southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
I've wanted a Dales pony since I was a girl. Where other girls had posters of Duran Duran on their bedroom walls, my walls were covered with pictures of Dales ponies cantering across a field with mane and tail wafting behind them!
Life being what it is this year, I decided Life Is Short, Buy The Dales Pony. However, it is not that simple. For starters they are like hens teeth. And the rare adults I have seen have almost all been produced for the show ring and come with an eye watering price tag. I would love a baby, and their are a fair few for sale now, but it wouldn't work. My two ladies are 14 and 20. Not suitable companions for a baby.
So I'm not sure what to do. Historically I accidentally kept buying welsh chestnut mares (had 3 of them), but having lost my favourite welsh chestnut mare (and in my opinion, the best horse who ever lived) last year I don't think I could have another in all honesty. And much as I love the welshies, this might be my last pony and I'd quite like something easy this time!
So here is my list of must haves. If I can't have a Dales Pony, what will do the job for me?
Must be super safe hacking both alone and in company.
Must be excellent in traffic, particularly farm machinery, pickups towing rattly trailers, kamikaze cyclists etc
Must not be scared of sheep or cattle as we are surrounded by them.
Must be a good doer to live out with my two girls.
Other than that I'm completely open minded. Basically I want something easy just to have fun on.
(I'm going to end up with another welsh chestnut mare aren't I?)
Life being what it is this year, I decided Life Is Short, Buy The Dales Pony. However, it is not that simple. For starters they are like hens teeth. And the rare adults I have seen have almost all been produced for the show ring and come with an eye watering price tag. I would love a baby, and their are a fair few for sale now, but it wouldn't work. My two ladies are 14 and 20. Not suitable companions for a baby.
So I'm not sure what to do. Historically I accidentally kept buying welsh chestnut mares (had 3 of them), but having lost my favourite welsh chestnut mare (and in my opinion, the best horse who ever lived) last year I don't think I could have another in all honesty. And much as I love the welshies, this might be my last pony and I'd quite like something easy this time!
So here is my list of must haves. If I can't have a Dales Pony, what will do the job for me?
Must be super safe hacking both alone and in company.
Must be excellent in traffic, particularly farm machinery, pickups towing rattly trailers, kamikaze cyclists etc
Must not be scared of sheep or cattle as we are surrounded by them.
Must be a good doer to live out with my two girls.
Other than that I'm completely open minded. Basically I want something easy just to have fun on.
(I'm going to end up with another welsh chestnut mare aren't I?)