Shetland pony advice

[Pegasus41]

I am moving to somewhere with a paddock and am thinking of getting two Shetland ponies, but I have a lot to learn as I’ve never owned a pony or horse. Obvs Shetlands are a very particular variety and I’ve been doing quite a of reading, but still have a couple of questions — bear with my ignorance.
Do you need a horse box to transport them? Eg does the farrier come to you or do you have to get to them? Ditto for the vet.

We’ll be in semi-rural location, is it generally not too hard to find someone to care for the ponies when we go away?

I’m a lone parent with two primary school age children so need to be realistic, though I’m prepared to be committed. The kids sadly lost their Dad at the start of the year and I think building a relationship with these characterful little ponies might be a good thing.

shetlands are very opinionated little things. Don’t be fooled into thinking because they’re small they are easy. Do your children ride already? If not I would get them down a local stables first to make sure they like them as they’re a lot of work. Even if they live out in the field 24/7 they will need poo picking, pick feet out, brush over, change rugs etc. you’ll also have to make sure fencing is adequate, they’re escape artists!

Vet and farrier will come to you but yes you’d need to hire a box if you wanted to take them somewhere.

you’ll be able to find someone to care for them whilst you’re away, join some local horse facebook groups if you’re on Facebook and ask for some recommendations. The groups are also good for sourcing vets, farriers, hay etc.

They aren’t great for novices. It’s a really bad idea to keep ponies at home if you’ve no experience. What will you do with them once outgrown? Keeping them laminitis free is such hard work with little ones. They need a lot more exercise than people think.

As a rule Welsh A types make better first ponies, Shetlands are called Shitlands for a reason! I love them but they are a bit marmite and quickly outgrown.

You don’t need transport as a rule, vet will come to you and you can hire if you need to take them in. Farrier comes to you.

Getting good holiday care can be easy or difficult tbh, depends where you live.

Time at the local stables around different ponies to get your DC used to them, see if it is something they want, etc. There may be options like offering another family use of the ponies in return for care when you go away. This way they will already know the ponies.
Good luck, they are great characters. Be careful on size as children quickly grow out of them. If DC at the older end of primary school look for a mix that can carry an older child. Icelandic are wonderful, but more suited to the north.

Yeah, vets and farriers will come to you.

I can on to say, "Shetlands are often called shitlands, and for good reason," but I see someone got there first!

Thanks, yes, lots of good things to consider. They wouldn’t be outgrown as if there’s enough space they wouldn’t be just for riding, ie wouldn’t matter if DC not riding them, I think.

To be blunt, I'd say, with your level of experience (which sounds like none), don't buy any kind of pony.

Shetlands aren't the best option here. They are little terrors for the most part - kind of like the Jack Russell of the horse world. Very big and opinionated just in a small package. There is thinking these days that horses are never naughty- negative behaviour is always a result of pain or trauma. This excludes Shetland ponies! Are you experienced in handling horses?

Just sticking in my bit here for what it's worth, I have 3, & have owned them for 6 years. They get a bad rep but I can safely say mine are good as gold in character. Hilarious little barrels but no trouble. They have their feet trimmed every 3 months. They've both had laminitis however. I never rug them. They come in at night but that's mainly because this winter has been disgustingly wet & also in the next couple of months they'll stay out at night when it's warm then in in the day to be rid of the flies. My 4 YO loves them & they are brilliant with her, however they are not ridden, just groomed & sat upon.

I would not go for a Shetland pony , definitely not 2 if you are inexperienced! 😮
Find out about volunteering at your local Riding for Disabled or riding stables so you can learn about the art of horsemanship; the ponies there will be docile and good mannered ( Shetland ponies are not ).

Only when you have all learned the basics go on to get a loan pony under the watchful eye of someone experienced.

The loan pony will ideally be one that is good for novice riders.

Do you have any experience with horses? If not then would you consider a part loan initially to get some experience? Or look into bhs courses. It may be a bit if a shock to the system for you and the ponies to jump in blind. If you do have experience then best of luck with naughty Shetland's 🙈. Although they are super cute

Yes, would definitely do some BHS courses. Am a rider but not owner. Thinking it through, though, I think it’s something for quite a way into the future after we all get some more experience. My aunt did own some shetlands for some years, time to consult her, as well as spend more time at the stables (we do spend some time).

