Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Fallabella Ponies

39 replies

Carrotsandcelery · 20/03/2011 19:10

Has anyone out there got one?

OP posts:
ambivalentandroid · 23/03/2011 17:00

Thanks - so I suppose they are lovely for very young dc. Smile

CotswoldCountryMummy · 23/03/2011 17:23

Hi, we bought our daughter a Miniature horse for her first birthday. They are bigger than Falabellas and so last a bit longer in terms of being outgrown. I think they're an excellent choice - Florrie's been riding Tilly for two months now (she'll be two this august) and goes out everyday (albeit with one of us leading and one of us holding a harness attached to her coat!) The pony has a very sweet nature and adores Florrie and other children but rules the roost in the field, bossing our big Hunters about and keeping Mother in laws Thoroughbreds in line. SHe was definitely a sound investment. (And Flo has just been fitted with her first jockey hat, at the tender age of 20 months! Such a relief!)
I'm new on here. Hello everyone.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 23/03/2011 17:37

we bought our daughter a miniature . it's lovely and Flo has been riding for two months properly now. She is 2 in August. We always have to have two to go out with her (one to lead the pony,one to hold Flo, just in case) but she loves it and is fast gaining her confidence. The pony is great with children, but really bosses the other horses in the field, keeping our big hunters in line, and the young thoroughbreds. :-)

CotswoldCountryMummy · 23/03/2011 17:38

sorry for posting twice - thought the first post i sent had disappeared!?

ambivalentandroid · 23/03/2011 17:54

Hello, CCM. Smile You are very welcome.

cedmonds · 23/03/2011 18:49

If you get the right one yes they are lovely for young dc.Some can be little gits and very strong willed a bit like any pony really. We have one who my dc is not allowed near as she will rear at any little thing. One of last years for will follow him around the field. We have two foals due very soon so hopefully the weather stays nice so they can be out lots.

ambivalentandroid · 23/03/2011 21:10

CotswoldCountryMummy, I love the sound of your set-up - big hunters and young thoroughbreds, mmmm.

You may find it easiest to cut your Mumsnet teeth in the Tack Room - ie carry on posting here until you are used to it. Other areas can be a little shouty; and if you are new, steer clear of 'Am I being unreasonable?' until you are really used to how threads tend to kick off go.

CotswoldCountryMummy · 23/03/2011 22:55

yes, i gathered as much. I don't understand how my daughter having a pony could have provoked such a hostile reaction??! thanks for the tip

Carrotsandcelery · 24/03/2011 13:54

I thought everyone on here might like this here

CC as in life there are some strange people on here too. Pay no heed - there are some nice normal folk as well Grin

OP posts:
ambivalentandroid · 24/03/2011 16:56

Awww...so cute. Lovely to see him cantering about!

ambivalentandroid · 25/03/2011 13:53

Here's a cute pic right back at you! Grin Scroll down a bit. (Hope it works!)

Carrotsandcelery · 25/03/2011 14:10

Oh that is fab! Seriously cute! Awwwww...

OP posts:
varkie · 28/04/2011 12:55

I breed/train/sell miniature shetland ponies - not falabellas, but similar in size.

Anyone who has any small pony needs to bear in mind that for all their size, they are still a horse. And I don't know about falabellas & other miniature horses, but my shetlands all believe firmly that they are about 16hh!!!

Any small pony requires exactly the same care as a bigger horse - vaccinations, worming, safe fencing & grazing, handling, feeding, etc. Some things are cheaper (they eat less hay, feed, wormer), but other things will cost the same (farrier, vet, livery) as if they were a larger horse.

They have the same requirements as a bigger horse, like company. Some, rare, horses are happy alone, but as a species, they are a herd animal, and should be kept always with company.

Shetlands in particular have a very bad reputation. I have 22 of them currently, including a colt & a stallion. My four year old daughter can lead even the colt & the stallion. She is safe to be out in the field with them, or in the 'big' field with 18 of them. And that's as it should be.

The thing is, I have a big horse background, and I treat my shetlands like they are big horses. I expect the same manners & level of handling / training. As a result, mine are all lovely to be around, and generally good to do. And this is the key to shetlands - treat them like a big horse, and you'll be fine. Treat them like a pet or a dog or a baby, and their intelligent little brains will start working overtime, and they'll give you a major run for your money!

It's also worth bearing in mind how bright they are. They do need attention, and to be doing something. They can be walked inhand, ridden, driven, long reined, lunged, freeschooled, etc. And they are better for doing so.

The problem wiht shetlands is that if you give them an inch, before you know it, they've galloped a mile! ;)

Booboostoo · 09/05/2011 22:53

I have a Falabella x bought as a companion and he is a lovely chap. Luckily he has a very nice character, he is not bolshy, stubborn or difficult to handle in any way, but he is treated like a 'proper' horse and not a toy. He is walked in hand and we keep an eye on his weight for obvious laminitis problems, but he is too small to be broken in to ride (no adult could ever sit on him and I wouldn't break him in with a child rider). He has very good stable manners and is very tolerant with children grooming him and fussing over him.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page