katastrophykat
Well-Known Member
I’ve got to a point (for many reasons) when I need to downsize ponies.
I currently own 5, one is on loan elsewhere and very happy there- I’m not expecting this to change any time soon. Four ponies at livery now close to home.
Two that are staying- I have a 5 year old fickle daughter who sometimes wants to ride, and I drive them both.
12 hh 5 year old ride and drive, single and pairs- talented, steady brain, has potential. Not a First year FR but a solid FR after that, and jumps.
12hh 6 year old- ride and drive, single and pairs, LR and FYFR/FR
the two that are maybe going-
12hh Rising 17, lami prone with separation issues- found him a LWVB home locally and he’s going at the end of the month as a companion/occasional LR pony for a tiny dot but won’t ever be asked to do anything alone. I’ve been to visit, it’s a lovely private yard and the people are sensible and used to managing lami/natives.
then there’s the rising 3yo to make 13.2 sec C. I bought him last year when a Connie yearling fell through and he was an impulse buy. He should make a decent ride and drive, has a sensible head and is generally a brave type happy to walk out alone/stable however long needed/live out etc. I like to bring the ponies on myself to ride and drive (they go to a producer for some ridden work after being backed at home and the same driven, they go away for some ‘establishing’ work once they’re in the vehicle and walking calmly in the yard and on the road). So I know them inside out.
The debate is whether to go all the way from 4 to 2 or whether to soldier on with the three year old once his very clingy companion is rehomed. I don’t feel like I’ve bonded with him but to be fair, I’ve done very little with him. My pair of ponies that are staying are easy to handle/manage, they just make him look difficult! ? he’s itchy in the summer- easily managed with a fly sheet, not what I would call full Sweet Itch.
The intention for him is to come out as a single driving pony, at driving trials and local shows, and be my little one’s 13.2 for showing/dressage/PC/driving once she’s out of the FR pony from the pair. I’ve been weighing up the decision for the last three months (I know!!) and it’s got to the point of needing an outside view.
pics from him doing the very basics of work last year- he was walking out once a week or so for 20 mins with either his open bridle or driving bridle on and that was it- he was lovely to work with, seems to enjoy being out and about.
WWYD?
I currently own 5, one is on loan elsewhere and very happy there- I’m not expecting this to change any time soon. Four ponies at livery now close to home.
Two that are staying- I have a 5 year old fickle daughter who sometimes wants to ride, and I drive them both.
12 hh 5 year old ride and drive, single and pairs- talented, steady brain, has potential. Not a First year FR but a solid FR after that, and jumps.
12hh 6 year old- ride and drive, single and pairs, LR and FYFR/FR
the two that are maybe going-
12hh Rising 17, lami prone with separation issues- found him a LWVB home locally and he’s going at the end of the month as a companion/occasional LR pony for a tiny dot but won’t ever be asked to do anything alone. I’ve been to visit, it’s a lovely private yard and the people are sensible and used to managing lami/natives.
then there’s the rising 3yo to make 13.2 sec C. I bought him last year when a Connie yearling fell through and he was an impulse buy. He should make a decent ride and drive, has a sensible head and is generally a brave type happy to walk out alone/stable however long needed/live out etc. I like to bring the ponies on myself to ride and drive (they go to a producer for some ridden work after being backed at home and the same driven, they go away for some ‘establishing’ work once they’re in the vehicle and walking calmly in the yard and on the road). So I know them inside out.
The debate is whether to go all the way from 4 to 2 or whether to soldier on with the three year old once his very clingy companion is rehomed. I don’t feel like I’ve bonded with him but to be fair, I’ve done very little with him. My pair of ponies that are staying are easy to handle/manage, they just make him look difficult! ? he’s itchy in the summer- easily managed with a fly sheet, not what I would call full Sweet Itch.
The intention for him is to come out as a single driving pony, at driving trials and local shows, and be my little one’s 13.2 for showing/dressage/PC/driving once she’s out of the FR pony from the pair. I’ve been weighing up the decision for the last three months (I know!!) and it’s got to the point of needing an outside view.
pics from him doing the very basics of work last year- he was walking out once a week or so for 20 mins with either his open bridle or driving bridle on and that was it- he was lovely to work with, seems to enjoy being out and about.
WWYD?
