I honestly can’t decide what pony to buy

kaiserchief said:
@PuddingSummer have you managed to secure your favourite pony? 😁
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I’ve been quietly watching and appreciating everyone’s messages here and have really taken onboard the single worry I had re the Welshie. It seems everyone agrees the skin could be an issue and in reality my set up (large field with absolutely no natural shelter and needing to be out as much as possible for my other pony) is going to lead to more stress then I actually want.

I’ve done a deep dive on NF ponies and I’m sold she’s the more appropriate option given my current and foreseeable circumstances! It truly was a 50/50 split but the love for foresters on this thread alone has pushed me wholeheartedly the NF way
 
Lucky Snowball said:
I’d say NF. Surely a decent rug and mask can keep sun off or even build a shelter. Sane and sensible top priority. Out of interest, are they roughly the same price?
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It was the Welshie with the pink skin, the NF doesn’t have a drop of white on her! They were within a few hundred of each other so price didn’t even come into consideration!
 
From everything you've said I would agree with the NF but having said that, if neither of them are making your heart sing then I'd keep looking.
 
Just be aware that your sweet 4 year old will likely start to throw a buck and tank aged 5 and will then take a year to settle. I love mares, I would buy one every time, but boy are they fun aged 5 - and New Forest ponies have the power to really go!

My little NF mare was backed at 4 by my then 7 year old son, who was a tiny dot on her back! He got her hacking in front and behind, basic schooling, the lot. She was honestly the sweetest, safest pony. She then hit 5yo (it was pretty much Jan 1st which was a little early and caught us by surprise) and shot off, bucking. He hit the dirt. Once, then again and again. So on I hopped. One hyped but happy pony. I took over the ride and rode her through her wild enthusiastic years - we had spinning and running, excitable bucking episodes, discussions about who exactly was making the decisions, take a hold and run (proper NF favourite that one) the works. She grew out of that aged 7 - a year sooner than our previous NF mare who’d taken until age 8 to settle! She is now as she was at 4 - sweet and safe and totally reliable. Our current part NF mares - one was merrily running off with an adult and just being a completely cheeky and uncooperative joy at 5, and the other nearly got herself shot (in a previous home) for stating her opinions a little too strongly.

I see NF mares aged 5-7 far too often advertised for running off with their people or bucking. That said, we have a 7yo Welsh who had an almighty meltdown yesterday over someone else tripping, so I’d take a predictably hormonal NF over that any day. I’m not sure the Welsh will grow out of it!
 
maya2008 said:
Just be aware that your sweet 4 year old will likely start to throw a buck and tank aged 5 and will then take a year to settle. I love mares, I would buy one every time, but boy are they fun aged 5 - and New Forest ponies have the power to really go!

My little NF mare was backed at 4 by my then 7 year old son, who was a tiny dot on her back! He got her hacking in front and behind, basic schooling, the lot. She was honestly the sweetest, safest pony. She then hit 5yo (it was pretty much Jan 1st which was a little early and caught us by surprise) and shot off, bucking. He hit the dirt. Once, then again and again. So on I hopped. One hyped but happy pony. I took over the ride and rode her through her wild enthusiastic years - we had spinning and running, excitable bucking episodes, discussions about who exactly was making the decisions, take a hold and run (proper NF favourite that one) the works. She grew out of that aged 7 - a year sooner than our previous NF mare who’d taken until age 8 to settle! She is now as she was at 4 - sweet and safe and totally reliable. Our current part NF mares - one was merrily running off with an adult and just being a completely cheeky and uncooperative joy at 5, and the other nearly got herself shot (in a previous home) for stating her opinions a little too strongly.

I see NF mares aged 5-7 far too often advertised for running off with their people or bucking. That said, we have a 7yo Welsh who had an almighty meltdown yesterday over someone else tripping, so I’d take a predictably hormonal NF over that any day. I’m not sure the Welsh will grow out of it!
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I’ve had an Arab and a Welsh D both from foals into their ridden careers so im not particularly worried about the long term temperamental changes. They are all animals at the end of the day, with their own personalities and quirks!
 
PuddingSummer said:
I’ve been quietly watching and appreciating everyone’s messages here and have really taken onboard the single worry I had re the Welshie. It seems everyone agrees the skin could be an issue and in reality my set up (large field with absolutely no natural shelter and needing to be out as much as possible for my other pony) is going to lead to more stress then I actually want.

I’ve done a deep dive on NF ponies and I’m sold she’s the more appropriate option given my current and foreseeable circumstances! It truly was a 50/50 split but the love for foresters on this thread alone has pushed me wholeheartedly the NF way
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Absolutely the right decision, and I’m for the Welsh sections every time, but that pigmentation is just awful - however sweet the animal.
A good horse can’t be a bad colour and all that, but breeders should be breeding for type and soundness - not colour - and there are so many health / management issues with that colouring, their breeding should not be encouraged in supposed native ponies, at all.
Hope you have a lovely time with your new forest pony!
 
PuddingSummer said:
Welsh is that she’s cremello
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I have a cremello, he has had skin lesions since he was about two, he is now twelve and had a couple taken off, and I have suspicion he may have them internally, his sheath is covered. So i would say it depends on price and how long you are thinking of keeping them.
I have mine since a foal, he has a mind like Dory the fish, so dim that although backed and hacked not really safe to ride, so even without his skin problems is not saleable.
 
honetpot said:
I have a cremello, he has had skin lesions since he was about two, he is now twelve and had a couple taken off, and I have suspicion he may have them internally, his sheath is covered. So i would say it depends on price and how long you are thinking of keeping them.
I have mine since a foal, he has a mind like Dory the fish, so dim that although backed and hacked not really safe to ride, so even without his skin problems is not saleable.
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Not trying to be rude about your horse based on personal taste re appearance - I’m fully aware there are some delightful ‘odd coloured’ animals about. And some successful performers, too, altho you’ve not been lucky.
It is the principle of breeding primarily for colour (obviously modern insight into genetics has enabled this, almost a religious fixation with some) that I take issue with, and the more one focuses on colour genes, potentially the greater concentration of related physical debilities.
Should be bred for physical type and physical soundness, first and foremost. Temperament, biddability, particularly for children’s ponies.
It’s not a dog show, or a Fancy show - horses need to be healthy and functional, and unfortunately there are a great many, very well documented, health issues with such horses.
 
OK, I'm a month late 🤣 to this thread but have been unexpectedly having to go NF shopping (currently waiting on PSSM1 test result)🤞 This will be Number 9 - over too many years🙈 & wouldn't consider buying anything else. I do hope you & mare are getting on well. (Note to self - do NOT go to BR Sales on Oct 9th just in case🤣🙈)
 
New Forests Rock said:
OK, I'm a month late 🤣 to this thread but have been unexpectedly having to go NF shopping (currently waiting on PSSM1 test result)🤞 This will be Number 9 - over too many years🙈 & wouldn't consider buying anything else. I do hope you & mare are getting on well. (Note to self - do NOT go to BR Sales on Oct 9th just in case🤣🙈)
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I actually didn’t end up with the NF mare in the end but like I said before, the over whelming love for new forest ponies drove my search and I’ve ended up with a 3yo NF gelding instead! I was buying a NF no matter what after everyone’s advice!
 
PuddingSummer said:
I actually didn’t end up with the NF mare in the end but like I said before, the over whelming love for new forest ponies drove my search and I’ve ended up with a 3yo NF gelding instead! I was buying a NF no matter what after everyone’s advice!
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I'm delighted to hear this🥰 and I hope you and your boy will be very happy indeed!!
 
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