The search for a small has begun…

I didn’t originally post his ad on this thread. I just really want him. But I can’t afford three horses on livery, and I fear someone might catch me out if I pretended him and Fin were the same horse like it was a Doctor Who episode.* As good an idea as that is.

So someone like BBP, who I sort of vaguely “know“ on the forum should buy him.




*That would definitely work. It's like some interdimensionality timestream crossing, like the Tenth, Eleventh, and War Doctors all being together in "The Day of the Doctor," or the Master and Missy being floridly problematic together in "The Doctor Falls." They're the same horse; from different timestreams! It would be totally unreaonable of the yard to not buy that.
 
Last edited:
Adventure small sounds ideal!!

I'm trying to persuade fellow livery we need a small and she has grandchildren too so it's really a no brainer. I've been sending her pics of the local show. The kids driving class was so cute. I might even be able to get husband on board if it's an adventure small 😅 the pubs putting tie rings up for as already.
 
Adventure smalls human definitely wants him to go to an adventure human. Rather than be a field potato. So I have to work out if that’s asking a bit much of myself given I have my two young horses both miraculously coming up towards the backing process. I don’t want adventure small to be wasted with me.

If both of mine had decided to stay on the sick list it would make it a far easier decision!
 
BBP said:
Adventure smalls human definitely wants him to go to an adventure human. Rather than be a field potato. So I have to work out if that’s asking a bit much of myself given I have my two young horses both miraculously coming up towards the backing process. I don’t want adventure small to be wasted with me.

If both of mine had decided to stay on the sick list it would make it a far easier decision!
Click to expand...
If it helps with that decision, you’ll probably have to exercise whatever comes - or they’ll have to be muzzled/restricted even more than normal. Something that hasn’t finished growing can just be left, but an adult will need to be led off another horse or lunged. Hence why my field ornament is supposed to become a riding pony this year.
 
maya2008 said:
If it helps with that decision, you’ll probably have to exercise whatever comes - or they’ll have to be muzzled/restricted even more than normal. Something that hasn’t finished growing can just be left, but an adult will need to be led off another horse or lunged. Hence why my field ornament is supposed to become a riding pony this year.
Click to expand...
The exercise element is fine, he can be a ride and lead pack pony to my sisters ridden horse, it’s more that I can’t guarantee that I will be taking it across a Scottish island or wakeboarding at the beach or hiking up a mountain any time soon….I'm not sure just how demanding he is in terms of actual adventures 😄 Middle England may not be fun enough!
 
BBP said:
The exercise element is fine, he can be a ride and lead pack pony to my sisters ridden horse, it’s more that I can’t guarantee that I will be taking it across a Scottish island or wakeboarding at the beach or hiking up a mountain any time soon….I'm not sure just how demanding he is in terms of actual adventures 😄 Middle England may not be fun enough!
Click to expand...

Teach him to pull a wee canal boat/paddle board on canal towpaths. You must have some where you are. Proper old skool.
 
Just a thought on getting a mini over a slightly taller pony.
You will be able to leave gaps in your fencing only a mini can go through so if Connie is too much the mini can escape to a safe space or decide they do want to play.

I wouldn’t worry about whether adventure pony would get enough adventures with you. You commit a lot of time to your horses and you will be able to keep him mentally engaged with the groundwork you do, any outings will be a bonus.
 
Caol Ila said:
Teach him to pull a wee canal boat/paddle board on canal towpaths. You must have some where you are. Proper old skool.
Click to expand...

oh god no, do not do that. You will have the wrath of every boater on the canal after you. They got the local bridleway closed down and that only crossed the tow path. They get very upset at the mention of horses anywhere near the canals now.
 
I'm Dun said:
oh god no, do not do that. You will have the wrath of every boater on the canal after you. They got the local bridleway closed down and that only crossed the tow path. They get very upset at the mention of horses anywhere near the canals now.
Click to expand...
Don’t worry, I’m basically hydrophobic. Not in a ‘I have rabies or I don’t wash’ kind of way, but prefer dry land activities.
 
I'm Dun said:
oh god no, do not do that. You will have the wrath of every boater on the canal after you. They got the local bridleway closed down and that only crossed the tow path. They get very upset at the mention of horses anywhere near the canals now.
Click to expand...

Why don't boaters want horses on the towpaths? Or even crossing them?
 
Peglo said:
Just a thought on getting a mini over a slightly taller pony.
You will be able to leave gaps in your fencing only a mini can go through so if Connie is too much the mini can escape to a safe space or decide they do want to play.

