can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden Archives - Shetland Pony Club can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden Archives - Shetland Pony Club

Can I keep a Shetland Pony in my garden?


We often get asked at the ranch “Can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden?… he seems very small, it should be easy.”  This weeks video is one of the most popular on our YouTube channel Shetland Pony Club TV, so join Rosemary for this fun video.

The truth is that although it may seem a good idea, Shetland ponies actually need an acre of land to sustain them – that’s a pretty big garden. Ponies will unfortunately not only eat your lawn but they love going in the flower borders and eating your roses, shrubs and any fruit bushes. They do a lot of poops which need clearing up and although manure is good for the garden, unfortunately ponies wee does ruin lawns and makes most parents rather cross. Ponies also love galloping around which mucks up the garden and they need to be with a friend…so that means you need two acre garden.

Ponies also need a little shelter or stable which you may not have in your garden – so although it seems like a fun idea, in practice it doesn’t really work and a field is much better.

Watch the video to find out more


Last chance to ride before our Winter Break

Mini Member at Shetland Pony Club

  1. Book a ride before we close in December – Join us for Starter Rides and Own a Pony Experiences
  2. Get your Christmas sorted with:
  1. Book a Pony Birthday Party for 2026 – bookings are now open online here

From Rosemary, the Shetland Pony Club Team and all the Shetland ponies

book now


 Ride with us this November before we close for the winter

 Starter Rides

Starter Rides are 45 minutes long and specially designed first-riding experiences for children. Includes pony grooming and a ride on their own adorable Shetland pony. Followed by a certificate presentation. £55 per child. Each child will have their own pony and helper. Children MUST be 3 years old at the time of their ride.

Starter Ride in the moon daisies at Shetland Pony Club

  • Sunday 16 November – 9am – SPACES
  • Sunday 23 November – 9am, 12:15pm – SPACES
  • Sunday 30 November – 12:15pm – SPACES
  • ALL OTHER TIMES FULL

book now


1. Ride with us this November – Own a Pony Experiences

Own a Pony Experiences are two hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4. Includes lots of riding and pony care. Followed by a rosette presentation. Each child will have their own pony and helper.

Children love their ponies at Shetland Pony Club

Two-hour session – £85 per child

  • Saturday 15 November – 14:15pm – FULL
  • Sunday 23 November 14.15 spaces last chance for 2026 

book now


2. Christmas sorted with Pony Gift Vouchers

Gift Vouchers from Shetland Pony Club

Shetland Pony Club Gift Vouchers are wonderful gifts for anyone who loves Shetland ponies.  You can choose Gift Vouchers for a specific ride, or an amount of money. There are two formats to choose from:

  • Print-at-home Gift Vouchers are available instantly for you to customise with your message and photo, then download and print at home.
  • Hard Copy Gift Vouchers – beautifully printed vouchers for any pony activity are presented in lovely gold envelopes and posted to a location of your choice by Royal Mail, First Class (£2.50 extra for P&P). They are for specific types of ride (e.g. Starter Ride) only.

Find out more here


3. Give a Pony for Christmas with Pony Share for 2026 

 Learn new skills, be healthy and make friends?

We have one space for Pony Share Members and Mini Members now and for 2026. 

You can experience a pony of your own, the easy way, with Pony Share Membership. Learn to ride, build a bond with your pony, come regularly to our club and enjoy pony fun in the countryside.

Pony Share Member at Shetland Pony Club

  • Pony Membership – a pony of your own each week, 2 hours, age 4+
  • Mini Membership – a pony of your own each week, 45 minutes, age 3+

Available Now:

  • We have spaces for Pony Share Membership and Mini Membership now
  • You can also get a pony share for Christmas with a gorgeous pack under your tree and a pony from March 2026

Interested? Contact us on 07734 950 309 or info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk


 Dates for Pony Parties 2026 now released

Learn to ride at Shetland Pony Parties – wonderful learn to ride Shetland pony parties for children aged 3 – 10 years old.

Use of a private facility, your children can bond with our adorable ponies and learn to ride them, creating magical memories for your child’s birthday. Two hours. Award winning parties with lots of five star reviews.

Our parties for 2025 are now all fully booked…We are now accepting bookings for 2026.

