Selecting the right breed for you!

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angellauren

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I know there are variations within every breed but I made a big mistake at the beginning of the year getting myself a yearling who I may as well face it - isn't for me. I did a lot of research, met his parents and so on but didn't go with my gut, a mistake I won't make again. So, now I have an absolutely lovely yearling but was stupidly put under a lot of peer pressure to get a horse and not a pony even though I think deep down would have been best for me. He's an Oldenburg x Welsh with Sandro Hit bloodlines, he floats like a dream and will be something very special in the future and I really hope somebody who knows what their doing more than me snaps him up. I plan to get him gelded in the Autumn and continue with groundwork before I properly advertise him, I've sort of stuck him up for sale for the sake of it at the moment just in case anybody is happy to have him as he is from the field but he's no trouble really at the mo. He's a sort that will need far more commitment further down the line than I can provide and I need something a little less fragile and not such high maintenance. I know I've made previous topics about struggling with him so I'd rather not have criticism for "giving up" and am not afraid to admit I made a mistake but I'd rather let him go than screw him up myself in a couple of years. I'm not inexperienced by any means but it's just not feasible.

I've got a New Forest pony who is wonderful and I'm thinking about sticking to something similar to him but bigger as I can't comfortably compete on him. I thought a Connemara may be a good way to go as I love to hack but would also like to be able to compete locally throughout the Summer and so on but not have something that's going to lose it's mind if I can't ride 5 days a week. I sat on my New Forest after he had 6 months off in the field, he didn't flinch and happily wondered out of the yard he'd never been off before by himself as if he had been in regular work. He's just made me realise I want something I can relax with and enjoy not have something fizzier that's likely to spook at his own shadow. I realise you can't predict what a pony will be like but I'd like to go and check out some Connemara yearlings. Around 2 years old. Can anybody recommend good competition connies with good breeding? I'd like something to make a full up 14.2hh. I'm 5.6 and 7 1/2 stone and although many seem to think I'd be better with a horse, I am a million times more confident and happy with something smaller, I don't know why it's just the way I've always been and I'm not a particularly nervous rider.

Any advice on either situation would be appreciated.. I mean, is my other yearling likely to sell? Would you rather have something from the field or something that's done it's ground work and so on? Is it wise to geld before I sell or would you not? I'm not sure who would want him at his age although he's full of potential. I paid a small fortune for him which I'm not greatly bothered about getting back as I just want him to have a good home and it means I can go and look for the right one sooner.

Thank you for any replies,

Lauren.
 
I think it is very brave to admit you made a mistake. I did a similar thing with the pony I had previously.

I can't help with your new search but just wanted to wish you luck x
 
Thanks - I'm expecting some criticism but hopefully people on here can offer some good advice about what might be the best thing for me to do in this situation as I'm really keen to move on with the right pony but he does need to go first but it's a tricky age to sell I think. He's a May 2012 colt.
 
We all make mistakes .. You r looking after him aren't u ? And caring for him ..so I don't see a problem ..many people buy to sell (I know that wasn't ur plan) but as long as he gets a nice home I don't see there is a problem ;) I am 5'5 and 9stone 13 ..I have a welshie and love him to bits ...best horse I have ever had !! He is a 6 year old 14.2 cheshunt with a flaxen mane and tail ..a blaze and 4 whites ... I bought him as a 2 year old ..backed him myself ..he hacks alone/company lead or last ..sponsored rides , m&m classes , whp, sj , xc, dressage ( novice level, ATM aiming ele next year :/ ) when I bought him people turned there nose up ..as he was not a wb ...but it makes me smile to think about that now :) as I'm having a ball with my plucky pony !!
 
The Welsh are certainly in a league of their own I have discovered! He's chilled most of the time and is in no way coltish at all but we're not really made for each other unfortunately. I'll be sad to see him go as I had such high hopes but I think it's for the best.
 
I'm intrigued as to why you are buying yearlings in these very difficult economic times, and you say you haven't the time to make the commitment - which is always huge in a youngster?

As you yourself said, there are variations in every breed. Perhaps you should buy something more mature. Then a) you can see what you're getting and b) have more of a chance of selling it if it isn't right.
 
Im another to say how brave to come on here and hold hands up saying ive made a mustake due to peer pressure. Advertise and continue playing with him.
 
