Many Canadians are getting

[Filipowicz Farm]

Many Canadians are getting Classic Shetlands either they are aspc/amhr registered or aspc and can be hardshipped in at 3 years of age..Since there are no Shetland shows that I know of as yet many are bringing them to the States to show. Please share you tips on showing and conditioning a Shetland and anyother knowledge you can share with them . Thanks.

 

[afoulk]

In the Shetland Division the ponies are worked individually.

You will all come into arena and line up however the ringmaster designates. Usually it is side by side but I have seen it head to tail.

Judges will examine the pony and ask you to work your pony.

You will walk to a position off the rail and trot your pony both directions and come back to the lineup. Each pony in the class will be worked in this manner.

The judges will come back through and look at the ponies again and then pin the class.

Arlene

 

[Genie]

There seems to bit of "a buzz" about the shetlands here in Ontario, and when you are buying to show and have few places to show it makes me wonder.

To each his own, but I'll stick with the "tinies" that I adore.

Anyone I have discussed Shetlands with, seem to think that they can be "hot" and when you are old and arthritic, "Hot" is "Not What I need"

I know this is off your topic, but it is interesting to see what the market is doing, and saying.

 

[Minimor]

Have you guys not heard...there are going to be more Shetland shows in Canada this year. The Manitoba International is adding in a Class C Shetland show for 2009, and the plan for 2010 is an "A" rated show. From what I have heard there is one Ontario show adding Shetland classes this year, and they will be hosting an "A" show in 2010....

You see, there are now these little things called the Canadian National Area Shows...complete with Amateur Incentive classes for the Shetlands (yes, with payouts, same as at the US National Area shows)--one judge, triple points... Hope I haven't given away any secrets with this post...

So, the Canadian Shetland classes are coming, and soon....better start buying your Shetlands so you can be a part of it!!

 

[EAD Minis]

There seems to bit of "a buzz" about the shetlands here in Ontario, and when you are buying to show and have few places to show it makes me wonder.
To each his own, but I'll stick with the "tinies" that I adore.

Anyone I have discussed Shetlands with, seem to think that they can be "hot" and when you are old and arthritic, "Hot" is "Not What I need"

I know this is off your topic, but it is interesting to see what the market is doing, and saying.

I will take a tiny correct mini any day

 

[Lisa Strass]

I think it is great that the Classics are spreading North!

Like all breeds of horses, there are a wide variety of personalities. Often times those personality traits can be traced more through specific bloodlines than lumped together as breed trait. I for one LOVE my Rock "E" bred horses which do tend to be hotter, but I can also see how they may not be the horse for everyone. It can take longer to gain their trust, but there is a lot of self-satisfaction gained in the process. We also have some calmer bloodlines in some of our mares whose personalities aren't any different than some of my minis I used to have.

Arlene gave a good summary for a halter class, so I'll just give a couple general tips for dealing with the hotter ones:

1) They are easier to condition - they typically like to work hard and make the most of their workouts. I have a couple that I can just turn out in the roundpen and they exercise themselves. Not always the best, but when you're short on time, it's great!

2) They tend to eat more than a comparable sized mini - makes sense since they seem to burn more nervous energy just standing around, plus they exercise harder

3) They can take a little longer to train to do things. They actually learn what to do really fast, but making sure whatever is new isn't going to eat them takes a little longer for them to realize.

4) Time, patience, and love - all it takes for an amazing connection

5) The extra alertness gives them an unmistakable presence in the show ring.

I was introduced to the Classic Shetlands in 2003, and have become completely hooked! Personally, I prefer the 38" & under ones, and Mike likes the bigger ones, so we've got both types around here.

And again, there are all types of horse personalities found in a given breed, so if you like the calmer Classics, there are plenty of those out there!

 

[Devon]

There seems to bit of "a buzz" about the shetlands here in Ontario, and when you are buying to show and have few places to show it makes me wonder.
To each his own, but I'll stick with the "tinies" that I adore.

Anyone I have discussed Shetlands with, seem to think that they can be "hot" and when you are old and arthritic, "Hot" is "Not What I need"

I know this is off your topic, but it is interesting to see what the market is doing, and saying.

