About these B horses and shetlands

[Marty]

Ok here's what I have been thinking now for a very long time. Please keep in mind that I am a very old decrepit person from a time when every kid around was raised on the back of a pony. So do be gentle with me.

It's about this popularity of the larger Shetlands that are being bred and combinations of B + Shetland. They are bigger, leggier, more gorgeous and correct then ever before. But here's my problem with that: Nobody is riding them!

Does the world really need more halter horses? "Lead 'em and feed 'em horses" I call them. Pretty is as pretty does, but what good are all these larger ponies when the kids don't ride them?

The way I see it, ponies are meant for using. They should be ridden. And by kids! Not by adults over mounting them with their feet dragging the ground, sorry. I can't deal with that one. But by the kids, by our youth that can fit them and ride them right.

Just LOOK what this would do for the industry.

First of all, the youth would be brought out. They'd be given a new chance for the youth that may be getting bored and tired of the same old ground handling classes.

Then you would have increase of sales for those of you breeding them. Everyone would be buying them for their kids to ride instead of just halter and driving all the time.

Training stables for the kids would be at an all time high. They'd be brimming with kids taking lessons on their new ponies.

Then, of course you would increase the revenue at the shows.

And followed by increase of tack being sold.

So, it's a win-win situation.

These classes at the shows should be chuck full of riding classes for these ponies. Not just one or two. There should be all sorts of classes for them, not just a lead-line class. There should be english and western classes, walk-trot, pleasure classes, jumping under saddle, bridle path hack, oh heck, through a couple of speed events in there too! Let these ponies do what they were intended to do. Tote a kid!!!!!

There was a day when the kids would do their best to clean up their fat scruffy looking ponies to go to a local show.

But now, these ponies are being bred like crazy but for what?

What kid, wouldn't LOVE to ride a well bred drop dead gorgeous pony with movement like the ponies that you guys are breeding today? Any horse loving kid would die for the chance.

Heck, I trained our ponies to do anything a horse can do and just as good if not better. I had a pony that would do a 360 like clock-work and spin on a dime and never missed a lead in his life. I'd even consider training ponies here again for riding.

If there were only incentive to bring these ponies back out for the kids like they are supposed to be. But breed them "sane." I have seen some Shetlands that are bred so high they are complete screwballs and not good choices for children, so like anything else, breed them pretty but sane.

I say that the registrys need to get moving on this and let's bring on the youth and put these ponies back to what God created them for.

Let's hear your views.

Does anyone out there agree with me at all on this one?

 

[kaykay]

MARTY I SO AGREE!!! When i bought our first shetland (patches) i posted on the pony forum "what happened to all the riding ponies!" Now patches was broke to ride and drive when i got her (lucky me!) but there are barely any classes the kids can show in riding! Kyle just hates it as he feels hes too old to do a leadline class.

I know the new division is supposed to be about performance ponies but i just think they went the wrong way about it. now thats just my opinion!! Please dont flame me but the new national show pony progarm is going to be very hard to get going the way it is being implemented right now.

I was just talking to a Fran about this this very morning! I do think there is a huge market out there for nice broke to ride kids ponies. Kyle and I are thinking of rehabbing some bigger B minis and ponies (rescues) and training them. These horses have so much to offer but they are overlooked because no one will take the time to train them. Right now CMHR has BEAUTIFUL pony mare but we have had no takers to adopt her. I may have Ginny send her here in the spring and she may be our first project

Luckily i have a new neighbor that trains and breaks horses to ride and she said shed help us. Im so excited about it!

our new colt Black will be trained to drive when hes old enough

Kay

 

[mininik]

I see your point, Marty, but I think it's a lot more common for today's children to ride the bigger ponies like the Halflingers, Welsh, etc. Without giving it much thought it'd seem to me that most children would quickly out-grow a Shetland...

 

[Marty]

I see your point, Marty, but I think it's a lot more common for today's children to ride the bigger ponies like the Halflingers, Welsh, etc.

Well no, not really. Where I come from most kids are riding big horses, but then many do get their start on a pony. And I am speaking about the registry shows mostly. To have classes available for the riding kids.