I wouldn’t worry about whether adventure pony would get enough adventures with you. You commit a lot of time to your horses and you will be able to keep him mentally engaged with the groundwork you do, any outings will be a bonus.
Click to expand...
This is an excellent point (the escape routes) and really worth considering. I concerned about finding the right pony to suit him. The last thing I want is yet another pony who has to be kept separate from him. I want one that enhances his life ideally. It’s been a stressful 18 months with losing 2 and gaining 2 and not all being compatible. This feels like a huge decision as it’s not really about getting just what I want or what my sister wants but what works with our other horses.
 
BBP said:
This is an excellent point (the escape routes) and really worth considering. I concerned about finding the right pony to suit him. The last thing I want is yet another pony who has to be kept separate from him. I want one that enhances his life ideally. It’s been a stressful 18 months with losing 2 and gaining 2 and not all being compatible. This feels like a huge decision as it’s not really about getting just what I want or what my sister wants but what works with our other horses.
Click to expand...
I totally get that. My little one moved temporarily yesterday. Popped her in with little Welsh A (who she knows) and my cob. In the end, the cob jumped out because little fluffy black pony would not give up on trying to be in charge. And now little fluff ball is on her own because she plays too hard with my NF and is too dominant towards my cob (who jumped out so as not to have to actually hurt her to make her stop). She’ll have to be content with chatting over the fence and being led with the others for now.

She does such a lovely job in the other field taming the bigger feisty black mare and kindly sheltering my rather pathetic gelding… but they are growing up and will integrate into the main herds sooner rather than later. Not sure what I do then!

She did ever so sweetly follow my daughter around the paddock looking for seedlings though.
 
I'm Dun said:
oh god no, do not do that. You will have the wrath of every boater on the canal after you. They got the local bridleway closed down and that only crossed the tow path. They get very upset at the mention of horses anywhere near the canals now.
Click to expand...
I was forever getting told off for riding on the towpath as a teen. 🤣 Only place about for a good canter.
 
Caol Ila said:
Why don't boaters want horses on the towpaths? Or even crossing them?
Click to expand...

God knows. It comes up on boaters groups every now and again and gets very nasty. Apparently horses will trip over the pins that tie te boats up, or gallop out of control mowing people down. I've heard some absolute nonsense about it.
 
I'm Dun said:
God knows. It comes up on boaters groups every now and again and gets very nasty. Apparently horses will trip over the pins that tie te boats up, or gallop out of control mowing people down. I've heard some absolute nonsense about it
Click to expand...
That’s a surprise to me. Surely no more of a risk than horses on any other public path.

I looked at a yard that had access to trails connecting to the Forth and Clyde Canal towpath. Which would let us ride the horse to the flat. I assumed it operated under the 2003 Land Access laws (Scotland). If we’d gone to that yard, I know we would have ridden Hermosa there without questioning it. But I know access laws are very, very different in England.
 
I'm Dun said:
God knows. It comes up on boaters groups every now and again and gets very nasty. Apparently horses will trip over the pins that tie te boats up, or gallop out of control mowing people down. I've heard some absolute nonsense about it.
Click to expand...
So you're stuck if you have a horse-drawn boat 😄
 
I'm Dun said:
God knows. It comes up on boaters groups every now and again and gets very nasty. Apparently horses will trip over the pins that tie te boats up, or gallop out of control mowing people down. I've heard some absolute nonsense about it.
Click to expand...
We had this on the local FB pages when someone had the audacity to ride across the park and through the tunnel to get to a bridle way, which to be fair isn't technically allowed I don't think, but the comments were hilarious talking about horses rearing and kicking passers by in the head 🤷
 
Search for a small has sadly stalled. My standardbred mare was due to go to a friend where she can have more personal space (she has always had her own stable and field prior to coming to mine and struggles with track system and herd living, which makes it hard for us to keep everyone happy). Sadly they lost their horse yesterday so can’t take her anymore. Which means I can’t bring another in.

I’m not sure I’ll be able to find anyone else I trust so much to have her, nor is there much demand for a 14.1 companion who wants to live next to but not in with other horses. So I will have to keep trying to make things work.
 
Turns out you can’t believe a word I say. 6 days after saying that I can’t get a small, what have I just put a deposit on?!!! It’s not adventure pony listed above, but I think you guys will approve. Bit of a wait til arrival as there are a couple of unnecessary bits of anatomy to remove first!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top