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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Rehome shetland two ponies

68 replies

Van34 · 14/06/2023 09:29

We moved rural 6 years ago, spent the last 5 years renovating the house so had no time for anything other than work. The house is now done and we are working on the landscaping now. It's got me thinking, I really want horses again.
We are fortunate enough to have a field the backs onto our garden that is owned by the neighbour. The neighbour has an old mare in there who needs a companion bur he is reluctant to commit to another pony due to his age. I jokingly offered to get a shetland to graze it for him and he's said I can have the grazing for free so long as I manage it (as any horse owner would). I would love a ridden horse but I need to wait until we have the grounds finished before I would have time for lovely hacks out.
I work from home and earn enough money to pay bills and support the horses. DH has never stroked a horse nevermind handled one, but he is a huge animal lover and while he is apprehensive he's not 100% against it
So here is my AIBU, the rescue have called and they have a pair of shetlands that need homing together... do I take them on?

OP posts:
Simplyfedup · 14/06/2023 12:14

What's the grass like? Can you restrict their grazing if you need to? Have you thought about worming, hoof care, dentist, vaccinations, insurance? Do you have a suitable area for them to have their hooves trimmed? :-)

peachescariad · 14/06/2023 12:14

Yes! photos please! I'm so JEL!

userxx · 14/06/2023 12:19

You've got to do it; the heavens are aligned.

Don’t overthink it, just go for it.

Prancingponies · 14/06/2023 12:23

I have two minis (one is half shetland, half falabella, the other is british miniature horse.)
They are utter trouble together, but so adorable that it's just viewed as one of their quirks. Be careful never to leave your electric off though, as as soon as it's off for more than I'm in there, they break out. Usually into the middle though as I have a track and use the middle section for winter grazing.

But yes, ask the questions as to why, what, what are they on now, any health concerns etc. Teeth, jabs, feet. All the usual. Pics for cutes.

Rehome shetland two ponies
Rehome shetland two ponies
Toddlerteaplease · 14/06/2023 12:36

Placemarking for an update

TeaDrinkerAnonymous · 14/06/2023 12:40

Do it, do it, do it 😂I love the little fuckers, used to look after a small herd of them when I was younger and have fond memories of all their shenanigans. If you have the time, space and funds, you should go for it.

SpeckledlyHen · 14/06/2023 12:43

My only worry with a shitland would be limiting their grazing due to laminitis but you have addressed that already. There are loads and loads of vet posts currently on various social media platforms addressing this is a stellar year grass wise for laminitis - so I would put them in a smallish corral to start with and really keep an eye on them. But yes, if you have the time/space/money I would say go for it.

123Squirrel · 14/06/2023 12:55

If your wanting to ride again in near future maybe better to look for riding horse from rescue that can just do some groundwork with for a while. Otherwise you'll definitely become attached to the 2 Shetlands by then and funds/time maybe stretched for 3. Though i did know someone who did carriage driving with their Shetland and take them out for walks for exercise.

TeaDrinkerAnonymous · 14/06/2023 13:01

If you are concerned about managing weight or lami in the ponies then have a look into the track grazing system. It's good for keeping them moving whilst grazing on smaller sections and restricting their intake. I used it on an old hairy cob to keep him moving.

CalistoNoSolo · 14/06/2023 13:02

Laminitis and sweetitch should be your main considerations. You can't just bung a couple of ponies onto a paddock because you want pasture ornaments, and expect them to getbon with it. Anything native is way more complex to manage on standard UK grazing than a bigger horse, and shelties partcularly so. You need to really look into this before you commit so you know you can manage with starvation paddocks etc. Shelties are renowned escape artists too, so your electric fencing needs to really pack a punch.

Hoppinggreen · 14/06/2023 13:06

CalistoNoSolo · 14/06/2023 13:02

Laminitis and sweetitch should be your main considerations. You can't just bung a couple of ponies onto a paddock because you want pasture ornaments, and expect them to getbon with it. Anything native is way more complex to manage on standard UK grazing than a bigger horse, and shelties partcularly so. You need to really look into this before you commit so you know you can manage with starvation paddocks etc. Shelties are renowned escape artists too, so your electric fencing needs to really pack a punch.

Have you actually read OPs posts?
Shes an experienced horse owner and knows the issues Shetlands could have. She’s not getting from pets4homes because they look cute

Original poster
Van34 · 14/06/2023 13:26

TeaDrinkerAnonymous · 14/06/2023 13:01

If you are concerned about managing weight or lami in the ponies then have a look into the track grazing system. It's good for keeping them moving whilst grazing on smaller sections and restricting their intake. I used it on an old hairy cob to keep him moving.

I have never used a track system. We used to strip graze. Slowly moving the fence onto fresh grass a couple of feet a day (and then moving the opposite fence the same distance in to allow the grazed area time to recover)
I have signed up to a talk on track grazing though as it looks interesting.
We live on a very quiet lane so no issues taking them for a walk in hand. Mum used to drive so it's something else I could look into for them.

OP posts:
Leonberger · 14/06/2023 13:31

I would only do it if I had enough land, money and time for 3 when I inevitably wanted a ridden pony.

If you have then go for it! I found 3 a good number as when one was ridden the other two were happy enough to be left…

Blueskysunflower · 14/06/2023 13:36

If you want a ridden horse when your landscaping is done (which is presumably a matter of months not several years), do you have the resources, financial and time and field space etc etc, for that and these two Shetlands?

FlamingoQueen · 14/06/2023 13:36

Get them!!

pickledandpuzzled · 14/06/2023 13:39

Just here for the photos...

Groutyonehereagain · 14/06/2023 13:45

A friend has two and they are supreme escape artists. Just something to bear in mind. 🐴❤️

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 14/06/2023 13:59

Hoppinggreen · 14/06/2023 10:00

Shetland ponies tend to be miniature psychopaths.
I would rather deal with a Shire Horse than one of those evil little feckers.
But yes, you should do it anyway

😂This is so true, Shetlands definitely have short horse syndrome. They are like the chihuahuas of the horse world.

Original poster
Van34 · 14/06/2023 14:41

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 14/06/2023 13:59

😂This is so true, Shetlands definitely have short horse syndrome. They are like the chihuahuas of the horse world.

Show quote history

I have a Jack Russell too. Glutton for punishment. He's 14 now and still a sod some days

OP posts:
JorisBonson · 14/06/2023 14:43

Yabu got not posting photos.

JorisBonson · 14/06/2023 14:43

*for

Fruitjellies · 14/06/2023 14:43

I'd go for it but unless his horse is on very limited grazing already they won't be great companions for his horse

JayAlfredPrufrock · 14/06/2023 14:45

Do it do it do it.

Although Shetland’s are the spawn of the devil.

Mollyplop999 · 14/06/2023 14:47

In the words of my equine dentist "shetlands, bastards ever one of them!" Do it!

Shelby2010 · 14/06/2023 14:49

Don’t know much about horses, but will you need a trial first to see if they get on with the old mare?