Hi there i wonder if anyone can help me with this!
We purchased a mini shetland 6 months ago he had just been cut he is now 3. He is kept with 2 other horses one is 15.1 mare the other 13.1 gelding. They are all out for a couple of hrs in the day and in at night.
Well bless him he seems to be getting a really bad attitude he has bitten nearly all of us and bosses the bigger horses around He is at his worse at teatime when he will fly over the door at you or if you go in with him back up and try to kick.

We are experienced horse owners but it seems mini's are a different breed!!!!

Do you think we should get something his own size to keep him company he is only a baby so might want someone to play with?

Is it a normal trate of mini's?

The problem i think i could work through but all our ponies live at home and therefore really do have to fit into a family friendly atmosphere. At the mo that isnt happening.
We have the vet coming out to look at him next week to check nothing is causing him any pain ect
Any advice will be gratefully recieved.
Thank you x

At 3yrs old and just been cut i think you need to look at him like he was a colt... as it does take a little while for the hormones to disappear and maybe trying to take him away from the mare would help.

To me its sounds like a domance(sp) issue... as you say he's bossing the other horses about and now trying to boss you about... firm but fair handling and setting the rules now will help.

Getting one his own size may.. or may not help... since he's already got company so its not a lack of company.

I've got miniatures and they never behave like this so its not a breed trait... what was he like when you first got him? as some minis are allowed to get away with murder because they are little and cute..... and this is where a lot of these problem come from.

Depending where you are i'd be willing to see if i could come out and help you... can't be sure of anything but i do have the experiance in the little ones so i can help i will.


RIP Halo - 1998 - 2006. Miss you always.

My little horrors darlings.

Perhaps you could get somebody like Sarah Weston (intelligent horsemanship) to come and work with him...............she has made big improvements on many owners equines from this forum!
Also perhaps longer turnout time would be better for him if it is an option!

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I would second Cheryl's advice.
I have recently had Sarah Weston here at mine running a course with my 3 New Forest foals.
They have gone from being totally unapproachable to cuddle bunnies under her guidance and training. One of them was like flicking a switch, he changed from threatening to kick her to asking for the headcollar in quite literally 10 minutes and has not looked back since!
The really shy one needed a little extra help and so she came back on Thursday for a private session with him and she really has made a huge difference.
It is so exciting to be taught how to manage your animals through your body language with them.
It would certainly be worth emailing her for some guidance, she is a really approachable lovely lady. Click on her name on one of her posts for the address.
Good Luck with your mini.
I also breed minis, but horses not shetlands and I had one little colt who was a total swine, but he did return to being gorgeous once he was cut!!!

And unlike a lot of training(or people in general) Sarah has a lot of respect for these little ponies and treats them like any other horse.

She is great with minis, i've had her out several time... but again depends on where you are and if your within her travelling range..?


RIP Halo - 1998 - 2006. Miss you always.

My little horrors darlings.

hi
i have three shetlands but Harry is the little guy..31 inches
got him at 1 year old.. he run with his girls and also with our geldings.. (in the field were
4 mares and 4 geldings) they all got on great the big boys took no notice when he tried to bit them on the knees as they are all older the girls well the two forest just drop there ears at him, and his two shetland girls took it in their stride..he was great to handle my grandaughter could bring him in on their own
we had him gelded at 6 as he had a teeth twisted thats when all changed.. took weeks to catch him, would bite kick you name it.. but after a few weeks he got over it, now as laid back as ever so dont worry, he will be fine..
well mine one is
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