How much land will you have? I know from my own RightMove addiction that estate agents will often market a barely 1 acre paddock as 'ideal for equestrians' when you really can't keep even a couple of Shetlands on that year round. You are looking at minimum 2 acres for a couple of ponies and you'd want to be able to divide it easily into winter and summer grazing, unless you also have stables and are prepared to keep them stabled in winter (which is a lot of extra work and expense).

As others have said, you don't need your own trailer or lorry although it is handy to have one, farriers, vets, equine dentists and physios, freelance grooms and instructors all come to you (vets and some others will charge a call-out fee). You probably will want a trailer if your DC start riding seriously as otherwise they'll be limited in what they can do, unless you have space and funds to put in a fenced and surfaced arena lessons at home will be impossible and they'll probably want to do pony club and competitions and things which you'll need transport for. But from the sounds of things that's a way down the line.

Assuming you do have plenty of land, I'll go against the grain here and say you could learn enough to have a couple of small non ridden ponies happily enough. Rather than fixating on Shetlands specifically I'd actually approach a rescue (I'd recommend Blue Cross) and seeing about rehoming a couple of rescue ponies. Small non-ridden ponies of nondescript breed are exactly what most rescues have lots of and struggle to re-home. You could always add a ridden pony for your DC later down the line if they take lessons and enjoy it. I'd get yourself down to a riding school or equestrian college to learn the basis of horse care ASAP, you need to learn things like safe handling (even non ridden ponies should be handled daily so they are used to being led around, feet picked up etc), grooming, feeding, injury spotting, common illnesses and ailments, pasture management. The BHS used to run a great course called the Horse Owner's certificate which would have been ideal, I don't think they do it any more but you could maybe inquire about studying for your stage 1 care, iirc this would be an 8 week course for 1 hour a week and would cover what you need to know (no need to do the exam at the end unless you want to).

Obviously it's a whole other kettle of fish supervising young novice DC riding at home and I'd recommend doing a whole lot more study/experience gaining before attempting this, but looking after two little ponies is not that hard although probably more work than you'd imagine! Good luck and feel free to ask more questions, no question too silly!

Regardless of breed, you’ll need more than just a paddock

Ideally, you would need a field shelter with a gate or door which you can use as a stable if the weather is really awful, one (or both of them) get lame or injured and need to be inside to recover, and some hardstanding or a small concrete yard to have them when you’re grooming, tacking up etc

Grooming and care is a really important part of the bonding, so you can’t just expect to drag them in from the field, ride and turn them back out. Shetlands especially need time to build up trust (I won’t say love because I don’t think they are capable!) so regular time with them will be important

Ideally, you don’t want to ride in the same field they live in. You absolutely don’t need a proper arena but you might want to divide an area away from their grazing space to use as the riding space. A bit of electric fence will be fine but if you can also mark the space with letters, it would be a good way of your DCs learning to basics when they get lessons

Shetlands are known as shitlands for good reason… horrid little fuckers. If they were any bigger no one would have them, despite their size they are completely unsuitable for a novice home as they are so stubborn and wilful.
Id also not underestimate the amount of work and inordinate expense of keeping an, even non ridden, pony at home. Especially something small and lami prone line a native breed pony. It will need far more careful management than you’d think. They are not field ornaments

What's with all the Shetland hate on this thread? I took on a min Shetland yearling six weeks ago and he is the most amazing little character.

That said he is incredibly stubborn and now basically rules my stable yard. They may be small but they are still ponies, with all the potential to become little swines as all ponies have!

No Shetland hate, just saying what you are - they need a competent handler with experience. Few are suitable for novices

Love my Shetlands! But they need very careful, experienced management and handling as they can become biting, bronco'ing, cheeky little escape artists otherwise!

Far far better to loan a steady and safe New Forest pony: in my experience they are usually traffic proof, calm, fun to ride, and easy to keep and suitable for both adults and children to ride 😊

I've owned shetlands. They are just short horses. Not easier than a big horse to own and actually need a lot more care to make sure they don't get laminitis as they can't have too much grass.

If you've never owned a horse before I really wouldn't get a Shetland. They're not easy animals and are prone to laminitis due to their size.

Why not a robust native breed instead?

Our Shetland was an absolute money pit , could not go out in the rain , caught every disease known to man or horse including strangles .

Mines got laminitis again now

Ours had that as well .