Tell me about your natives

[Splashy pony]

As title. I went looking for a Weshie and bought an irish cob then 11 years later was determined to get a Dales but couldn't find one not destined as strong and got a Connie. Very happy both times but really would also still like a Dales and a Welshie and a Highland and a Fell....

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

My fell pony was truly awesome! Brave as a lion and yet wouldn't hurt a fly! He could be keen and a bit strong when ridden but nothing ott. He was a lovely gentle pony with a great sense of humour! I had him for 13 years, schooled him, competed him before losing him just over a month ago to colic at 17yo. I would have another fell pony in a heartbeat!

 

[Supertrooper]

I've got a 13.1hh new forest pony, he was part of a welfare case and was rehabilitated by WHW. He's 8yrs now and was a stallion until he was 6yrs old, his daughter was also rescued, she's the spitting image of him.

He is a massive character, he's very very inquisitive, some of that is from him being a stallion and also they were living in broken down cars, machinery, glass, wire etc etc so nothing fazes him.

He can't be ridden due to poor conformation and bone spavins but he loves horse agility and going for in hand walks xx

 

[ridefast]

I've got a 13h new forest, he was my first pony, taught me how to ride, put up with my teenage temper tantrums and is continuing to forgive me whilst I re-learn a better way. Bless his toes! Also have a recently purchased section A, as my little brother had one when I was little who I loved, and I've ridden a few for different jobs since then, such cracking little ponies! So now I have my own. Would love another NF though, or NF x Arab, chestnut mare... dream horse

 

[Supertrooper]

This is mine, he's chestnut! OH was doing arty shot!

 

[Rhodders]

I have a 15 1 4 year old welsh d. Got him as a unhandled yearling backed him myself this year and he's been just perfect. After 7 years with a opinionated, grumpy haflinger with attitude my little Welsh has been a breath of fresh air. I also have 2 midgets who are lovely little chaps

 

[wills_91]

I have 4 mini shets who I just adore

Loaned a Dartmoor for 2 years when I was 8, spent most of my time getting bucked off but he taught me loads

I had a welsh x highland for a year as well. Without a shadow of a doubt best pony ever!

I'm afraid you couldn't pay me enough to have a pure welshie especially a D *dons tin hat*

 

[JFTDWS]

Ah well, all sane people are tempted to a highland at some point

This is Fergus, the super highland. He's been out at BD elementary all summer and cruised around an unaff medium a few weeks ago.

And Daemon, my 4 year old crazed lunatic:

Whose adventures can be followed at www.facebook.com/hotbloodedhighland / musings can be heard on twitter yada yada yada... Fair to say, I need to get out more!

 

[WelshD]

I personally think section D's take a lot of beating but I have become quite a convert to Highlands and Fells after seeing them in the show ring and in M&M working hunter pony classes

I have a Welsh A and a Welsh B and they are fab little personalities

 

[Lady La La]

Ah well, all sane people are tempted to a highland at some point

This is Fergus, the super highland. He's been out at BD elementary all summer and cruised around an unaff medium a few weeks ago.

Whose adventures can be followed at www.facebook.com/hotbloodedhighland / musings can be heard on twitter yada yada yada... Fair to say, I need to get out more!

And I can vouch that when he isn't being a posh dressage horse, he bumbles around the arena and over cross poles with flappy numpty me on his back, and looks after me beautifully. I'd have a Fergus in a heartbeat!

 

[JFTDWS]

And I can vouch that when he isn't being a posh dressage horse, he bumbles around the arena and over cross poles with flappy numpty me on his back, and looks after me beautifully. I'd have a Fergus in a heartbeat!

If I die, you can have him on loan

But I'm sorta hoping it won't come to that!

 

[NinjaPony]

I've got a Connemara and he is very special! He's a brilliant jumper (been round Hoys WH tracks), just came second in an BD novice on 67% with me having had a 10 minute warm up but really that's just a bonus. His temperament is what makes him such a gem. He's the kindest, sweetest pony I've ever met- he's so laid back but willing and trainable and always tries for you. Anyone could handle him on the ground, he's quite off the leg so you need to be reasonably competent to get the most out of him on board which suits me very well. He's definitely convinced me of the virtues of natives- they are such good all-rounders with wonderful characters.

