Driving People what breed/type do you prefer

Leo Walker

Leo Walker

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At some point in the not to distant future I'm probably going to be in the market for another driving pony/horse. Leo is broken and its not looking hopefully for any real recovery. I'm absolutely gutted but trying to plan ahead to cheer myself up. I had a quick flick through some ads this morning and the number of potential driving ponies is mind boggling!

Given the choice to start from scratch what type/breed would you go for?

The only thing I definitely cant have is a mini as my yard just isnt set up for them. Must be ok with 2 big adults up, although its very flat where we live so no hills to worry about! I prefer something with a bit of spark to it, but I've been completely spoilt with Leo who will gallop round obstacles then 2 minutes later walk quietly with a total beginner. I'm not a huge fan of reams of hair, which makes it even more ridiculous that I end up with traditional cobs all the time, but that wouldnt be a deal breaker.

I want to do driving trials at a low level, drive out on the roads a couple of times a week and school a few times. Whatever I get needs to be sound and tough as I am fed up to the back teeth of ponies breaking despite being treated like million pound racehorses!
 
Welsh without a doubt especially if you like spark. Our dartmoor is exclusively a driving pony he doesnt understand being ridden. He is very smart and as black as coal
 
Oooh ohh ooooh I don't drive but I just LOVE the driving welshies, saw a desperately smart one on facebook the other day.
 
So sorry to hear about Leo. Hope he will surprise you and be ok.
I don’t personally drive these days (used to with a Shetland) but how about a welsh cob? They are fantastic for driving.
 
Get an Irish cob! If Loa really doesn't get on with riding as we go on she'll probably become a driving horse and we're hoping for her to be broken to drive at some point anyway. Got everything crossed for Leo.
Cobs xx
 
I love the way welshies look, but I just cannot be bothered with welsh dramatics! I know they dont all have them. I had one who was the safest, sanest pony ever, but theres an awful lot of them prone to being divas!
 
Leo Walker said:
I love the way welshies look, but I just cannot be bothered with welsh dramatics! I know they dont all have them. I had one who was the safest, sanest pony ever, but theres an awful lot of them prone to being divas!
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...*gasp*

Noooooooo.....

*shakes head*





:biggrin3::biggrin3::biggrin3::biggrin3::biggrin3::biggrin3:
 
That's bummer news about Leo :(.

You're four years too late, but my 13hh RSPCA foster piebald cob Lucky Charm would have done you a blinder. She'll be 7 now.

Brains, soundness, temperament, attitude and sassiness all rolled up into one lovely package. I was tempted to take up driving in order to keep her. I think her adoption fee was around £400.

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I hope you find something suitable soon.
 
You might have to take a trip to France, but have a look at Normandy Cobs. Quite sporty for their type, hard as nails, and not very hairy. I've been chatting to a breeder about their NCXSelle Francais sport horses, but was quite taken with the purebreds too.
 
We had a little Caspian as a driving pony once. Wonderfully smart and not at all suited to being a kids pony! They are pretty rare though but definitely worth the effort of getting one :)
 
How about a Fell pony? Ok the hair is extensive BUT that is the only con! They are stocky, well built, light on their feet, tough, live out in all weathers, the majority are eager to please and they are very quick to learn. They are quick enough and small enough for obstacles. They are weight carriers under saddle and the majority are so eager to please yet sane. And they only come in Black, Grey or Bay so easy to keep clean if you go for the darker colours! They also look awesome in the show ring in a cart!
 
Tiddlypom said:
That's bummer news about Leo :(.

You're four years too late, but my 13hh RSPCA foster piebald cob Lucky Charm would have done you a blinder.
I hope you find something suitable soon.
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A couple of people have suggested a charity rehome, and it seems like a good idea. I get to do a good thing but with back up for my continuing failing health. They seem to have a surplus of medium sized ponies that need a job a well.

Leo gets his third and final opinion on Saturday so I havent given up all hope yet, but hes very angry and sore and thats not ok. He deserves more than that.
 
Auslander said:
You might have to take a trip to France, but have a look at Normandy Cobs. Quite sporty for their type, hard as nails, and not very hairy. I've been chatting to a breeder about their NCXSelle Francais sport horses, but was quite taken with the purebreds too.
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Now those I like! but I'd want one about 13.2h. Its much easier to get round an obstacle if they are small and nippy!
 
ihatework said:
What about a Newfie - tough smart little blighters
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Was just going to chip in to support the NF. My current drive of preference (and I have a field full of driveable natives of all types and sizes) is a 13hh NF stallion. Seriously, he goes like a Ferrari; plenty of zing, but with sense. Will gallop flat out, weaving in and out of whatever, then pull up quietly at a road junction with lorries inches from his nose. All barefoot too.

Rather than looking for a breed, I recommend something very close-coupled. More power with a short turning circle!
 
texenstar said:
We had a little Caspian as a driving pony once. Wonderfully smart and not at all suited to being a kids pony! They are pretty rare though but definitely worth the effort of getting one :)
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The RSPCA in Surrey have 2 bay Caspian geldings, both 2 year olds. I'd be very tempted but one isn't suitable to turn out with mares.
 
I would have said a Welsh C or D, but if their hysterics don't appeal to you, how about a Dales? Fells are similar, but the one who shares a field with my horse is an acquired taste, to put it lightly, and based on him, I don't know that I'd want one myself. Of course, you could just get another Trad - we all know that they're the best :D

Whatever you decide, I really hope Leo surprises you and is back to being fighting fit soon. You've had enough bad luck already, and he seems like such a wonderful boy. You both deserve a full and fast recovery.
 
My perfect driving pony, aiming for 13.2/14 hands would have a dash of dales, a dash of hackney and a dollop of cob. However I would not be looking at breeds but at the pony itself.
 
The best driving horse I was a Dutch warmblood he was a lovely lovely horse and a great driving horse .
Because if I drove again it would be to do driving trials I would not go for any form of cob except a Welsh D because many cobs just don't have the go for driving trials .
A sane section D would be something I would consider but quite a few are insane in a carriage so I would want the right one .
But trotter and trotter crosses do very well assuming they are sane enough I have always fancied driving a big Connie .
But all I really want is that warmblood back he was just lovely .
 
Wouldn't consider myself a driving person really but I've recently broke my Highland to drive. He has oodles of character so I'll be biased and say Highland
 
So I did it the other way round but my two Hackney crosses were bred for driving, *touches all available wood* both seem sound and sturdy, lots of spark and utterly lovely on the ground. My two are too bog for your needs but I guess that's due to what they were crossed with (Friesian and Holstein), but they've turned my head towards the Hackney breed.
 
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