Beaulieu road pony sales. (New forest)

[KellyJoArnold]

I've been before a couple of times, and am thinking of getting a 3 - 4year old colt/gelding from there, to back and hack on through winter.
I've never bought from there, i do know auctioneers and a few of the commoners, but was wondering if i could hear previous experiance in buying from beaulieu, prices, how long it took to 'tame' the ponys so to speak! and what you are doing with the pony / horses now!

Pictures would also be wonderful!!

Thanks.
Kelly!

 

[joeanne]

An untouched 3-4 yr old is not going to be a 5 min job.
You will be lucky to get it from unhandled, to backed in time to hack out over winter.

 

[KellyJoArnold]

I know there are a few that go up there with basic handling (Halter broken, leading etc..) aswell as the wild ones straight off the forest.

I meant, handle over winter, basic groundwork, possibly leading out on bridleways / roads and then back late next summer/winter.
I know, it all depends on the horse etc..

 

[Cocorules]

No experience of the auction itself but I bought an unhandled pony from one of the agisters. Had no one bought her before she would have gone to the sales. She was particularly nervous according to the agisters family and I think that from her point of view it was better she did not in through the sales.

She is very sweet natured and has come on really well but she has not been hurried at all. I would recommend Sarah Weston's book No Fear No Force which is about starting unhandled semi feral ponies. It does take longer with them as they have learnt self preservation but they are also quite savvy having been out on the forest so going through water and ditches is dead easy.

Given the choice I would buy direct from a commoner than from the sales as it gives you a chance to talk to the owner and get more background and is less stressful for an unhandled pony.