Welsh d filly advice please!

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Mylife

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Hello!
I have been given a fantastic opportunity to have a 6 month trial with a 2yo welsh section d mare! She has been an absolute darling so far with me and I feel perfectly confident and safe around her. Now the reason I am writing in the forum is that I have had so many mixed opinions on a welsh d youngster! I haven't much experience with youngsters but have tonnes of support from people who will be available to help me bring her on, and obviously 6 months to try her out and get to really know her. I have however got lots of experience riding older welsh d's Everyone has to start somewhere right? Or am I completely mad!?

Some say they are mad, some say theirs is a complete saint! I have to say the filly I am trialling ATM has been no trouble, I want a youngster because I am tired of having someone else's mistakes! I want to get it right the first time not fix something down the line! She would be sent away to be broken, opinions?

Please be kind, I'm a softie!
 
I have had my section d mare since she was 18 months. She is now 5. She had a foal last year. Having the foal settled her down. She was a fab mother - foaled on time, in her own field with her two field mates in attendance - a gypsy cob gelding and a second section d. No problems at all. She is now ridden and an absolute star under saddle. Sane and sensible. Has done a couple of dressage tests with excellent results, fun ride and loved it, in hand and ridden shows . Great.
Now. The thing is I don't believe in doing anything very much before 3 other than some in hand shows and a bit of leading around on a head collar . I basically let them be in their field to be youngsters. Easy for me to do that tho seeing as I can see them from every window in my house. Others will say differently.
I don't really understand the point of a six month trial at 2 years old. It makes me feel as if the filly is being left with you to feed and care for, for very little in return , especially with winter round the corner. Then what. Move her back again. No one gains anything other than the owner who has one off her land for six months. If you like her then buy her and enjoy her. If I can do it (and I've done it twice now ) you can do it. The end result is a pony you've brought on so if you want a mad welsh cob then you can make a mad welsh cob but at the same time if you want the kind sane welsh cob then that's what you can have by bringing her on your way. Kind gentle but decisive leadership skills and take things slowly. Have fun and enjoy.
 
I had a welch d from a foal, I sold him at 7 years old { I never sell my horses} as he was unpredicable when being ridden, ive know many more welches and I would say they are pretty feisty.
I too don't see the point in having a youngster on trail.
 
She is staying at the owners yard, it's because I have been lied to by owners in the past and want to be 110% sure I want this filly, as getting a youngster is a huge step! Her temperament seems amazing so far not rude or Bolshy I am being careful about my choice, owner wasn't planning to sell until next year but since I visited him with a friend (who has had two of his youngstock both of which are lovely) I absolutely fell for this little girl (well rather large girl actually!) and he's agreed to let me spend up to 6 months making up my mind, I palm to spend that time getting to know her and learning as much as I can so I can make an informed descision, I will get the opportunity to show her during this time if I wish
 
What a great opportunity! :)

Judge the horse in front of you, not the stereotype.

I met my grey arab when she'd just been weaned, she's exactly the same now (lovely) at 6 years old. So if you like this filly and have the support and set up for a youngster (which it sounds like you do :)), don't let the naysayers stop you.
 
We have two welsh D mares and a gelding. The mares are both complete darlings.. the gelding is a bolshy PITA! (but very funny and loved with it) We had one of the mares as a yearling and the other was 18 months, when you have them that young then really they are what you make of them. If you put in the work and provide clear and consistent boundaries then you will have no problems. Welshies do tend to see an inch and take a mile, so the boundaries are important... simple things like stepping ack when you feed, moving over and leading on a loose rope.. nothing difficult ut nonetheless rules that have to be adhered to.

Have fun, she sounds a delight!
 
I have three welsh D mares. All brought as 2 year olds. I love them all.
They all demonstrate stereotypical welsh behaviour. Stubborn, bolshy they know best.
They are also clever, brave and great fun.
Just make sure they know who is boss, treat them with a firm but kind hand and you will have a friend for life.
Mine are now 9, 5,4. All beautiful girls
 
She was a saint for me last night, standing, backing up, turning and walking on as soon as I asked very respectful of me on the ground!

The only thing the concerns me is whether my riding will be up to scratch for when she is ready, but that's for my instructor to figure out!
 
Mylife said:
She was a saint for me last night, standing, backing up, turning and walking on as soon as I asked very respectful of me on the ground!

The only thing the concerns me is whether my riding will be up to scratch for when she is ready, but that's for my instructor to figure out!
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Spookiness has been common in the d's I've had so some in hand stuff around trec style obstacles would be my way if I ever get a youngster so that they learn not to be so reactive to weird stuff! Love, love mine though so I too say go for it. You won't know if your up to the job ridden as you won't know for a long while how she'll be to back but you have time to know her personality and that will help with yours and her confidence.
 
Interesting you say that, I want to do trec with her eventually, inspired by a pony I used to loan who is actually in her family tree! He was amazing and taught me a lot, his owner, who also owns another of his relatives, is one of the people who will be helping me!
 
My old boy was a Sec D. I didn't know him as a 2 year old but a firend did and he was no different when he died at 27 than he was at 2. Bolshy, arrogant, stubborn, stupidly excitable bordering on certifiable....but also bombproof, talented, genuine, safe as houses and a jumping machine. His mother (owned by a friend) was exactly the same and her full sister was an RDA pony. My boy's half brother was a superb dressage pony but apparently incredibly lazy and really took some riding, but most people thought mine was the difficult one - he was easy, just sit still,let him get on with it and show no fear! They all couldn't have been any more different and they were closely related. There's no such thing as a typical Section D. If this filly's as nice as you think she is, don't let their quirky reputation put you off.
 
With welsh D's you really either love them or hate them...they are an acquired taste.

My Dad's welsh D who I also ride is just lovely to be around and I adore her but she wouldn't be to everyone's taste as she has some very funny quirks. She can be a dope on a rope but she can also be pretty reactive about stuff. You can't do any lunging or groundwork with her as it just makes her extremely anxious. She has also been known to become so anxious about something on a ride that she literally stopped breathing. But she absolutely tries her heart out for you and if she says No to something then we no she honestly cannot cope.

I admit to being very anti-welsh D before Dad got her and didn't really think that my personality would gel with that of a D but I'm very pleasantly surprised. :)

If you can get them on your side they will be your horse of a lifetime but you need a fairly understanding outlook on life at times! ;)
 
I have 2 section D's ( mother and daughter) and they are as different as chalk and cheese so try and forget the stereo types! What they both are though is a lot of fun and they always have been. I would give it a go, having a horse from a youngster can be very rewarding I'd love to get another but with 2 elderly mares to look after I've no chance! Good luck!
 
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