Stenners
Well-Known Member
Does anyone have or has had a Bodmin Moor horse or pony? I've heard they are brilliant ones to get! If you do, pics of them would be great! I understand they are usually Cob crosses with something!
Bodmin Moor Horse/Pony
- Thread starter Stenners
- Start date
Britestar
Well-Known Member
I had one years ago. She was my first pony. Had a hole in her ear where her tag had been.
Her name was Free, because you couldn't catch her
Her name was Free, because you couldn't catch her
Clodagh
Well-Known Member
@Spotherisk did have a couple I think.
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
Both of mine in my avatar were bred on the moor.
Tinner (with me on him) was a Penpont pony, by Cornish Jayson and out of a pony mare. I had him from a weanling and he was pts aged ten with long term complications arising from AM and the laminitis that followed.
Harley I had from a five year old, in this pic he’s 30 I think - pts June 2023 aged 31. A very healthy, easy boy, rock solid in traffic, loading etc, nannied younger horses, enjoyed a good gallop, showed (badly, but we gave it a go!), pleasure rides etc. My first horse. Out of a spotted pony mare, and the stallion was a red roan Cleveland Bay x.
Both very kind horses, Harley was about 14.3, Tinner probably 15hh/15.1.
Would I have them again? Harley yes, in a heartbeat. Tinner, with his ongoing issues, and possibly although we never looked for a diagnosis, neurological issues, which caused balance, loading, stabling, travelling issues, I’m not so sure.
I did see a couple of Penpont foals for sale on Horsemart yesterday and noted that these days they are advertised as wormed and halter broken, which is good.
Tinner (with me on him) was a Penpont pony, by Cornish Jayson and out of a pony mare. I had him from a weanling and he was pts aged ten with long term complications arising from AM and the laminitis that followed.
Harley I had from a five year old, in this pic he’s 30 I think - pts June 2023 aged 31. A very healthy, easy boy, rock solid in traffic, loading etc, nannied younger horses, enjoyed a good gallop, showed (badly, but we gave it a go!), pleasure rides etc. My first horse. Out of a spotted pony mare, and the stallion was a red roan Cleveland Bay x.
Both very kind horses, Harley was about 14.3, Tinner probably 15hh/15.1.
Would I have them again? Harley yes, in a heartbeat. Tinner, with his ongoing issues, and possibly although we never looked for a diagnosis, neurological issues, which caused balance, loading, stabling, travelling issues, I’m not so sure.
I did see a couple of Penpont foals for sale on Horsemart yesterday and noted that these days they are advertised as wormed and halter broken, which is good.
HopOnTrot
Well-Known Member
Not a Bodmin pony but I have a forest bred New Forest and you couldn’t ask for a better temperament. I think it’s a solid upbringing seeing sights in the safety of a herd.
Stenners
Well-Known Member
They are both gorgeous! I've heard some of the farmers are quite rough with some of them?
Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
A lot of the moor breds are quite jumpy, been rounded up in the drifts, shoved through the market, been injected for microchips and often ear tagged as part of their first experience with people.
I don’t think there’s much deliberate cruelty but there’s a lot of rough and ready handling. The ear tagged ones are often very wary about having their heads and necks touched, which makes getting bridles on interesting.
dorsetladette
Well-Known Member
I shared a yard with some friends that had dartmoor hill ponies. They were lovely little things (all between 10hh and 12hh) but two were in foal when they arrived which was not disclosed/known at time of purchase, which was a bit of a shock. All became really lovely childrens ponies. Although two had rather 'interesting' confirmation and one of these has recently been PTS due to this becoming an issue for her.
Nasicus
Well-Known Member
Tinner is the spit of a mare a used to own, also from Cornwall way (Newhouse, not Penpont)!
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
He was out of a mare from Lanner.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
Tinner I bought from David Stephens 
he had about 40 weanlings and yearlings barned for the winter.
Harley was a private sale near North Hill on the edge of Bodmin moor.
he had about 40 weanlings and yearlings barned for the winter.Harley was a private sale near North Hill on the edge of Bodmin moor.
paddy555
Well-Known Member
I 'm not familiar with David Stephens so I googled him. I put in "David Stephens horse" and was surprised by the results.Tinner I bought from David Stephens
Harley was a private sale near North Hill on the edge of Bodmin moor.
Spotherisk
Well-Known Member
I had no issues with him at all, but didn’t know much about him at that point either.
Wishfilly
Well-Known Member
Not me personally but there's a couple at the yard I livery at, and I know someone who breeds ponies on the moor. They often come out a useful size 13hh+ (compared to Dartmoor hill ponies) and seem to have decent temperaments. One of the ones on the yard is a little tricky to catch, but they all respect fencing and are happy to be stabled and are generally good citizens.
The ones I know didn't come off the moor in the drifts- the best one was bought direct from his breeder. ETA, I'm happy to recommend the breeder via PM.
TBF I know someone who bought a few horses off him over the years and had no issues, but obviously the other stuff means I would not touch him with a barge pole. When I was younger I was warned never to be alone with him!
The ones I know didn't come off the moor in the drifts- the best one was bought direct from his breeder. ETA, I'm happy to recommend the breeder via PM.
TBF I know someone who bought a few horses off him over the years and had no issues, but obviously the other stuff means I would not touch him with a barge pole. When I was younger I was warned never to be alone with him!
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Snowfilly
Well-Known Member
Back in the dim distant past, I was warned never to be alone with David Stephens and I’ve warned a few young girls since then.
Horse wise, I’ve brought a few off of him - hardly touched youngsters - and as long as you go in looking for the problems, you’ll generally come out ok if you keep your wits about you. He’s had a few genuinely nice ones over the years as well as the dodgepots.
Horse wise, I’ve brought a few off of him - hardly touched youngsters - and as long as you go in looking for the problems, you’ll generally come out ok if you keep your wits about you. He’s had a few genuinely nice ones over the years as well as the dodgepots.