And yes, time and money dumped into training a little one for the kid, but just like any other pony, they grow out of them in a couple of years, but that just makes them more well seasoned for the next kid. A "hand me down" if you will. Time and money well spent.

People are going to spend their bucks on these ponies. It's not going to cost that much more to put saddle training on him for thier kid. And most horse show people will go through great lengths to do this for thier kid.

Now look at it from another point of view as well:

Let's just say that we buy a halter pony for us and to drive. But gee whiz, what a PERK that would be to find that this horse is also broke to ride and we can also get the grandkids involved!!!!

A B/shetland like that would SELL !!!!!

 

[hhpminis]

I have been in clubs for different breeds of horses and I remember having "play days" These were days when we would ride and game and do all sorts of crazy stuff with our horses/ponies.

Maybe this would be something that clubs could think about as an offshoot of the traditional shows. I also see more and more 4H groups getting miniature classes in their area. One club I have been told about has obstacle classes that would put most of us to shame and the kids do great!. They drive, ground drive, ride and all the other in hand classes as well.

As far as just having another I'm so pretty look at me pony, well Marty sorry but have you watched or heard of the size of the driving classes at Nationals? I am breeding the larger shetland minis but they are for me to drive. I think most breeders breed for not only beauty but athleticism as well. They do have very sensible minds, and if I had a child I would not hesitate to put one of them behind any of them. A horse without ability to move is not conformed correctly in my opnion and if they cant think straight then they should not be reproduced either.

It would be fun to see more youth riding the larger minis but I see the length of our Nationals show now and wonder how many more classes can we possibly have. They did officially add another day to Nationals for 2006 so now we have a 10 day show! But each year it still seems as if we have nights we are up to 2 AM showing.

Good ideas Marty and KayKay but the logistics of it really need somw thought as to how it could happen in the time alotted for our shows. Local shows are already usually 3 days sometimes 4 and I already mentioned Nationals. Maybe separate youth shows such as QH people have? No the ideal solution but just throwing it out. Will be good to see the ideas we come up with by tossing this around.

 

[mininik]

Hey, like they say... "There's an *** for every saddle!"

You know, I do remember some time ago seeing a recorded event of little kids riding a steeplechase course on Shetlands somewhere in Europe (*The Shetland Grand National). Doing a quick search on Google I see that the Shetland Pony Studbook Society there does have an "award scheme" for riding Shetlands:

http://www.shetlandponystudbooksociety.co.uk/pergroup.htm

 

[txminipinto]

Marty, come on down to Texas and visit some of our shows. LOTS of kids in our riding classes. The mare in my avator will be broke to ride this winter by me (I'm 5'4" so I think I'm big/small enough to break her

).

 

[FairytailGlennMinis]

Oh Marty--do you not ever get to little 4H or hunter shows anymore? Man alive--I have gone to several over the past 7 years and was floored when people told me the elegant little mounts for those tiny kids were shetlands! In the county below me there are about a half dozen of them and the kids ride them english, western, in barrels and even in long trail rides with the big horses. There is one little sorrel gelding with socks owned by my former farrier. His five year old would ride him in the west. pleasure classes and clean up. For me it was just hysterical to watch that little pony drop his head down so his neckline was a horizontal line and do a little western jog! Then to watch the farrier's niece swap tack and show him huntseat--omg it was cute! They had his little mane pulled and everything. That little guy is certainly my favorite shetland--and he sure doesn't look like the fat furrballs I knew as a kid!

-Amy

edited to add: there are always kids riding in the pony jumper and hunter classes on shetlands too.

 

[whitney]

Marty agree and disagree with you. I think there is a market for the larger pony just look at what Image has done. She had no problem selling a trained larger pony.

Personally if I were in the market for a rider for a child I would go with a good ole 14.2 Q.H. Reason being and this is from first hand experience, my sister started on a small shetland, by the time the horse was show ring perfect she out grew her, and felt compelled to sell her to someone who could ride her. Just about broke her heart.

The time and energy put into training a 14.2 Q.H. could be retained by the family for the life of the horse.

I think the buyer of a larger pony is someone who is new to horses and the size is less intimidating.