I bought my Classic to show AMHR I wouldn't buy an over 38" classic to show here your right nothing here. But they can be just as beautiful and conformationally correct as the tiny correct one's you prefer so I don't see it as people just buying them because their a "buzz" and I love their big movement.

 

[midnight star stables]

I too am a HUGE Shetland fan. I feel it is becoming very popular with the younger generations.

I will get a Shetland - I am just waiting for the right one.

Personally I fancy the 'hot' classics and moderns, as I like to see a lot of action, along side great conformation.

 

[Matt73]

I think it is great that the Classics are spreading North!

Like all breeds of horses, there are a wide variety of personalities. Often times those personality traits can be traced more through specific bloodlines than lumped together as breed trait. I for one LOVE my Rock "E" bred horses which do tend to be hotter, but I can also see how they may not be the horse for everyone. It can take longer to gain their trust, but there is a lot of self-satisfaction gained in the process. We also have some calmer bloodlines in some of our mares whose personalities aren't any different than some of my minis I used to have.

Arlene gave a good summary for a halter class, so I'll just give a couple general tips for dealing with the hotter ones:

1) They are easier to condition - they typically like to work hard and make the most of their workouts. I have a couple that I can just turn out in the roundpen and they exercise themselves. Not always the best, but when you're short on time, it's great!

2) They tend to eat more than a comparable sized mini - makes sense since they seem to burn more nervous energy just standing around, plus they exercise harder

3) They can take a little longer to train to do things. They actually learn what to do really fast, but making sure whatever is new isn't going to eat them takes a little longer for them to realize.

4) Time, patience, and love - all it takes for an amazing connection

5) The extra alertness gives them an unmistakable presence in the show ring.

I was introduced to the Classic Shetlands in 2003, and have become completely hooked! Personally, I prefer the 38" & under ones, and Mike likes the bigger ones, so we've got both types around here.

And again, there are all types of horse personalities found in a given breed, so if you like the calmer Classics, there are plenty of those out there!

Lisa,

Since Devon got such a nice boy from you, maybe you need to send a girl to Ontario. I'm thinking Pearl would love it at Shiloh Farms

 

[muffntuf]

Shetlands are just as endearing as miniatures. They are fiercely loyal if they fancy and most do. There are some strong bloodlines, just like in the miniatures and you can pretty much tell which ones are on the more actionable side than others.

I just sent a beautiful mare to Texas, she was made for a beginner or child, calm, easy going, would do anything you asked of her and then stand for hours on end waiting for whatever comes next.

I also sent a little 'hotter' mare to Texas with her, she is a spotlight pony - has lots of gusto, but no bad habits.

I find no malace in Shetlands. They are extremely trainable, often getting what I want them to do in one session.

I also have ASPR ponies, which can be a pure hackney or hackney/shetland cross. They too exhibit and promote a great relationship with me and are soak up training.

If you think I am biased, maybe a little, but I started out in miniatures.

 

[Sunny]

Many Canadians are getting Classic Shetlands either they are aspc/amhr registered or aspc and can be hardshipped in at 3 years of age..Since there are no Shetland shows that I know of as yet many are bringing them to the States to show. Please share you tips on showing and conditioning a Shetland and anyother knowledge you can share with them . Thanks.

Exhibitors, keep in mind the RULE BOOK is a really good place to start learning about the differences in rules and presentation!

I can't wait to get a Shetland or three myself! I'm just waiting for the timing to be right....

 

[Karen S]

Hey Judy,

Come visit my barn, just might have something you like!

I raise Foundation and Classic Shetlands. My breeding program is based on the HP Jerico line and the Spitting Image line. I have been producing consistant winners since 2003 by our 2002 Pony of the Year, Pan's Silver Image. Our first home-grown filly, Fiddlestix Silver Silhouette has earned both her Halter & Performance Hall of Fame in five years (you can see "Sydie" on our website). I breed for a sensible pony that anyone can handle from Youth to Seniors. Like Lisa said there are a few lines that are 'hot" but most are not. It all goes back to how they are handled.

