FAO Wally: Pony for the grandchildren

[Kerry's Partner]

IF ever I was in a position to do this - I would love one like the Shetland you describe Wally. BUT Dylan is quite a shy little lad of just 5 and Lauren is just 2. Neither come to see Kerry very often. They love it when they do. When we visited Craster a couple of years ago we stayed at Haggerston - and Dylan loved me to lead him around the caravan park on one of the Shetlands each day.

What do you think?

[Wally]

It's all the decision of the adults.

Shilling, our old, daft 18year old Shetland is a perfect gent......unless the adult leading him is not firm with him, if for one second he thinks he can get away with anything he will.

In the indoor school he is priceless, tiny tots can ride him off the lead rein and he'll potter round the track and trot the length of a couple of bays and then walk again. he is a very rare comodity, We do RDA with him too he will allow us to play catch with the child on his back with beanbags and squashy footballs and won't bat an eyelid. Netball and horse football too.

A tiny tot of 5 was learning to jump with him last week, (she's been riding him since she was 2) it was a bit like kiddy/pony tennis. Clare stood one side of the jump and sent shilling to Hannah who was the other side of the jump, Shilling popped over and ran to the lasses and if the child had lost her balance she was caught by either Clare or Hannah.

If you can get a kind, well balanced Shetland they can give kids a huge confidence boost as they are not too big, wide can be a problem with small legs. I wish they were all like Fivla, Shilling and Andy Pants.

If you are a confident horse handler you are 90% of the way to having a nice Shetland.

Don't beleive all you hear about them, I know some real stars, but only because they have had proper firm and responsible training.

[Kerry's Partner]

Thank you Wally. If I can ever manage to buy them one I'll make sure I visit the Shetlands first and get a bit of tuition from you. I have to admit I love Shetlands and also Kerry has taught me a lot about "equine personality" - how to bring it out, laugh with her and much more but also the need to nurture in her a respect for me too. The thought is just SO tempting.

[Peace]

I just had to put in a good word for Shetlands - the first horse I ever rode, when I was a year or two older than Dylan, was a little black Shetland mare.

My dad had some property out in the country, and the mare belonged to the neighbors. Their daughters had outgrown her, so I'd borrow her on the weekends. She'd taught most of the kids in the county to ride, and was so incredibly gentle I was allowed to ride her wherever I pleased, all through the woods and fields. She kept me absolutely safe and happy, and I'm sure she's the reason for my lifelong addiction to horses!

[Wally]

It is so important to laugh with your horse, but sharing a joke and having a bit of fun is only possible with mutual trust. Recognising the horse's sense of humour is so important, come down hard on a bit of fun and the horse will not think you are a fair boss.