Help Please Finding Confidence Giver

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Pixel

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Hi All

I am looking for a confidence giving cob or similar just for hacking and having fun in the field. I need a pony that will be 100% in heavy traffic as we have lots of farm machinery around and not many bridle paths so will do a fair share of road riding.

I am a novice but have had a horse before 10 years ago who I just hacked with. Since then I haven't ridden and my daughter who is a non rider will be riding the new horse. We will both be having lessons but do need a beginners bombproof pony ideally around 14.2.

My worry is last time I did the horse search 15 years ago I came across so many dangerous horses and dodgy dealers trying to sell wild horses as suitable for beginners. I saw one horse who i had a bad feeling about, so I asked the owner (dealer) to get on first and she was promptly bucked straight off!!! I am getting older and I don't bounce anymore so would love to find a genuine horse without driving all around the country on a wild (and possibly dangerous) goose chase!

Any reliable dealers or methods of searching you would recommend??
 
There is a Dodgy Dealers FB page which it would be worth you checking to see who to avoid.

Also, always take a knowledgeable friend with you to view any horse and insist that the owner rides it first.
 
Oh that sounds worth looking at on FB. Thanks. I dont know anyone knowledgeable in the area as I have recently moved but I will ask around and see if I can find someone horsey to help.
 
are there any yards near you? might be worth sharing something for a while until you get your confidence up and your daughter will need lessons if she has never ridden. if you do buy where will the pony be kept? if you are thinking about keeping it at home you will need a companion , so basically you will need to have 2...a rescue centre would be the best place to look for a companion
 
Yes it will be at home so depending on the pony I will be either getting a shetland,donkey or worst case a goat! Don't really want to share again as I have done that before but we will both be getting lessons. Still working out what to do about companion, as I know another pony is the best option, but its also the most expensive!
 
Pixel said:
Yes it will be at home so depending on the pony I will be either getting a shetland,donkey or worst case a goat! Don't really want to share again as I have done that before but we will both be getting lessons. Still working out what to do about companion, as I know another pony is the best option, but its also the most expensive!
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where abouts are you, world horse welfare has loads of ponies suitable for companion homes so you wouldnt have to buy a pony just a small donation to the rescue.
 
We are in Herefordshire, I will have a look into that option splashgirl. Although its less about the purchase price and more the ongoing costs that I need to consider.
 
Thanks oldie I will try the local riding club. I saw some ads from the local pony club and they sounded lovely ponies but far too sparky for me! I am in no rush though so I am sure the right pony will turn up.
 
May I suggest that what you want is a laid back 100% bombproof/spookproof cob that can be ridden by itself in the heaviest of traffic. I would ask local farriers, vets and riding instructors to keep an eye open for you and I would also put up some wanted adverts in the local feed merchants/tack shops. As above try the local pony club/riding clubs as well. Good luck!
 
God I feel for you, it's very hard to find such a horse, it's such an ideosycratic thing too. You have probably already tried this but have you tried looking at Hereford Equestrian, I've seen the odd hidden gem on there during my own search, missed quite few by forgetting to check it often enough. Good luck!
 
Wheresthehoofpick said:
Try the FB page for pony club ponies. Put up your own ad (be prepared to filter out those that are the opposite of what you asked for!!) They are out there.
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I would be more inclined to look for a sane and sensible ride and drive cob - PC ponies will normally be much more lively than you are looking for, OP.
 
I think my concern would be that even the sanest pony might be quite unsettled in a setup where it potentially has no equine company. I had a cob many years ago now who was kept on individual turnout and seemed absolutely fine but was spooky as anything to ride. It was only when we moved yards and he was turned out with a herd that I realised he wasn't naturally spooky, he was just on constant high alert when he'd been turned out alone.
 
Please have a think about the charities - World Horse Welfare, Blue Cross, Bransby etc often have the sort of pony you are looking for. You can take your time talking to them to explain what you are looking for and visiting as many times as you like. They will be equally concerned about making sure that the pony and you are a good fit plus you will have ongoing support from them, particularly in the early days. I realise that Herefordshire is not particularly close to the main centres of these charities but there is also Hopton Rehab& Rehoming (Tenbury Wells) whose principal aim is to rehome horses that have a working life ahead of them .http://www.hoptonrehabhoming.org. Good luck
 
Sadly, I don’t think there is any shortcut on this one, finding a true confidence giver is hard work and time consuming. Could your instructor put up a wanted ad on your behalf and whittle the replies down for you. Sometimes having a third party who isn’t emotionally involved is a very good thing!
 
Get some lessons, get your daughter helping at a local yard if possible and get networking! At my yard, the owner buys and sells, she’s had some cracking horses through and because they stay for a couple of weeks being assessed, she gets to know them quite well. I would happily have bought a 17hh warmblood the other day (but I can’t afford 2!)
 
Thanks all lots of ideas here. No it won't be on its own skint1 I said earlier I intend to find company for the pony I would never keep a pony without company! I think the misunderstanding is I mentioned a goat worst case but I meant as a short term measure - I do intend on getting equine company long term but obviously I wont be able to magic up the right pony and a suitable companion on the same day. I assumed a donkey or a Shetland would be equally suitable as companions but correct me if I am wrong. Thanks for the tip on Hereford Equestrian skint. As it happens I saw a pony on there that looked perfect but it was gone by the time I called.
 
I am in Herefordshire too, I will keep an eye out. Mitty Hardy Eventing always has lots in, and is honest about what may suit you or not, so worth getting in touch with her. Please message me if you would like any further help with local recommendations!
One thing I would say is as you havent had a horse for so long, once you have found a pony I would very strongly consider keeping the pony at a livery yard for the first few months before you take it home, that way if you have any problems relating to your inexperiance then you will have people on hand to help until you get used to having a pony again. Even just having someone for company while you are hacking out is a huge help if you are nervous and you learn so much from having people who you can ask.
 
Thanks Emilylou I think using a yard initially is quite a good idea and would resolve the issue of getting a companion straight away. Unfortunately Peter those are way over budget. I spent that sort of money on my last horse and it did make it easier to find the perfect horse but I just can't afford that this time round. Was hoping to spend more like £2k although I know that is a big ask.
 
I saw my neighbour out yesterday hacking on her little hairy cob. It has been in all week as her partner is a farmer and doesn't like the grass cutting up.It was as calm as can be, out on its on. You would think its too small, its only about 13hands, built like a small outhouse and I would think cost less than £1000, broken to drive as well.
 
Oh I don't know honeypot?? I am 5ft7 and under 10 stone and my daughter is nearly as tall but lighter. My last pony was 15.1 and was a finer set ex sports horse and I wouldn't want much taller than him but not sure about 13 hands ish and stocky. I don't remember riding one that small before. Would I look silly or have issues feeling out of balance?
 
Pixel said:
Oh I don't know honeypot?? I am 5ft7 and under 10 stone and my daughter is nearly as tall but lighter. My last pony was 15.1 and was a finer set ex sports horse and I wouldn't want much taller than him but not sure about 13 hands ish and stocky. I don't remember riding one that small before. Would I look silly or have issues feeling out of balance?
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13 hands will probably feel a bit too small but a well put together 14 hands should be ideal, I have sold a few cobby types between 13.2 -14.2 to fairly tall adults looking to down size generally, a good one will feel big enough, take up your leg as well as being easier to deal with and to find in the first place, once you look over 14.2 the price will go up, most that fit your requirements will be worth more than your budget unless you compromise.

A few years ago I had a full up 14.2 for sale that one buyer traveled a long way to view only for her to refuse to get on because he was too big! she really needed a 13.2.
 
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