 

[Magic]

Does the world really need more halter horses? "Lead 'em and feed 'em horses" I call them. Pretty is as pretty does, but what good are all these larger ponies when the kids don't ride them?

517060[/snapback]

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It's a good point, Marty, and I agree that it would be nice to see kids out there riding more, but....

"Lead 'em and feed 'em horses"?? Does that mean that the smaller minis are worth less than the larger ones since they can't be ridden? Not in my opinion.

Granted, I prefer the somewhat larger miniatures (oxymoron? LOL!) but both larger and smaller, they don't need to be able to be ridden to have "value" IMO.

As Annette said, driving horses is just as fun as riding (if you've never really driven, you have no idea!).

 

[rabbitsfizz]

We need to hire a plane and bring you lot all over here for a couple of days in the Summer!! You want PONIES??? What size?? 12.2hh 12.00hh?? 13.00hh? 13.2hh?? Take your pick. Starting at 11.2hh for an elegant little Welsh bred Show Pony (that looks a lot like your Shetlands

) going up in 1 ins increments all the way up to 15.00hh.

HUNDREDS of them in all shapes and sizes. You'll not get a kid riding a pony that does not fit it, although it does mean either selling them or accumulating a field full of "pensioners".

Forget Native Shetlands as a kids pony- the Shetland Grand National is a hoot but the kids are all 13-15 year olds and it's not a real race. They do not make good kids ponies, not really.

But a little Welshman, or a larger American Shetland, would have been my dream as a child.

Never would have outgrown it, either

 

[Miniv]

Marty,

In theory, your idea is a great one. I would LOVE to see ASPC and AMHR shows have at least a LEAD LINE class for kids.

However, you will also hear a lot of people complain about the length of those shows and having an additional class or two would make it longer.

Just for the record, we have a major Hunter/Jumper show (The Budweiser Classic) here in the Bend area every summer. Big names in the industry come from all over because the winner's pot is big. (I think the biggest pot is $50,000. There are smaller winnings that are between $10,000 to $25,000)

As a part of the weekend there is a lead line class for young children on their ponies. I've noticed that WE are not the only ones who make the effort to attend that part of the show -- which covers several days. The announcer always comes down with his microphone and interviews each child as they get a ribbon......It's really sweet and fun.

MA

 

[Lisa-Ruff N Tuff Minis]

I do agree marty.. I think a good riding pony is worth its weight in gold!

HI think in a lot of ways that is where the NSPR came about

I know I rode my pony as a kid for days on end and sorry folks hate to say it but.. he technically was mini size and about 34 in or so he would go from sun up to sun down

iI to would love to see them being marketed (with appropriate size)as riding ponies I know raven could easily ride her new just under 38 in mare with no problem however.. her age group doesnt allow her to even do lead line anymore.

I personally could never compare riding to driving i am not a huge fan of driving and really dont enjoy it much but that is just me i know many love it.. I do agree though marty just not sure what the answer or solution is.

 

[lyn_j]

[SIZE=14pt]Robbys going to be riding Cassie and Sillouette... Cassie is aspc now and will be amhr. I dont ride them but I will drive any one of them![/SIZE]

Bruce is taking the shetlands that are in the 38-40 range and training them for ads driving...... He sold one of the nicest little stallions Rags to Riches for upper 4 figures to be gelded and shown as a driving horse..... lots of uses for them other than lead and feed.

Lyn

 

[Lewella]

Just about every Shetland on my place that is old enough has had a saddle and bridle on with either myself or one of the kids on board - even the studs!

Most aren't to the point of being lesson ponies but they all know the basics. At least one of my kids has been top 10 All Star in leadline (and several times we were Reserve All Star Champion) the last several years and we've used half a dozen different ponies.

 

[Jill]

Well, I own many B horses. It used to be that half my horses were B's but now it's a little less than half.

The way I see it, ALL horses are meant to be "used", and that includes driving, in hand, halter, etc. Whatever works for the owner and the horse. The bigger the horses are, the more you can do with them. In the ring or out.

You saw my new "Bacardi" (on the trailer) who you described as the BIG PALOMINO. He is all mine! I wouldn't want him an inch smaller. I hope he keeps on getting it right up there to as close as 38" as possible. To me, almost always, the BIG ones are the ones that look the most horse like and I'm just kind of in awe of Bacardi (love love love him!).