 

[Peregrine Falcon]

I had a NF on loan when I was 13. Got bitten well and truly, purchased a yearling nearly 20 years ago. I started visiting the forest a few months after I got him and fell in love with it. Moved down 16 years ago and the herd has grown over the the years. I run stock out on the forest and can't think of any other breed I'd rather be involved with. My foundation mare is now 21 and her youngest daughter, Flicka, is going to be my next riding pony.

Great versatile ponies that can turn their hooves to anything. My forest bred ponies are so laid back and easy going, just take everything in their stride. My 2yo filly is fabulous fun and such a loving character.

 

[dizzyneddy]

I'm another owner & fan of NF ponies - a 10 yo 13.2hh bay & a 3 yo 13hh palomino. They are both cheeky monkies & you wouldn't think butter would melt in their mouths. The eldest is a great allrounder you can do anything with her whilst the youngest was backed in September & October & has been turned away. I find that they have such trainable natures & they love learning. lf l could have an herd like snow falcon l would but don't have enough land!!!

 

[Highlands]

A highland fan too! All very different but love them. Mum has an amazing 110 % saint , I have coke fizzy moment of one who is wonderful but s quite sharp however he is never going to put you in danger just a bit more than mr average then last I have ac4 year old just like no1, she is going yo be amazing!

 

[Spottyappy]

Waited all my life to get a welsh cob. For various reasons it never happened sooner.
Almost 3 yeses ago, a nervous, neurotic Unbacked 6 year came into my life, and once she got over the shock, has been amazing. My daughter became smitten and brought 2 youngsters. One now sold, but still have the other.
We also have an Nf mare out on loan, who us safe and the whole family ride her, from 8yr old to nervous novice parents!
Nf mare

Welsh d mare

Welsh d yearling

 

[Jo1987]

I have a fell x, I don't know what he's crossed with but he's not as chunky as a pure fell. I've had him for 15 years, and I wouldn't change him for the world. He's my best friend, he's never been easy and he's the king if being awkward for the sake of it, but he's great fun to be around and I trust him with my life. We used to go out for hours round the woods and I'd spend most of the time wandering on foot with him in tow, 'off lead' like a big puppy! He's retired now, and we're training up his replacement - a 5 year old cob who reminds me if him in many ways... stubborn, too lazy to be really frightened of anything and a big cuddly bear (when he thinks no one else is watching!)

 

[millmo]

We've got a welsh D x cob, a welsh A and a welsh B. We have previously had a Shetland a welsh C and a welsh D. As you can see we are quite a fan of the welsh's and if we had kept them all would of had the full set. When looking on websites to see what's for sale always end up looking at a welsh. They have great characters and I can't imagine horse ownership without a welsh.

 

[jgmbng]

Have a lovely sec A Dales who is 19. He is my first pony and very forgiving. I have been unable to do most of the things with him that I would have liked as he was diagnosed with bone spavin shortly after I bought him howeverI love him to bits and when the time comes and he has to retire from the light hacking we are allowed to do, I would have another In a heartbeat.

 

[Burmilla]

I have a lovely young Exmoor mare. Opinionated, determined character, who is willing have a go at anything. Great ride, very comfortable and responsive. Have had TBs and Arabians for years. Decided to down-size for my dotage! Quite a culture shock, but enjoying re-discovering the joys of Exmoor pony ownership. I last had one sixty years ago!

 

[exmoorponyprincess1]

I have two Exmoors (a rising 2yo and rising 12yo) and one on the way (broodmare due in spring!)...there are 3 of us sharing a yard and one friend owns the Exie broodmare and another ridden Exie and the other friend owns a rising 4yo Exie so you can see where our theme of native pony owning is heading!! We have just taken delivery of a cracking Connie and also have a retired TB and a rising 2yo Sports Horse on the yard.
I was brought up with Dartmoors so never thought I'd end up collecting Exmoors but I absolutely adore them! I love their characters, their hardiness, their loyalty, their colouring, their strength...need I say more?!!

