The Perfect Plod! Help finding a great confidence giving pony!

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Gabbiebarrett

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After learning to ride as a child I took up riding again a few years back as an adult. I had my own ponies as a child and I did a lot of showing and pony club, riding often naughty or difficult ponies. Unfortunately the confidence and guts I had as a child seems to have melted away over the years and although I ride competantly I do not ride confidently.

After three years of riding at riding schools and having shares/ riding friends horses - I decided to take the plunge and get something of my own. As I am not a confident rider and I hope to share with my mother I am looking for the perfect plod. I am looking for a school master/kick a long/put your granny or your baby on/ non spooky/bombproof pony. Ideal for a novice rider.

Ideally no bigger than 14 hands, native breed type and preferably a gelding older than 5 or 6. To live out all year round. Preference would be long term loan but would consider buying.

Unfortunately I cant seem to find anything suitable and I wondered where such a horse/pony could be found. Does this even exist?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Don't know where you are but give Emma at ClipClop Traders a call. - She's in East Sussex but peeps come from far and wide to get horses from her and a number of us on here have bought from her.
 
Thanks - I did have a look but there were very few on her site. I'll drop her an email though. A long term loan would be ideal - but if its not possible buying is an option.
 
She won't do loans and as you've found saints are like hens teeth to loan unless you can find one via your riding school/pony club/riding club?

She doesn't advertise really anymore as importing a lot less nowadays but well worth a chat.
 
They are about you just need to keep your ears open. Put up some wanted notices in the local tack shops and feed merchants and look at equine web sites.
 
I'm going to jump on this band wagon. Am looking for same but a bit bigger 15.2-16.2 & a bit older 10+. Am in north west so don't really want to be travelling 'down South'. Have tried all ideas already suggested & not found anything suitable. Bombproof confidence givers may be out there somewhere but I'm blowed if I can find them.
 
I went to see a trad cob with some friends as a mother/daughter share. He was a plod and 100% bombproof. Very affectionate, stood being hosed down and was very well mannered. His name is Gordon, all black with white feather. Loved him to bits but he was too slow for the daughter. Imo overpriced so not sure if they would take an offer. Based in Maldon, Essex. PM me if you want any details. I don't have the owners details but have a contact name.
 
Where are you?

highlands are fab, very kind you can get the odd one... Mines bright but honest all hot air and no trousers ! Far to genuine to put himself or me in danger!

My mums would be perfect but unless you can fool my mother into letting her part with her... You can't!

A good native, native cross or traddie cob sound great. Try preloved people do sell on their!
 
Agree, a Highland would fit the bill, Im an older rider and not the most confident in the world and my pony is just the best. He is so genuine and honest, really looks after us both, He has his moments but there is no malice in him whatsoever and he isnt sharp or spooky at all. Just the loveliest chap and I wish Id found this breed years ago :)
 
yes a highland might fit the bill and there are lots of genuinely lovely easy ones, but if you do go down that route, choose carefully and dont be fooled as there are definitely a more sharp and tricky variety too ;)
 
I am looking for one too...for older rider, bombproof, nice person 14.1 or 14.2...in Essex. Very good, loving home awaits this saint!
 
Have you talked to the rehoming charities who loan their ponies, they would be totally honest with you and not let you have something unsuitable. They have traditional cobs to rehome.

Horses4Homes might be worth you contacting as well as WHW, Redwings, Blue cross.
 
Great suggestions thanks! Have looked at WHW Redwings etc. but ill keep looking. Thanks for the suggestion on breeds as well. Sounds good as I am looking for something that would be out all year.
 
Don't discount an oldie either, I bought my boy at 15 and he's still fit as a fiddle at 19. I'm teaching my OH to ride on my friend's 24 year old Welshie and another friend has a 23 year old anglo who is still doing sponsored rides etc so don't let age put you off as quite often they are the best confidence givers. Good luck in finding something soon!
 
I would look on the specific breed websites for the New Forest, Fell, Dales and Highland and on horses4homes for something on loan.

It may be easier if you are prepared to go for an older horse or accept something with quirks on the ground in order to find the perfect confidence giver when in the saddle.

I had one of these a perfect ridden confidence giver, practically bombproof but he was awful to handle when I first had him, this did greatly improve though.
 
I'd go older if I was you! We have 2 oldies, my new one,15 year old highland who is exactly as you describe and my daughters 22year old cob who again I trust completely. I don't think any 6 year old could be described as bombproof and suitable for your granny to ride- they simply haven't had the life experience yet!
 
Try looking in the pony club classifieds adverts, or post a wanted one yourself.
 
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