they are hardy dont need rugged dont need to be shod
Cons
could be hard to handle have minds of thier own can be mini fruitcakes when you least expect it
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Post by HolsBols on Dec 7, 2010 12:40:30 GMT 1
Shetlands and minis are ACE at indoor driving trials!!! and they are loads of fun!!!
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Suz
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Post by Suz on Dec 7, 2010 13:04:12 GMT 1
My Mum has mini doors too guess you could fit a mini door and a top slip rail so you could have minis or normals in there.
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