  • 2025 pony parties all full
  • 2026 Maxi and Mini Pony Parties now available to book from 28 February 2026

Can’t see the date you’d like? Contact us for other dates on: 07734 950 309 or email: info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk

Unboxing new Shetland pony saddles

This week, we are unboxing new Shetland pony saddles, all the way from America.

Join the children at Shetland Pony Club, as they unbox the new Shetland pony saddles, and see which ones you like best.

Which one does Batman try on?  Take a look and choose your favourite coloured saddle.

Watch the video to find out more:

Half Term riding at Shetland Pony Club

We have a full programme of pony riding for one week for October Half Term from Sat 26 October to Sun 3 November, including our famous Halloween Pumpkin Rides. Do book ahead for:

Pony Mornings – are 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. Children enjoy both riding and pony care. They cost £55 per child.

Starter Rides  are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 2½ years old. They cost £40 per child.

Halloween Pumpkin Rides – come and enjoy our legendary Halloween Pumpkin Rides, themed pony treasure hunts for pony-mad witches and wizards.  Enjoy 1½ hours of pony riding fun. From 4 years old, £55 per child.

  • Halloween Pumpkin Ride – Saturday 26 October 2019
  • Halloween Pumpkin Ride – Wednesday 30 October 2019
  • Halloween Pumpkin Ride – Thursday 31 October 2019

2.15pm – 3.45pm

BOOK NOW

Any questions? Do contact Liz in the office for more help on: 07734 950309 or info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk

Small Ponies…Big Dreams from
Rosemary, Liz and all the ponies and the Team at Shetland Pony Club

Can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden?

In this week’s pony advice video, Rosemary answers one of your frequently asked questions: can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden?

How much space do you need to keep a Shetland pony?

It may be more than you think. You need about one acre of land to keep a Shetland pony, that’s over 4,000 square metres and is a bigger space than many gardens.

What does a Shetland pony eat?

Shetland ponies love grass but the grass on your lawn may have too much sugar in it for horses. It’s better to feed them on longer coarse grass which is less rich.  Ponies may need hay in the winter, which is quite messy in a garden and it can get muddy in the place where you feed him. Shetland ponies will also eat your roses, fruit and flowers, which might get them into trouble!

Will a Shetland pony damage my lawn?

Yes, Shetland ponies’ hooves, even if unshod, will damage your lawn surface over time.  They can create ruts and mud and break down the edges of your lawn too. They also like to roll and play, and this can damage the plants.

Does a Shetland pony need shelter?

Yes, this is more often to provide shade in the summer, rather than protection from the cold in the winter.  A stable is good, but a shady tree is also a great natural place for a pony to shelter.

Will a Shetland pony fertilise my garden?

Shetland ponies do up to 6 poops a day, so that’s a lot of clearing up to do.  The poop can be great as a garden fertiliser, as long as it’s in the right place. However, if he spends a penny on your lawn, this can burn the grass.

So, can I keep a Shetland pony in my garden?

Well, you can, but he will be much happier in a field where he has the right grass, space and can enjoy himself with his friends.

Watch the video to find out more:

Book now for summer pony riding

We’d love you to join us for pony fun. Do book ahead as the ponies are very popular.

Which pony ride should I choose?

Starter Rides  are 45 minutes long and are specially designed as first riding experiences for children from age 2½ years old. They cost £40 per child.

Pony Mornings – are 2 hours long and are delightful early riding and learning experiences for children from age 4 years old. They cost £55 per child.

Summer pony camp days and weeks – enjoy the whole day with your favourite Shetland Pony. Learn to ride him, look after him and enjoy being with him, all day long. 9.30am – 4pm, summer holidays only. Age 5+. £125 per day or £500 per week.

Summer Pony Day Camp Dates for 2019 are:

  • Monday 22 July – Thursday 25 July 2019
  • Monday 29 July – Thursday 1 August 2019
  • Monday 5 August – Thursday 8 August 2019
  • Monday 19 August – Thursday 22 August 2019

BOOK NOW

Any questions? Do contact Liz in the office for more help on: 07734 950309 or info@shetlandponyclub.co.uk

Small Ponies…Big Dreams from
Rosemary, Liz and all the ponies and the Team at Shetland Pony Club