Shetlands unlike miniatures don't forget things and when they are turned over to inexperienced people then the two will clash. Shetlands are very smart animals and those that I have sold, even to people who handle Arabians have told me how quick they are to learn. Last year I had four foals. Two of which will probably stay small enough to hardship in as a mini. Out of the two that were pretty small a stallion and a filly, the filly went to a person in Georgia that wanted their first Shetland and wanted one that was Foundation or Classic. The filly fit what they were looking for and looks like she will stay around 34" as she is right now around 31" according to her new owner.

When you have an opportunity go visit our website and take a look at the two boys that are on there now, the silver colt from Michigan's Mary Jane a, Fiddlestix The Gambler, the black and white colt , Fiddlestix Midnight Cowboy from another one of our good producing mare's, CH Mickey's Angelina, He will make someone a very nice roadster pony when he matures , a three year old mare, Fiddlestix Midnight Waltz out of our Supreme Dam, Michigan's Rock ET. The two that are Foundation are the Silver Colt and the 3 year old mare, and if a show doesn't have Foundation classes then they can be shown in the Classic division. We are seeing more people step into the Shetland show ring starting out with the Foundations or Classics and even some of those are moving on up the ladder to the Modern Pleasures, Moderns and even the bigger ponies, the Show Pony.

Thanks.

Karen Shaw

Fiddlestix Miniatures & Shetlands aka Fiddlestix Pony Farm

website: http://www.fiddlestixponyfarm.com

 

[Leeana]

Shetlands are a ton of fun, i much prefer showing shetland, i actually prefer my bigger ASPC ponies over the amhr/aspc horses, but it is really not fair to generalize them all into one hot breed as they are NOT. I had / have two geldings that were the farthest thing from hot, gentle as can be, but they sure knew how to "show". On the opposite end though, i have a classic 45" filly that would blow your mind and is on a whole other level of "hot"..she is on fire.

I think canada is actually having a show with aspc classes offered,,,i think that is to neat!

 

[Lisa Strass]

Lisa,
Since Devon got such a nice boy from you, maybe you need to send a girl to Ontario. I'm thinking Pearl would love it at Shiloh Farms

Hey Matt~ You've got good taste!

Maybe we can hook you up with a 2009 foal.

 

[txminipinto]

Like many others here, I started out with the minis after a lifetime in the big horse arena. However, I was quickly drawn to the hotter shetland. I will have to disagree with Lisa that they take longer to train. Shetlands, IMO, are much FASTER to train and like Karen said, REMEMBER. If they pick up a bad habit and it's rewarded, they will do it again, again, and again. But if you nip it in the bud immediately, they will never try it again. My personal preference is the bigger shetland, 43-46" as I can look them straight in the eye (except for Texaco - have to look UP at him). They are much more sensitive so much more responsive to cues and such.

If you want a show horse, get a shetland. In the small equine industry, you can't beat their love of the ring.

I do have both shetlands and minis in the barn and I have to spend more time training the minis than the shetlands. It's just an observation I've made at my house.

I have 4 coming this spring/summer: 2 out of LOUD Pinto World Champion mares. 3 classics and 1 modern type. Half will be foundation sealed, but probably not foundation type.

 

[The Simple Life Farm]

I started out w/ the minis, and I love them to death!!!! But decided to venture into the shetlands. My husband didn't want me getting one of those "crazy shetlands". We started w/ a 5 mo old filly, and now have added two 3yo mares.

I just sent a beautiful mare to Texas, she was made for a beginner or child, calm, easy going, would do anything you asked of her and then stand for hours on end waiting for whatever comes next.
I also sent a little 'hotter' mare to Texas with her, she is a spotlight pony - has lots of gusto, but no bad habits.

I am proud to say that I own the 2 classic ponies Trace is referring to. Yes Midge is the sweetest girl in the world, she is like my minis. And Ruffles does have some spark and attitude about her, but in a very good way. So I am expecting Ruffles to outshine Midge in the ring, stictly on her attitude. She is more alert, but NOT CRAZY. Sorta like a "mini stallion", just enough presence to her, but not overwhelming.