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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

What should I do about my Shetland?

30 replies

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 11/01/2011 22:39

I have a shettie, who is currently out of work. Having had laminitis this autumn, she needs to be exercised. I don't like useable animals sitting around, she is bored, and feel that she ought to go out on loan. The trouble is, if she goes, my pregnant A will be alone. She's not due till may, and LO needs using in the spring. Ive thought of getting a sheep, or trying to short term loan an old Shetland, but I'd only need it for a few months. Should I leave the A alone?

OP posts:

ManateeEquineOhara · 12/01/2011 07:55

Why is she out of work? Could you find someone who can loan the shetland but to stay where she is?
Could you find a small person to ride her? They don't really have to even be THAT small - I know some quite big people who ride shetlands.
Can you get a greenguard or traditional style muzzle for her in the spring? Can she be driven? Long reined? Lunged?
Depends on the temperament of your section A really as to whether you leave her alone - but I think now until May seems a long time for a horse to be alone even if they are happy to be.

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 12/01/2011 11:10

I have a muzzle, but she can't wear it because she has an underbite. There is a distinct lack of smallish riders round here, and she does drive but I don't have a cart. Guess it will have to be lunging! I don't really want A to be alone, just in a quandary! We got her as an emergency, she was never really meant to stay forever, but we then put DDs bigger Shetland into livery so DD could ride in company, and she is keeping A company. It's just a waste of a nice LR driving pony.

OP posts:

Pixel · 12/01/2011 13:56

It's difficult if you think there is no one local who could come and ride because that would be the ideal solution. Personally I wouldn't want to leave a pregnant mare by herself if she was used to company as I'd be worried about her getting stressed. If you can't find a small child maybe there's a teenager who would enjoy taking her out for walks? I'd have loved that when I was young (actually I still like it now ).

Would you like to drive the shetland if you had the chance? Only you can pick up a brand-new shetland exercise cart for £240 at Robinsons so if you could find a second-hand one it would probably be fairly cheap. I've also seen some cheap nylon shetland harnesses on ebay.

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 12/01/2011 15:09

I'll have a look. I might advertise for help, I just don't want her getting over fat. She's like me, when she is bored, she obsesses about food! Does anyone think a sheep is a good idea for the interim, I'm not sure, I once saw a TB throw a sheep across a paddock!?

OP posts:

Pixel · 12/01/2011 15:56

Don't know really. We had some sheep last year but aside from the first day when the horses were totally freaked out they didn't really mix. The sheep kept away from the horses mainly so they wouldn't have been much company. I suppose one that had been an orphaned lamb might be friendlier?

samjones · 12/01/2011 16:56

A friend of mine kept a goat as companion for her mare. They were inseparable. When she took the mare away on courses the goat had to go too or there was hell.

In terms of work for the Shetland - its a pity you don't live closer to me (have nosed on your profile) - my daughter would have been happy to do something with it. She has done the Shetland Pony Grand National tour. Could you do some in-hand work with it in addition to the lunging? Like the mini-marvels? Rein-back, shoulder-in, turn on haunches/forehand etc are easily achievable and provide stepping stones to more advanced work like piaffe etc.

And Lunging need not be boring - it is a skill that can be taken to artistic levels. My trainer sometimes lunges her horses using wool to demonstrate the level they have got to. Doesn't have to be just endless circles.

Just some thoughts. Don't mean to sound so evangelical about these things, though I know I do sometimes!!

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 12/01/2011 18:46

Thats ok, I get quite passionate about things too! it's food for thought. I've long reined before, it's goo fun, like flying a stunt kite! It's about the time as well, with dds pony elsewhere, I've got to divide the daylight hours. She's such a nice little pony, she loves cuddles and stimulation, I'd love to see her go to a nice family with little kids. I'll never sell her, but I'd happily loan to nice people. It's just the leaving the A alone issue which is the spanner in the works!

OP posts:

olderyetwider · 14/01/2011 22:15

Send Shetland on loan to MitchyPinkbits!

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 15/01/2011 00:08

I'd happily consider that, older, but what do I do with the A? Unless mitchy has an aged retired Shetland to swap, I'm buggered!

OP posts:

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 15/01/2011 10:13

Let me have the A too!

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 15/01/2011 13:39

NOOO! I'm really looking forward to being. Granny! Would you be interested in the small fat one, if I can arrange a replacement? She's a lovely little quirky little thing, very sweet.

OP posts:

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 15/01/2011 20:30

Very much so, shall we discuss by pm? You might want some reassurance that I'm slightly less scattered in real life than you might think from my posts?

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 15/01/2011 21:15

Fine.

OP posts:

Pixel · 16/01/2011 20:20

Sounds like a plan. I've no doubt Mitchy will shower the pony with cuddles and pink headcollars, but wasn't the point to get it exercised?

I DEMAND to see a video of Mitchy having a test ride.

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 17/01/2011 00:50

Ooooh just squealed with excitement at her photo! You didn't say she was coloured!

It's late isn't it so will reply properly at more normal sort of time. Excited though!

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 17/01/2011 23:50

Pixel. I have a friend who regularly rides shetlands. I ride mine occasionally, although she is GINORMOUS and has a very solid leg at each corner!
My little one has apparently been driven. Maybe that would suit mitchy better?!

OP posts:

LovePinkBitsOfMyHorse · 18/01/2011 00:54

Yes, have already mapped out chariot racing track around field! Fencing doesn't look entirely Shetland proof - post and rail with electric fencing inside - but maybe she will be too busy bossing those boys around to escape? Think my daughter has watched too many zoo programmes but the 'environmental enrichment' of succulent treasure hunts and hidden mineral licks might keep her occupied too.

Hope the one mare two geldings set up will be ok?

Original poster

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 18/01/2011 07:43

She's been out with geldings before. It can get a little noisy at times but she was fine. She will probably be far too busy flirting to leg it! post and rail and electric sounds very spoilt to me!

OP posts:

Pixel · 18/01/2011 18:56

We have one mare and two geldings, never had a problem. I've just got a text from my sister to say the little madam has got through five strands of electric fencing. . She had a big pile of hay when I left her at 11am so she has no excuse!