Shetland

[jenmac_85]

Looking at getting a Shetland pony for my mother. This isnt a surprise gift, as she is extremely interested, but having read thorugh many articles, wondered what peoples personal experience of the breed has been.

Jenny and Tyler
x

[varkie]

Well, we breed them, so obviously we're big fans! :D

Lovely ponies, kind of like small 4x4s - go anywhere, do anything. Great for riding, driving, showing. Fabulous temperament, but can be cheeky & very bright - real characters. Will test your fencing, so it better be good! They do however benefit from work - all too often they just sit in a field & do nothing, and I personally think that is where it goes wrong, as they get mentally idle, and start looking for trouble. If you bear in mind that a shetland thinks it is about 16hh tall, and handle it as such, not as a small cutsie pony or a big dog, then you won't go far wrong.

[jenmac_85]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.


I was thinking of looking into showing, just to get my mum started. Then build up to driving if she is interested. Someone recommended clicker training?

Jenny and Tyler
x

[Nik-n-Kia]

Hey hun!!!!

Let me know if this is defo or not as I will have to redo one of my fences if it is not as you know that one of my fields doesnt have a gate as such!!!!

The last mini at the fam was a monster for going through fences if she thought that she could but you could do anything with her!!!!

Nikki xxxxx

[jenmac_85]

Its almost certain now Nikki. I have tried the 'put you off' advice, but its not working so she is convinced now :S

Don't you just love having me round lol.

As long as your yard is definately OK with having one up at the yard then I will come up and help you with the fences if you want.

Have phoned someone in Bathgate who has two for sale and might be going to view them today or tomorrow. Give me a phone if you get the chance. Just think, you coudl still end up with the giant grey beastie about!!!!

I will need to grow an extra couple of arms to deal with this :S

Jenny and Tyler
x

[Wally]

Treat them as you would a big horse.....but remember they have far more brain and cheek.

[Nik-n-Kia]

I agree with the brains and cheek wally!!!;)

Lovely little things tho!!!

Nikki xxxx

[marsden]

haha totally agree with Wally! We had a Welsh Sec A x Shetland at our old yard and man he had the personality of a shire! Plus the nip of one!
Great little things though, Nookster and i keep saying we'll get one one day haha :D

[jenmac_85]

Ok, the great pony hunt begins. Going to view two in Bathgate hopefully on Sunday. My mum is terrified at having to pick one, but she has been warned. Have to collect all the equipment as well.


It has to have its own grooming kit ( now I know how bad I sounded when first getting Tyler!!!)

Anyone know of Shetland breeders in Scotland? Contacted someone in the Isle of Mull who breeds them and have heard of someone in Carluke who breeds them.

Anyone else?

Jenny and Tyler
x

[Wally]

We are in Shetland, so a bit far from you.

[Janekiln]

There are several shetland breeders in cumbria and southwest scotland, and a few in abeerdeen.
Contact the shetland pony socitey ;)

[Nookster]

Fab news ! let us know how you get on

[Esther.D]

Go through the breed society - there are loads in Scotland.

Clothie ponies are lovely as are Hazelhead, both near Aberdeen.

Depends what type she wants. If looking for showing it is best to see a lot of ponies (even if it just means looking online and through the SPBS yearbook at the stud adverts) and see which type she is after as they come in many different varieties! As well as minis and standards there are loads of variations, chunky ponies, light ponies, fine heads, heavier heads, ride/drive types, show types etc etc. If she sees a few and gets an idea of what she likes that is the best thing.

I have been there - my mum did this about 17 years ago....then I got hooked and I not only have 3 ponies now (had 4 until I lost my eldest at 26 last year) who I drive but I also ended up living on Shetland!

One day I will be out and about Shetland shopping again......my youngest is now 10 so I think in the next year or so I will be youngster shopping...

[goeslikestink]

shetlands are great little ponies even the small x ones with welsh a

i had abigger type shetand of 10.2hh could ride and drive i rescued himas he was dumped in a field for over two years had lamnitus but once that was sorted turned out to be a great guy wasnt broken to ride when i got him
at 15yrs old lived till he was 34yrs
and was a super duper pony - did win all the localp/c events and local show jumps for lead rein and 1st ridden also entered him in dressage test with duaghter when she was 1st ridden- and he won i will never forget him being the smallest compeditor against 16.2hh and he won

they are natives so do find food where other horses dont like under a bush under the fence around a post what ever they dont need grain aslong as they have hay and good quality hay and grass they happy
becuase ted was a ride and drive did have hi in a volcanite kimblewick
ashe could be a tad strong for the kids and the kimblewick is a nice bit to go upwards to for that perpose

[AengusOg]

Hi jenmac 85

If you're looking for good show type, you would do well to try Angus Howie at Millhouse, Dunning, near Auchterarder, Perthshire. His are all blacks and very nice ponies. Angus' father bred and showed for years before he died and young Angus has carried on. Millhouse Shetland Ponies.

Also Wells bloodlines seem to be regarded as good type.

I suppose it depends on whether you wish to show, or just want a wee working pony.

I started a miniature shetland pony for driving last year, for a client....she is a lovely driving pony, but too small really for anything other than very light pleasure driving, and private driving classes at shows. The miniatures are not really suited to 'work' in the real sense.

A friend of mine has several driving equines, but he does most of his work (up and down to the local shop/pub, carting feed, and just generally getting about, with his standard shetland pony to a little four wheeled float. Great fun.

Good luck with your search.

[Wally]

We have a lot of Millhouse horses.

Lovely temperaments, well made and do well at shows. The stallion is an utter sweetie.

[Samantha1980]

There is also Tyrie Shetland pony stud North of Aberdeen.

[Jadesy]

Hi there,

I own a herd of shetlands in the Aberdeen area, most of which I've bred myself (although don't have my own stallion). So I now have a collection of mares and geldings. The mares produce gorgeous foals and some of the ponies have been shown in-hand in the past. Unfortunately I've moved to Edinburgh and can't give them the time or attention that they deserve any more so am looking to reduce the number that I have to make it easier for the people looking after them when I'm not there.

They are all registered shetlands with the shetland pony stud book society and have pony passports. One set have Clothie bloodlines and the others came down from shetland directly to us. The colours are varied, blue roan, black, strawberry roan, piebald, skewbald, blue roan skewbald. They are all 'standard' shetlands, so are pretty robust and would be easily trained for riding/driving. They are great little characters. Regularly wormed and the farrier comes to trim hooves.

I only want them to go to knowledgable, kind homes and since they have been running as a herd, I think it would be important for them to have constant company - ie, other horses or humans around.

If you were interested you could get in touch with me via private messages on here and then we could arrange for you to see which one you liked. I have some pics I can send you too.

cheers
Sarah

[Nookster]

Hi Sarah

Think Jenmac has found a wee shetland called hamish now.

[Jadesy]

oh thats good, but a pity for mine! it sounded like it would be a good, kind home.

If anyone else hears of someone looking for a shetland, or a companion pony, feel free to send them in my direction

jadesy@talk21.com

thanks
sarah

[Nookster]

oh thats good, but a pity for mine! it sounded like it would be a good, kind home.

If anyone else hears of someone looking for a shetland, or a companion pony, feel free to send them in my direction

jadesy@talk21.com

thanks
sarah

sent you a pm sarah ;)