 

[soulfull]

I have a welsh cob, chestnut mare. I cannot tell you how awesome she
she is very forward going, fun and safe.
After years of horses that scared me I feel so safe even when she gets over excited and goes faster than she is supposed too

She is an amazing jumper, brave, Scooby and good technically. Sorts herself

We are doing novice dressage with mid to late 60's

She is a saint on the ground, leads alongside my mobility scooter all over the

I've had her just over a year now and she is just starting to show a sense of humour

She is also very sweet and loving

Can you tell I'm totally smitten, despite swearing I would never buy another welshie or a mare

 

[AmieeT]

I have a Welshie, and he is every bit the stereotype! Stubborn, bolshy, strong and gorgeous (of course!).

He's been a steep learning curve! I hadnt even ridden a donkey when I started loaning him, only had sat on my friends TB- but didn't move an inch!

He's been a fabulous teacher, become my best friend, wound me up, been a that but has looked after me so well that when the time comes, it'll be a Welsh I look for.

Ax

 

[Greylegs]

I'm another highland fan. My lad is capable, cheeky and endearing, has been barefoot all his life and exists on a very basic diet. He's done lovely dressage, pops a fence and hacks all day over any terrain. He's forward going enough to be a fun and responsive ride, but sensible enough to keep me safe. My ideal horse and wouldn't swap him for the world.

 

[Love]

Connie fan through and through. My first pony was a Connie x who had show jumped successfully in Ireland. He was a nervy lad who lived off his nerves but he had a heart the size of a bucket and taught me so so much. He was a dream to do anything with (except clip ). I now have a rising 8 Connie who I've had since he was a 4yo. He's got character to burn, can be cheeky but there is absolutely no malice in him at all and I wouldn't have it any other way. He's quirky to ride and if you give him an inch he'll take a mile but he is a cracking jumper and loves hacking out and really is perfect for me.

 

[Dizzle]

I had a Fell growing up and he was lovely, sweet and gentle but feisty and strong out hacking. Sadly we lost him very young to a cancer.

I now have a 13.2hh New Forest mare. She can turn a hoof to anything, I'm so pleased with her, the only times she has thrown me off were saddle related and as long as she is happy she doesn't put a hoof wrong. Very easy and sweet to deal with and takes up my leg very well considering in nearly 5ft9 and she's not stocky!

 

[Walrus]

I have a fell, he's awesome. We've done allsorts including pony camp,showing, workers, mini eventing and we've recently turned our focus to dressage and affiliated. Only at prelim at the moment but he qualified for area festivals in his first 2 outings then came 4th in his section at area festivals, currently half way to prelim regionals qualification and then hoping to move up to novice in a bit and also try some music. He's my little hairy superstar!

 

[Serianas]

I personally think section D's take a lot of beating

This made me laugh.. Im so going to hell...

I have a 14hh New forest (album in my profile) and as others have said they are fearless! Hes afraid of nothing when out bar anything that jumps out on him, or a snort if he hasnt seen it before... We were passing some barriers that closed off a footpath the other day, and the second he decided it wasnt scary he decided to push it over instead ¬¬

He has a cheeky streak a mile wide, but thats part due to the fact he was a rig, and the first person who had a go tried castrating him with a knife and fork ¬¬

 

[Dry Rot]

If I was younger when I chose to get ponies, I would have had Connemara's because I know that area in Ireland and have had a lot of fun there. But I'm glad I wasn't!

A dozen Highlands here which are all a delight to handle and be with. We've had gales and frosts here the last couple of weeks and are now gearing up for snow. The whole herd, from foals to oldies, live out 24/7, grow there own rugs, and eat almost all their hay (round bales stored outside) including most of the outside rind I used to peel off and burn! No one gets supplements except a red rocky salt block. There's not one with a nasty temperament and even small children ride the stallion. I'm knocking 75 and am quite happy handling any of them, though I don't ride any more. Never had any bucking or rearing when breaking them either. Against? Highlands don't like to be hurried. Give them time and they will do everything you want. What more can I say? Just be aware that not all the strains of any breed (or species!) will be identical. Shop around and take your time.

 

[roz84]

I have a 15 1 4 year old welsh d. Got him as a unhandled yearling backed him myself this year and he's been just perfect. After 7 years with a opinionated, grumpy haflinger with attitude my little Welsh has been a breath of fresh air. I also have 2 midgets who are lovely little chaps

See I have a haffie and she's fab- absolutely full of character and never a dull moment, but very loving and a brave, reliable ride. As long as the boundaries of behaviour and personal space are maintained always, she's brilliant and beautiful too! Suppose technically she isn't a native though....