Eightball is a beautiful Jet Black Shetland Pony. He stands around 11.3 hands tall.
He was the perfect little pony to give our neighbors grandkids(who had very little experience)
the confidence they needed to improve their riding skills. Both of them are now riding
nice ponies that are a step up in manageability and have no time for Eightball.

Eightball was an auction rescue from before they outlawed slaughter. His feet were horrible
when we got him as a result of a previous founder. With help from an excellent farrier and frequent
trims, his feet are, once again, in proper shape. I would not have him jump because of the previous founder.
He also needs to be dry lotted or kept with a grazing mask in spring and during times of quick grass growth,
but he is a great little riding pony and is easy to work with on the ground. He is not lead in our herd but he is
also not on the bottom. He does not miss a meal as a result of pressure from other horses.
He is not shy about moving bigger horses off the hay pile but he is not mean.

Eightball is very special to us and will only go to an approved home. He needs foot trims every 4 to 6
weeks because his feet grow very quickly. That may be altered depending on the amount of time he is ridden.
He also CAN NOT be left on rich grazing at any time. He is a founder risk because of his previous episode.
He is an ultra easy keeper. We dry- lotted him in Janurary 08 because he was getting too much hay and is too fat.
He needs a job!

We believe Eightball would make a great lesson pony. He did great under saddle even after
a long long hiatus from riding. I do not believe he has been taught to drive but
I think he is an excellent driving prospect. He always shows a very willing personality.

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UPDATE:December 2009

Eightball went to a home last winter that we thought would be perfect for him. It turned out not to be a good fit.
I was told that he did great in an arena setting but would not trail ride and specifically had to be at the end of
the line. Also, he would not obey the commands of his small rider and had bucked some. I believe his
rider was 7. Our neighbors who learned to ride on him prior to his placement were around 12 and 13 years old.

When we got Eightball back, he was very head shy and difficult to catch. We had never experienced this or any
of the behaviors they reported to us with him in the past even when being ridden frequently. He is almost
over being headshy now and is fairly easy to catch. He's almost back to his old self - the pony we knew.

Since coming back home he has been ridden successfully on a couple of trail rides and was required to lead.
He did protest at first and tried to bite another horse but once he realized his rider would not allow that behavior,
he was fine. His rider was a small adult. I believe he will continue to improve. Especially considering we have never
had these issues before.

He is a suitable riding prospect for a confident child or small adult. He is very sweet but does need to know he is not
in charge. Once you establish you are in charge he is a wonderful riding pony. In an arena setting, he is fine for
the beginner. I am willing to consider a free lease to the right home. I do require a contract concerning foot care
and grazing requirements and agreeing that he will be returned to me should he not work out for
any reason. I would also consider leaving him on site for a small boarding fee.