Not to tick anyone off, it's just my own personal preference, but give me a 38" horse any day over an under 30" horse. I think it's really pretty neat that (at least with AMHR) there is so much diverisity in the miniatures. Not sure I'm ever going to want to branch into ASPC since I'm so happy with the minis, but I'm sure all of us who've been into horses for long do a lot more than lead and feed.

 

[Leeana]

I see where your getting at Marty.

I like these larger shetlands though because there fun to drive, i love to drive the mini's and all but i prefer to drive the shetlands.

I learned to ride on a 42' shetland when i was younger. Her name was Miss Molly and i was to young back then to get attacked to a pony. I outgrew her and she ended up being sold because no one could ride her, this was a long time ago before i got into mini's. We are going to teach tanner (he is about 2yrs old now, he is my nephew next door) and we are going to teach him to ride on Joey when he gets older.

I see allot of kids riding these larger ponies but i think that kids now are getting more into the big QH and all them for jumping and all that.

But i like these larger shetlands, i think they are pretty and im a halter class loving girl.

Leeana

 

[susanne]

I'm responding to your question with another question...or two...

People here are always talking about a maximum weight of 60 lbs or so for a mini, but I always assume they are talking about smaller ones...

How much weght can a larger B, say close to 38 inches, carry?

How much could a rather refined 38 inch maximini like Mingus carry?

Some of you mention training them to ride by riding them yourselves (unless I misinterpret)...I assume you are very tiny or skinny? I'm 5'4", not at all skinny, but not enormous, and yet I can't imagine riding him for even a brief moment.

I've often thought that Mingus would enjoy being ridden, and he adores small children; however, he can be a handful, and I wouldn't want to suggest to any parent that their child be the first to ride him...so who would I have train him for riding?

My guess is that this is one reason why many do not train their minis and small Shetlands for riding.

Another thought...not every horse big enough needs to be ridden. I have many plans for my horses, present and future, that do not necessarily involve riding --- CDE, long-line dressage, etc. They all have or will have jobs. Riding would be nice for the occasional visitor, but we have no children of our own, so it is quite secondary.

Finally, I may be very selfish, but I do not want to subject my babies to a bit in the hands of a novice...leadline, yes, but true riding, I think not. If they want to be in control, they can borrow one of our bikes.

 

[Marty]

"Lead 'em and feed 'em horses"?? Does that mean that the smaller minis are worth less than the larger ones since they can't be ridden? Not in my opinion.

Hey Lori! HI HI HI!!!! No, that does not mean that the smaller minis are worth less since they cannot be ridden. Heck all mine are under 34". It's just different strokes for different folks. This would just be one more way to enhance the market. Plenty of people still would want the little ones of course. It may however mean that the market for the larger minis would be terrific! Now there is a marketing technique for ya..

So, since the larger minis, many CAN be ridden, why not just go for the full monty and have the kids saddle them on up?

I do agree with Jill, just my personal pereference that if you guys all saw Bacardi, he would be a horse for a kid to die for to ride in the ring, just as an example.

However after reading about how long the shows are, gee whiz, it would seem difficult to try and get some good riding classes to fit in there. But where there's a will, there should be a way because this would be awesome for the youth.

And nope, whoever, I forgot, sorry, said about training your own ponies to ride, well you surely wouldn't be seeing the likes of me trying to ride one! That would be criminal. But there are several other ways to accomplish the training aspect of it, just like my former ponies who were very talented little mounts.

 

[Lewella]

With big horses the rule of thumb is that they can carry 20-25% of their body weight on their back. For ponies, which have denser bones, the rule of thumb is that they can carry 30-33% of their body weight.

When it comes to riding the Shetlands I look at it this way - I'm not putting my kids on a pony that I don't know how it is going to react under saddle with weight. Therefore, I get on them and ride them myself to see what they will do. I don't ride them for long, just long enough to feel them out or correct a problem. A short ride by an adult is not going to hurt an adult pony. I may look goofy but I'd rather have my children have a safe riding pony than look good!