If you are looking at Connemaras then the Bobby Sparrow offspring seem to do very well. However the main Connemara pony show is on in Clifden between the 15 th and 18th August and they usually put lots of videos online so it's worth having a look at the show results to see which stallions have done well and also at the jumping results. They have regular horse sales there too and you can pick up youngsters quite cheaply. Might be worth the trip?
 
I'd rather take the verbal abuse from a few on here but come out with some good ideas and advice from the less abusive members than just try and solve the problem myself when they are people much more knowledgeable than me on here and have some really useful constructive advice or maybe people have had the same issues.

Folly, I'm not sure this will sound like a wise explanation but my boyfriend and I moved to a cottage in the country earlier this year and it's undergoing a huge re-furb. I'd quite like to have a yearling sat in the field for me to bond with opposed to one I'm not gelling with and know I don't want to keep so is sort of being wasted. I really enjoy having youngsters, my NF I got at 10 months old and he's one of the best decisions I ever made. I do understand your point exactly however and of course, it does make more sense. It's just my personal preference to look for something about 2 years old. I'm not quite ready to commit to riding regularly as the house takes up a lot of my time in between work.
 
Got this little beast at 15 months old and 13hh then.....


to this on her 3rd birthday


didnt know about appaloosa before but now... i love them :) totally and utterly amazing her full sister is for sale ...... and gorgeous be for sale at weaning in bodmin
 
Been there, done that! Since returning to riding 7 years ago, I have always favoured ponies. So I think it came as a shock to everyone when I ended up with a 16hh ex-racehorse, as far as ex-racers go he was lovely but personality wise we bought out the worst in each other. A few years before I had shared a New Forest and in all honestly hand on heart he was the most fun I had ever had on a horse. The only pony I have ever helped break in was a NF and I just love the mix of safe, honest and downright cheekiness.

I rehomed the tb and ended up going to view a 9 year old 13.2hh riding school New Forest pony 100 miles away. Had her for a year now and it was the best move I’ve ever made.

I’m 5ft 8 and about 9 stone and I really don’t mind that I look like I’m still riding my 1st pony! (in fact my new RI thought I was about 17… I’m 30! :D) but if I was looking to compete seriously I would need a 14.2 (thankfully I just plan to do riding club, fun rides and endurance)

Have you thought about looking at a full up NF? There are a few out there around the 14.2hh mark or something NF x? I’ve seen some cracking NF x Warmbloods over the years and they tend to be a bit less sharp than the NF x TBs.
 
Dizzle said:
Been there, done that! Since returning to riding 7 years ago, I have always favoured ponies. So I think it came as a shock to everyone when I ended up with a 16hh ex-racehorse, as far as ex-racers go he was lovely but personality wise we bought out the worst in each other. A few years before I had shared a New Forest and in all honestly hand on heart he was the most fun I had ever had on a horse. The only pony I have ever helped break in was a NF and I just love the mix of safe, honest and downright cheekiness.

I rehomed the tb and ended up going to view a 9 year old 13.2hh riding school New Forest pony 100 miles away. Had her for a year now and it was the best move I’ve ever made.

I’m 5ft 8 and about 9 stone and I really don’t mind that I look like I’m still riding my 1st pony! (in fact my new RI thought I was about 17… I’m 30! :D) but if I was looking to compete seriously I would need a 14.2 (thankfully I just plan to do riding club, fun rides and endurance)

Have you thought about looking at a full up NF? There are a few out there around the 14.2hh mark or something NF x? I’ve seen some cracking NF x Warmbloods over the years and they tend to be a bit less sharp than the NF x TBs.
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Thanks for your reply. It's nice to know I'm not the only one! I do love my New Forest, even my OH has been completely won over by his personality and claims they are pals now. I trust him implicitly and one day I hope he'll provide the same fun for my kids if I ever have any! He's with me for good.
I was only thinking a Connie as they seem that slightly more "athletic" than an NF but then again mine is resembling a bull at present bobbing around the field so you know.. I'd like something with a bit of go when needed but isn't fizzy to handle on the ground etc too and overly spooky. I'd certainly consider another NF or a cross, not sure where to look for a competition type though!? It's important because if I can find the right pony then I'm not looking to sell in the future. I'd like something that I can compete locally with, hack out, fun rides, just enjoy and is with me to stay. I let my NF choose me last time which I feel I should have done this time but too late now!
 
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