Donkey or Shetland?

[Rykastar]

Shall i get a Donkey or Shetland to keep my horse company?

[lozhorseluva]

Shall i get a Donkey or Shetland to keep my horse company?

Shetland i think I've never had either or any horse for that matter but I think that shetlands make better company for yourself and your horse :) , Hope that helps

[Rykastar]

Thanx i've never had a horse either but hopefully getting one soon.Shetlands probs are better but donkeys are so sweet!

[Purple Hugs]

hehe IF it were me, I'd have a shetland, as I'm a bit of a Celt and also I have a 6 year old ;) And foster youngsters, so it'd come in handy for me! :p

Donkey's ARE sweet though and could also be riden by said children! :cool:

[sam_pring]

i would say a donkey because they dont mind being left on thier own as much as a shetland might!
both really sweet though :)

[roxycutie]

Both are wonderful companions for your horse. Shetlands tend to demand a little more up-keep, but donkeys can be independant when needed. :D I personally prefer a shetland myself but in the end you should decide. :)

[horsey1]

Well if I had the choice I would def get a donkey I love them ;)

[sarahbeth]

I'd say a shetland, so long as you are willing to give him a workout every day, or every other day. They get REALLY FAT if you don't :D
Donkies are okay....they have a great personality, and they're really sweet.
But I'm one of those tree huggers, so if I didn't have to get a shetland or a donkey, I would get a horse that was non rideable due to foot problems or something :) They're just as good companions, and you don't have to ride them or longe them, you just love them. :p

[sweuzo]

id get a donkey cause i just love them!!!! so cute!

[Skyhuntress]

donkey...or a llama. they make the best herd companions and guardiand like you wouldn't believe.
shetlands requie a bit more work, whereas donkeys are pretty independant and can fend for themselves

[Purple Hugs]

I'd say a shetland, so long as you are willing to give him a workout every day, or every other day. They get REALLY FAT if you don't :D
Donkies are okay....they have a great personality, and they're really sweet.
But I'm one of those tree huggers, so if I didn't have to get a shetland or a donkey, I would get a horse that was non rideable due to foot problems or something :) They're just as good companions, and you don't have to ride them or longe them, you just love them. :p
Good idea!
There is a website at the ILPH and other rescue organisations that will 'loan' you full time a horse that can't be ridden etc.
Just stated as for companionship. :)

[jinglejoys]

or you could get a mini mule :) There are quite a few of those looking for homes as everyone wants riding mules--probably a lot cheaper to get than a donkey.By the way if you ask the donkey sanctuary they will insist that donkeys go in pairs !

[Esther.D]

I'd say a shetland, so long as you are willing to give him a workout every day, or every other day. They get REALLY FAT if you don't :D


Really fat....and EVIL :p I have four, they are immaculately behaved and have better manners than a lot of horses...but they work hard as driving ponies and when not working live out in a big herd on the moors..so they stay sane and sensible. However on restricted grazing (necessary if you have grass as opposed to our grazing which is mostly heather so they have to work to find their dinner!) they will get bored/depressed and very NAUGHTY if not worked regularly.

[Pink's lady]

Do you have the facilities to keep a shetland? They need more secure fences and they MUST be in a starvation type paddock during the summer. If they're allowed on the type of grass you'd put a 'normal' horse on, they'll get laminitis. There's no point in having a shetland companion if he/she can't be kept in with your horse.

Also, shetland NEED work, they do not make good pet ponies. They are breed to work and become bulshy and difficult is they forced to do nothing.

I'd personally get either a donkey (although some horses don't get along with them) or a slightly bigger, less good-doing pony/horse. There many needing new horses that would suit the bill perfectly.

[horseygal90]

I thought donkeys needed other donkey companionship? So it wasn't a good idea to just get one?

[Wally]

Get a Shetland, but work it, take it as a hand horse.

[Big Ears]

you need to take into account the lifestyle and size of your horse and match accordingly.

if you have a 17hh tb that needs a lot of grass, then it is death to the donkey or shetland as they need very little to be fat, so it is a total miss match. donkeys are not hardy, their coats are not waterproof so they need rugging in winter, and they prefer the company of other donkeys. they pine if left alone. some donkeys are quite afraid of horses and some horses are terrified of donkeys.

you would be better to take a companion only from a rescue centre that is of similar size/needs similar handling to your own horse, as while donks and shetlands are cheap to keep, they have their own needs as well.

[Floob]

i know a miniature donkey whose best friend is a horse, none of the horses at the yard are scared of the donkey and they are all in one big happy field together

[Wally]

My old horse would take on a personality from HELL if he even thought a donk was in the area.

He would panic and I mean PANIC! if he saw one, normally a very kind reliable horse, he'd go over or through you to get away at 90MPH!

[raingodz]

One of my friends has a goat to keep their horse company! Its great, the goat eats all the nettles and thistles their horse won't touch and you get milk for free! But I'm not sure how many horses would consider a goat to be a good companion.

[Wally]

Horses do need horses, our goats take no notice of the horses and vice versa.