The Next One....?

[DragonSlayer]

We have 4 horses, all of them with us until the bitter end, come hell or high water...

The oldest, currently on a share, is 20 this next year, and is now undergoing vet investigations because of lameness, I think the time is nearing for his retirement...

Two others will be 17 and the other 16...

Certainly not over the hill, but before I turn my field into a haven for OAP's, I'm pondering on what sort of neddy I would end up with when the other beasties are all in retirement, living the good life on good food and hay, whilst we eat baked beans...

I'm 5ft 3 tall, not fat but not a model-shape either..and I quite like riding squidgy ponies! I could see myself doing Trec on a 13.2-14.2....but not having owned a pony in years, what breeds can you suggest I might want to look out for? My first pony was of mixed breeding, and not had experience with some of our native study breeds....

Share your experiences please!

 

[rhino]

The world's your oyster! As you know, with TREC it really is down to temperament, sometimes the native's sense of self preservation would come in handy!

The 'bigger' native ponies would be fine height and weight wise - the ones I would be more keen on would be highland/dales/fell and NF although there are of course connemara/welsh C and D which could fit the bill.

I have always found the forest and moor bred ponies are very wily, as well as having the most amazing stamina. Something like a NF/Exmoor cross could be ideal (I have my eye on an exmoorxtb youngster at the moment for buying to TREC). Some of the more unusual crosses could also be good - the highlandxandalusian that we have been trying to bully JTFD into buying would be a good 'type'.

 

[be positive]

Having had most of the Native breeds at some time, I would say they all have their good points and like many things it often comes down to the individual personality.
The New forests are usually very good allrounders often with a talented jump, as are the Connies but the most fun person I ever owned was a Dales, he had a great personality and was very bold.

 

[Paddy Irish]

Fells and dales would be my choice - they usually have a set of rock hard black feet ( I'm dreaming of a decent set of feet already ) , some fells can be a bit headstrong but you don't seem too whimpish to me - I'm sure you could scare one into shape pretty sharpish If you listen to what HRH prince philip has to say about them - in one word - indistructable!

 

[indiat]

Highlands!!! But then I'm a tad biased!

 

[JFTDWS]

Some of the more unusual crosses could also be good - the highlandxandalusian that we have been trying to bully JTFD into buying would be a good 'type'.

No it wouldn't. It's ugly as sin, conformation of a yak, wildly over priced, probably not even a horse. I think it's some kind of bison in disguise.

I would recommend a highland or highland x though - lots of highlands out doing TREC (mine included ) and endurance and the like. A good highland should be a nice athletic all rounder with plenty of stamina and well endowed with mental capacity. Can't beat them.

Just not that wee highland x andy. Hands off. Mine.

 

[DragonSlayer]

Brill, thanks guys! Will just start to look about, ya know...

....just look......!

 

[Deefa]

Welsh all the way for me! Most versitile ponies i have had

 

[indiat]

Brill, thanks guys! Will just start to look about, ya know...

....just look......!

PM me if you want a recommendation about the stud we bought from in Berkshire. I don't want to look like I am advertising. The boy we bought has super paces, athletic ability and yet is the sweetest, cuddliest goof! Perfect when you have two little girls who need something sweet and sensible and yet one wants to the next Ellen Whitaker!

 

[CarolineJ]

No it wouldn't. It's ugly as sin, conformation of a yak, wildly over priced, probably not even a horse. I think it's some kind of bison in disguise.

"I am NOT a bison!!!!"

Actually, I thought of you today, there's an 8-y-o Highland x Connemara gelding newly advertised locally It's not *that* much further!