How do I find a super-good doer/EMS horse in SE Wales with a lovely human attached?

Suncat

Suncat

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Ah, HH Hive Mind… was actual dating this tricky??

I'm really lucky to be on a lovely livery yard (NP10, M4 access) where we have 24/7 turnout, no drama and good facilities (and hay). Am also blessed with a severely EMS horse, but he's kept healthy by being in a track (little grass, electric fenced, mud mat area and hay feeders) spring to Autumn and day time 'normal' field turn out in winter. I'm so grateful to our YO to let me provide this for him, I honestly don't know how I'd manage him in a way that keeps him out and happy otherwise.

But (due to some very happy life events for the owner of his last pal) I'm looking for a track-and-field mate for him, who needs the same sort of management (little grass, mostly forage and room to move) and has a human who is up for the routine effort that goes with it (poo picking, hay delivery). But the extra tricky bit, said EMS unicorn needs to be bigger or smart or robust as my 16HH lump chases those smaller than himself initially, though once settled he's good as gold, and is always polite to handle. And if the other deflects or refuses to be chased, he's flummoxed. Obviously am ready with over the door, over the fence intros, anything really for a happy life 🙂

But where can I find such a pair? I've asked about my network with no luck, anyone on here know of a sensible person who's struggling to find a place that can cater for their super good doer? Or ideas of where I could reach out to find them? Yard owner has given me permission to look (they'd then meet and discuss), as though we've got a couple of folks/ponies arriving, to technically fill the yard again, no one on the horizon to share the health-prison spa with come spring…

Edited to say... do feel free to direct message me!
 
I know... when I say 'blessed' my head is firmly in my hands 😅

And yes... the chasing... maybe I'm being over honest? In the scale of things he's not bad or very persistent and I'm laid back about letting horses sort themselves out but I'd rather people knew straight away and could estimate if theirs would just roll an eye or be the one to panic...?
 
When I wanted a companion to my big pony I knew I would need something with as much attitude as the big pony. I ended up with a small pony who is utterly unsquashable, physically and mentally. He was smart enough to learn very quickly how to keep out of the way until he'd worked out just how far he could push the big pony. Within a week they were friends and it all worked out well.
There are dozens of ponies like him on all the rehoming pages. Most of them need to be on a permanent diet so could possibly be up to the job?
 
I wish I lived a little bit closer to you as this is exactly what I’m looking for for my guy, and I wouldn’t be concerned by what you’ve said about your horse. Rather annoyingly you’re in the reasonably close but just too far to be viable on a daily basis category, as I live 40-45 minutes from you. Even more annoyingly I used to live just around the corner from there and even have a pretty good idea which yard you’re on. I’m tempted to message you to have a chat but I think I need to be realistic that it’s probably too far.

Other than that, are you in any of the livery yard groups on Facebook? You could try advertising in those and seeing what uptake you get. The only trouble is everyone seems to want to do everything anonymously nowadays so it’s hard to work out who’s who. And of course there’s the risk with having a stranger that even if they seem nice when you first meet them, they turn out not to be ideal and then you’re stuck with them.

Not sure any of that is much use at all!
 
chaps89 said:
I'm not local but I have a small pony who is street smart, he knows to get out of the way. A savvy smaller pony and careful introductions might open up more options. I've had two small ponies as field shares before and it worked well.
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Very true - he's actually just been joined by a 14.2 cob (older and needs plenty of grass) for winter - owner is very experienced and relaxed and coblet is savy and smarter than mine and has deflected the chasing, argued that grazing is a better alternative and they've settled well. So its spring that's the worry... the good news is it'll come quickly 🫣😅
 
suestowford said:
When I wanted a companion to my big pony I knew I would need something with as much attitude as the big pony. I ended up with a small pony who is utterly unsquashable, physically and mentally. He was smart enough to learn very quickly how to keep out of the way until he'd worked out just how far he could push the big pony. Within a week they were friends and it all worked out well.
There are dozens of ponies like him on all the rehoming pages. Most of them need to be on a permanent diet so could possibly be up to the job?
Click to expand...
Its a good thought, but like many, even on a good wage and in a good situation I just can't afford two anymore. I lost my old horse a year or two ago, and he always was this one's company. They were in a fairly stable small group for nearly 8+ years so its a new challenge :)
 
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