Hardy healthy breeds

I am five foot six, 10.5 stone and have a 14.2 Highland. I fit him just fine! He's as tough as old boots and very laid back. I also own a 14h Icey and she is very similar in temperament to the Highland and management is the same. Her temperament is lunflappable, she makes the Highland look like a hysteric when out on a hack. :D
 
rowan666 said:
I agree! All the sec Ds bar one I've known have been walking vet bills although they are all mollycoddled which dsnt suit natives.

Arab's are so much hardier than people a lot of people give them credit for, again they don't need rugging to within an inch of their lives, my Anglo rarely needs rugging and my old arab x Connie was as hard as nails and never needed a vet in the 10+ years we had her, barefoot (I point blank do not do shoes on any horse anyway) fab hard feet, great doer and only rugged in minus temps and even then tbh she didn't need one. I would have another arab x Connie in a heartbeat if I could find one! Lol
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^ Totally agree ;)
 
Dumbo said:
I've just bought what I've always wanted... A Norwegian Fjord. They don't get any more hardy than that. Very kind and willing to please. Surprisingly agile too!
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I ride my friend's fjord and she is just great fun. Only 13.2hh and I am 5ft8 but she takes up my leg and rides like a much bigger horse (I feel better on her than another friend's 15.1hh irish cob). She is game for anything and a HUGE character.

They are ridiculously hardy. My friend has had to clip her other fjord because it was sweating up in the field unrugged!

They are phenomenally strong in body and mind so you need them on side, you don't have a hope in hell of making them do something they don't want to and they aren't great for children as a result.

Oh and you will turn heads wherever you go on a fjord. We often have to stop for photos while hacking!

I never thought I would have such fun with a chunky fluffy pony (but don't tell my high maintenance horse, she gets very jealous!)
 
Easy horse ownership is not just about a lack of vet bills. All natives and cobs tend to be quite good in that department. I would also think about:
How comfortable are you with sharp/spooky/cheeky (rule out welsh if the answer is 'not'). Welsh can be quite 'high maintenance' intellectually.
Ease of training - IME there is nothing anywhere close to a New Forest for taking new things in their stride. They are very forgiving.
How's your fencing? Some of the heavier cobs/natives seem to see it as a game to push it over, and the more athletic can just pop it.

All in all, I'd advise a novice to go with a NF, or a Dartmoor if they're small enough.
 
If you come across a Latvian Carriage horse with a good conformation, I'd definitely suggest to consider it. At their best, they are sturdy, healthy, with good hooves and sharp minds.

ETA: Congrats on your new companion! :)
 
I was going to say connie too, mine deffo "takes up the leg" and is as tough as old boots but quite athletic too. Brilliant all rounders

Also agree about arabs. A good arab will have legs like iron! And actually can carry a bit of weight too. My friends are all barefoot too and have rock hard feet and are really good doers
 
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