Alternatives to a Dales Pony
- Thread starter southerncomfort
- Start date
Ownedby4horses
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JJS
Well-Known Member
I’d also love a Dales, but have noticed how scarce they seem to be. I agree that there is the same problem with Fells too, so next on my list would be a nice cob.
Lots of the Traditionals have a heavy infusion of Dales and Fell blood along the way, so you could probably find a not dissimilar type if you keep an eye out to see what’s about.
Lots of the Traditionals have a heavy infusion of Dales and Fell blood along the way, so you could probably find a not dissimilar type if you keep an eye out to see what’s about.
Ownedby4horses
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Myloubylou
Well-Known Member
13,2hh Show Quality 7yo Cob Mare- fantastic to hack
https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...w-quality-7yo-cob-mare-fantastic-to-hack.html
https://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/...w-quality-7yo-cob-mare-fantastic-to-hack.html
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I have only ever had 1 youngster at a time and they have always gone in with whatever horses I have had. The most extreme was my extremely arrogant arab yearling colt when in with my 27yo. Worked perfectly well. The older horse was very tolerant and the arab was fine.
The problem may be making a pair a threesome rather with any other horse not just a youngster.
Gloi
Too little time, too much to read.
Are you keeping your eyes on the Fell/Dales society sales lists, something will come up on there
http://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/sales_list.htm
https://www.dalespony.org/ponies-for-sale-wanted/
A registered pony will of course give a lot more opportunities to compete than a crossbreed
http://www.fellponysociety.org.uk/sales_list.htm
https://www.dalespony.org/ponies-for-sale-wanted/
A registered pony will of course give a lot more opportunities to compete than a crossbreed
Roasted Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
My two year old has been turned out with a 19/20 year old for a year now. They play, he learns manners and he has companionship. I don’t really place a lot of stock in babies being turned out with babies, yes it’s a wonderful thing to see lots of similar aged horses playing but the older gent keeps my boy in line but watching them playing is so funny 
SO1
Well-Known Member
How about a new forest. They are still fairly rare but easier to come by than Fells & Dales. Some of them are really quite chunky if you like a substantial type.
This is my new forest he is a bit quirky but definitely good doer type.
This is my new forest he is a bit quirky but definitely good doer type.
The Fuzzy Furry
Getting old disgracefully
OP, look up Nicola Evans (Helmside) on Facebook, on her page go to photos, she has pony albums with brief description of a number of Fell ponies for sale. She's very honest about them.
Worth going as you'd see several in the one place.
Also worth contacting breeders directly, even for an unbacked one.
Happy to send you more info on others if you want.
Worth going as you'd see several in the one place.
Also worth contacting breeders directly, even for an unbacked one.
Happy to send you more info on others if you want.
Cloball
Well-Known Member
I quite fancy a couple of her ponies.
Courbette
Well-Known Member
Have you tried a wanted ad? Good ponies are often snapped up before they hit the open market so you could try this before you write of your dream pony.
I went pony trekking at Bigland Hall in Cumbria and I’m sure they were looking up set up a second site to promote either fells or dales. I don’t know if they did do this but I actually rode a Dales x on my trek so they definitely had them. Could be worth seeing if they had anything suitable they would be willing to part with or checking with similar establishments with times being as they are?
I went pony trekking at Bigland Hall in Cumbria and I’m sure they were looking up set up a second site to promote either fells or dales. I don’t know if they did do this but I actually rode a Dales x on my trek so they definitely had them. Could be worth seeing if they had anything suitable they would be willing to part with or checking with similar establishments with times being as they are?
Quigleyandme
Well-Known Member
I’ve never so much as sat on an Arab but I have to agree with MC that they have wonderful temperaments. I used to do a lot of pleasure rides and non-competitive endurance on my Dales and nothing seems to phase them or make them show any irritation as they lapped us three times.
palo1
Well-Known Member
Arabs are so wonderful But if you are not sold on them or Welshies anymore how about a glamorous Haflinger?
But if you are not sold on them or Welshies anymore how about a glamorous Haflinger? Jill's Gym Karma
Well-Known Member
Can I just say that this should be the title of your memoirs.
Pearlsasinger
Up in the clouds
My 16hh mare looks very similar to an over-sized Dales. Of course you couldn't show her as such, if that's what you were hoping to do.
cblover
Well-Known Member
Have you checked out Roandale Stud...Charlie and Gina Parker. They breed dales and have some lovely foals this year. Based near Darlington if I’ve got my geography right.
They specialise in the rare roan colour and they’re on Facebook too. Lovely people and great breeding.
They specialise in the rare roan colour and they’re on Facebook too. Lovely people and great breeding.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I did see her before but not sure how much of a project she is. Might have a chat with the seller.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
Gorgeous!
To be honest I'm not actively looking so much as just keeping an eye out and hoping something falls in to my lap! ?
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
Not really, even the studs round here tend to stable everything all winter.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
I went from a Fell to an anglo arab.
Although I still very much like the large british native types, that anglo was so amazing that after my spinal injury (not related to the AA) I bought another amazing AA before getting into the purebred arabs. I think if you want a good hacking horse, you can't beat an arab or high % PBA. They are definitely good doers and live out no trouble. They should also be an easy step down from a Welsh without being too dull for you.
Some of your criteria will vary individual to individual of any breed depending on how they've been brought up, trained and what they have been exposed to. In your situation I'd look at horses that have done a bit of endurance. They should have been exposed to a variety of things and do the job you want whatever breed they are (but definitely look at the arab ones
Great Post and really helpful. I like the idea of a step down from a welshie. ?
Something that's done a bit of low level endurance would definitely be worth keeping an eye out for.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
I had a big black cob on loan a few years back. She also looked like an overgrown Dales. Would be lovely to have something similar to her. She was fab.
southerncomfort
Well-Known Member
Yes I follow them on FB. They have started advertising this years foals. I'd absolutely love to but I just can't with my 2 older ladies. Not the ideal set up for a baby unfortunately.
Pippity
Well-Known Member
You haven't met my friend's Arab! A lovely boy, but he spends more time going sideways than forwards.
Blanche
Well-Known Member
I second putting a wanted ad on the Dales website.
katastrophykat
Well-Known Member
Have you checked the sales list on the website, and tried a wanted ad? The breeder list is on the same page-
https://www.dalespony.org/ponies-for-sale-wanted/
I would recommend highly anything at all from the Nipna Stud- they breed phenomenal ponies and are very well started!
https://www.dalespony.org/ponies-for-sale-wanted/
I would recommend highly anything at all from the Nipna Stud- they breed phenomenal ponies and are very well started!
palo1
Well-Known Member
Meowy Catkin
Meow!
Oh yes, there are hot ones and as long as the owner/rider gets on with that kind of temperament it's fine.
I have found that my grey who has a higher % of crabbet bloodlines needs a lot stimulus to get on her toes. If she was a human, she'd be a very sensible librarian who enforced the 'quiet' rule very strictly. I think she'd wear tweed.
SatansLittleHelper
Well-Known Member
I have literally nothing useful to add except to say that I really love Dales ponies ❤❤
maya2008
Well-Known Member
New Forest? I have two youngsters and they are great! The first was in a field with older mares for a year and was fine. I don’t see a problem with a 3yo in with older horses so long as they get their daily entertainment through you. My two youngsters bicker a bit but my arthritic 21yo mare is the one who plays!