Highland Ponies

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Pegasus5531

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Update for you all since I very much appreciated your advice! Went back to see the Highland in question again and at the suggestion of my mum who is older and wiser than me asked to canter her in the field. The first time I viewed and rode they said I could only walk and trot her and it was a very quiet lane. They said sure that's fine canter her but did not come out of the house while I was riding. I took this as a positive as thought it meant they were confident of the horses behaviour. Unfortunately not the case as she took off doing an incredible impression of a bronco. Now I'm a bold, capable rider and currently riding fit hunters and actually out hunting them so that doesn't put me off but I did state to the seller repeatedly that I wanted it to be something calmer than I'm currently riding so I can hopefully share a bit with my mum. They said she's never done it before and must be because she doesn't normally canter in that field and isn't fit. I would agree I would expect some excitement and the odd buck from any horse when cantering in an open field but it was a rather dramatic show! The seller then later disclosed that her mother came off the horse in the past which resulted in brain damage so that's why none of them ride it. But they had led me to believe it was a safe, laid back type that her 10 year old can ride and that is was in work at the moment. I think it is a no go for me now as I wouldn't trust the horse to not exhibit that behaviour again and I've already had horses that everyone else is scared to get on and it makes holiday cover etc so much more difficult. So it seems my search continues, I need to discuss with seller as I did say I would call her back I'm not sure whether to say that I think she needs to disclose in the advert that it is not anybodys ride and is effectively a from the field project!
 
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eahotson

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Pegasus5531 said:
Update for you all since I very much appreciated your advice! Went back to see the Highland in question again and at the suggestion of my mum who is older and wiser than me asked to canter her in the field. The first time I viewed and rode they said I could only walk and trot her and it was a very quiet lane. They said sure that's fine canter her but did not come out of the house while I was riding. I took this as a positive as thought it meant they were confident of the horses behaviour. Unfortunately not the case as she took off doing an incredible impression of a bronco. Now I'm a bold, capable rider and currently riding fit hunters and actually out hunting them so that doesn't put me off but I did state to the seller repeatedly that I wanted it to be something calmer than I'm currently riding so I can hopefully share a bit with my mum. They said she's never done it before and must be because she doesn't normally canter in that field and isn't fit. I would agree I would expect some excitement and the odd buck from any horse when cantering in an open field but it was a rather dramatic show! The seller then later disclosed that her mother came off the horse in the past which resulted in brain damage so that's why none of them ride it. But they had led me to believe it was a safe, laid back type that her 10 year old can ride and that is was in work at the moment. I think it is a no go for me now as I wouldn't trust the horse to not exhibit that behaviour again and I've already had horses that everyone else is scared to get on and it makes holiday cover etc so much more difficult. So it seems my search continues, I need to discuss with seller as I did say I would call her back I'm not sure whether to say that I think she needs to disclose in the advert that it is not anybodys ride and is effectively a from the field project!
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I bought a Highland some years ago that I was assured was suitable as a quiet sensible steady ride.He proved very spooky and when I went into his history he had been sold by his first owner because he had scared her.He scared me too.You have had a lucky escape.
 
thefarsideofthefield

thefarsideofthefield

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That's a bit naughty - but at least you hadn't parted with any money ! I think I'd feel bound to tell the seller that their advert/information is misleading and possibly , if you feel strongly enough about it , that if any future buyer sought to bring a claim against them , because they felt they were misold the pony , you would provide them with a supporting statement based on your own experience of riding it !
And yes , all mine are ' sharp ' and reactive too , some more so than others , but they all have manners ! Infact I really don't know where the ploddy pony idea came from as regards Highlands to be honest ! None of the ones I've known have been like that . They can certainly be stubborn and a bit uncooperative at times , but that's not the same thing at all .
 
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thefarsideofthefield

thefarsideofthefield

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pistolpete said:
Mine was as sharp as ****when ridden. Now retired due to stifle injury. Very wide. Very handsome and far more go than woah! He doesn’t really like people unfortunately which I think is unusual for highlands but I don’t think I’ll ever bring myself to have another even though I love how they look. Also ridiculously good doers on the whole so mine was often hangry too!
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Oooh ! He's rather nice !
 
windand rain

windand rain

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Sorry it didn't work out. My highland ponies have all been superstar material especially on the ground. Perfect manners and easy to tack up. Once ridden the old girl is super in every way strong if not in front hacking but as safe as houses in the school. Her daughter does everything at 100mph jumps like a stag is only 13hh and gets placed at BE90 courses is usually too fast for the optimum time. Kitten is an angel on the floor, lazy when ridden in the school but has in the past been opinionated I am hoping she has grown out of it now as she will be for sale once she has been away to be schooled on. Her problems are lack of consistency so will only sell her to the right person
 
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