Shetland pony personality?

Question

I know every horse or pony has its on personality but generalising do you think a shetland is good first pony for a little girl. I have spoken to a friend that owns a house ranch and she say's that they are very aggressive little ponies yet the research I've down says thery are quiet.. Has my friend just had a bad run with a couple of them or is that fair statement.

Answer 1

I had a chocolate palomino Shetland pony as my first horse. In fact the very first horse I trained was a Grey Shetland pony. With that said. Shetland pony's have all kinds of personality, and most of it bad. That is mostly because the many people who train Shetlands are too hard on them. I have had and seen great Shetland pony's, but at the same time I have seen a lot that are bad. Mostly because of the above mentioned reason. Remember when you are working with a Shetland, you have to treat it like a 1/3 size horse, because they are. Luck

Edit- A old broke horse is always the best bet for a first horse. A well trained Shetland is best for someone who is going to ride everyday. If trained well a Shetland is great horse, if not trained well the worst.

Answer 2

Nope, bad idea.

Little girls don't need ponies anyways. Wait till she grows up. If you get her a shetland now, when she's 16, she'll be way too big for it and you'll have to sell it.

No one ever thinks about the long run!!!!!

Oh, and shetland ponies are the devil. Horrible little terrors. They pull little kids around, bite, step on and body check them. Oh, and they'll keep doing it worse and worse if they get away with it.

Answer 3

Its been my observation that Shetlands are some of the smartest ponies around. As such, they know how to manipulate their young riders and get out of work whenever they can. I think they need regular work with an adult to keep them 'honest.' The up side to that, is that when you find and maintain an honest one, they are smart enough to take good care of thier young charges.

So, if you can find one that uses his smarts for good instead of 'evil' then they are great horses for kids.

Answer 4

Nooo way i have a shetland only for a companion for my other horses like he comes in the trailer with my horses to keep them compant and stuff, and yes he is a little s*** soo naughty at times he's tried kicking me several times always has his ears back, always is escaping from his field or stable into the feed room's. I dont know if this is just him and how he is but shetlands are well knows for been horrors. So i probably wouldn't get a shetland for a little girl, maybe get something like a little welsh sec c or a they are very quiet and good children's ponies and normally totally safe. Good Luck.

Answer 5

I have said this before and won't hesitate to repeat myself.

The best, first mount for a child is NOT a pony, but an older, well broke, bombproof HORSE.

Ponies are smarter than horses and often use their superior mental skills for evil. Not what you want for a child's first experience.

I speak from personal experience on the matter.

Answer 6

Generally speaking they can be very aggressive and are very rated.

I would advise a small Connemara pony.

Answer 7

Well, normally the smaller the pony the bratier lol. So, Shetlands are VERY bratey, but they CAN be GREAT kid horses. They just need proper training, and at least an advanced begineer (because they can be quite naughty). A riding instructor would make wonders too, because they can detect problems before they get to bad xP

I wouldn't recommend one if he person who wants a Shetland is a beginer and/or timid rider. If they like some get up and go and can handle a naughty pony then go for it. I know a Shetland who could jump 2'6 and was an AWESOME lesson horse...it just depends on the pony ^^

ADD:

I wouldn't, in any way, consider a Shetland EVIL...like the person above me said...they use their intelligence for "evil" or what I call naughtiness. They get themselves in trouble but they aren't "evil" they just know how to TEACH there owners, so they can get away with it :D That is why i said you need a pony who has had proper training and keep an instructor so they use there intelligents for good...not evil lol

GOOD LUCK

Answer 8

NOOOOOOOOO,

shetland pony are very tough, and stronge not a good idea!!!!!!!!!!!!!

good luck! xo

Answer 9

I rode a shetland pony when i was very little( 4 yr.s old)(and i rode her until i was 8), and mine was very nice and did everything i asked of her....i would say yes shetland ponies are a good choice for a little girl, but you don't need to get one that's very young....you need to get one that's around 20 to 25 yrs. old......their sweeter then.....My pony was 20 when we got her and she died at age 36.....I would not reccomend a welsh pony!!! We had one a couple months back that was supposed to be for my little brother and he was to aggressive for him to handle....so we ended up selling him..

Answer 10

its like you said.... she has probably had a run in with several of them with bad attitudes... my mom had one when she was younger but it was mean because they pestered the c**p out of it and made it mean... lol if you get an older one that is bomb proof it would make a wonderful first pony... a friend of mine had one forEVER that was the sweetest thing ever! big things come in small packages and that doesnt just go for a big mean spirited horse in a tiny body... but big hearts as well...

Answer 11

My mother used to work for a Shetland breeder and as a kid I had a long line of Shelties on loan to introduce to the showring.  My 4 1/2 year old daughter's pony is a 12 year old Sheltie gelding who is basically a nanny in a pony suit - Dougie stands stock still for hours while my kids fuss over him, paint his hooves with sparkly polish, groom him, dress him up as a pirate, crawl under his belly, shriek at each other, he picks up his feet for my nearly 3 year old son to clean, lowers his head to the ground so Ellie can put his bridle on, goes beautifully on or off the lead and listens to her leg but stops if she wobbles.  When we go to shows, she puts his travel boots on and loads him into the lorry herself.

Good Shetlands are worth their weight in gold, then some more.  Unfortunately they've got a bad reputation because a lot of people treat them as cute little pets, which they don't like.  They're shrewd, and far far more intelligent than a lot of people give them credit for, and if you don't treat them like working horses they'll start to take the p**s.  Bottom line is they're ponies not dogs, and need to be treated like working animals.  If you can get one that's used to children and hasn't been pampered, you're on to a winner.  But anything that's been fed treats by hand is not going to be suitable for your daughter!

Answer 12

Well I've always known Shetlands to be a bit aggressive as well.  Sometimes you get one that is really mean, and then you get others that are as sweet as can be.  But in general they aren't the best choice for a child.  

Growing up with horses, I suggest you purchase a small mare instead.  I would get one that is 8+ because older means more experience, and more experience usually means a horse that is easier to ride.  We had a small mare that was 10 when we bought her, and 8 years later she is still going strong.  Just make sure that she appears to have been properly cared for, check her teeth, feet, whithers, etc.  I assume that since you are considering this, you have had or do own horses.  If not, please make sure to do a lot of research into the specific needs of large animals, and your local laws on land requirements.

Good luck!  Horses are a great way to help teach kids resposibility and appreciation of animals.