riding shetlands

[yvonnemiller]

could i ride my mini beast im 5ft 6 and 9 and a half stone im breaking to harness this year and wouldnt attempt riding him until he is 4, hes 3 in june and is 9hh 2 i would like to lighty hack him when hes older is there any other adults out there who ride shetlands youre veiws please

[ShariN]

What side of the pond are you?
I ask because it makes a big difference.

If he is a mini horse then I would have to say riding him at anytime is just going to hurt him.
So a resounding No.

If he is a larger UK Shetland,,,then maybe..depending on his build.
If he is a UK shetland... I would not even think about backing them until their plates close up..ones in their Knees and their backs...or any time after 5 years old.
People always want to rush and start horses and ponies too early.

My Grey Icelandic mare was started when she was 4 years old..while much bigger than a Shetland...she still was not ready for it. No,,did not own her at the time.
I would not have gotten all these issues if they had waited until she was at least a long 5 year old.

Also have 2 Miniature horses/Shetland ponies average 34" tall,, While mine are more sturdy than other mini's, I would never ride them.
Drive yes!

[lor]

I agree with you Sharin, i backed honey, my exmoor when she was 31/2, only for 10 mins per day and was very careful. I think it was because i had owned her since 6 months and was impatient. I knowledgable friend advised me of the knee thing and i kept an eye on when i could feel a slight gap, but she is now just 6, she doesnt have any apparent back probs, but when i feel and see how strong she is now compared to then i wish i had waited. She is still maturing now so still take it easyish. Still, have done it and hope she is always ok.
But re original question, i'd definatly wait til pony is more mature, and agree re type of shetland.
Wally will know the answer:)

[funkyfilly_sos]

Yes we need Wally to answer that question! ;) :)

I would make an inexperienced guess and say no, definitely dont begin to back your mini until he is fully mature.

Still..... Wally where are you?? :p:)
xxxKellyxxx

[Wally]

9.2hh is 38 inches, Not a mini. He's on the top edge of the midi range. (has to be under 34 inches to be a mini) The max imum a Shetland can be in the UK and be competeable and registerable is 42.

If he is of Island type, ie, strong, with good bone and well sprung ribs and a bottom you could bite, then he'll happily carry 9 stone! Whether you will be able to take the ridicule and critisism from other horse riders is up to you! ;) :D

I would train him to drive and work him lightly first, then train him to be ridden once he has filled out and muscled up. It'll be easier for him if he's fit and strong.

A lot of our Shetlands go through 2 ugly stages. One at a year to 18 months, they look better for a while then at 4 they seem to go stringy and lanky again and then suddenly fill out and become brick outhouses. Our little stallion is a slow maturer, last year he looked good at 4, but this year, at 5, he's looking even better, really growing into himself and filling out.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f177/sprimble/_MG_0264.jpg

Here's a friend of ours, a Swedish journalist, riding Andrew, he's 41 and a bit inches, she is about 5 foot 2 and about 9 stone at the most at a guess!

[yvonnemiller]

thankyou for all your advice, i think i will concentrate on breaking him to harness, and forget about the riding ! thankyou for all your advice.

[ShariN]

Wally, mini's over here are 38" and under. Through the AMHR...which I prefer over AMHA.
And much more refined than the UK Shetlands of the same size.
Hence the questions.:D