What would you do?

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maya2008

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I currently ride a dinky little mare who was supposed to be for my son but decided she wanted to grow up fully herself before she was willing to tolerate a child. I am not too big for her (she’s a stocky native and I’m short) but I do feel a lot happier for competitive things on something 14hh+. I am also well aware that she may shift allegiance once she is mature and realises that kids are the easy option. Then I will lose her to one of my children.

For now though, she has claimed me as ‘hers’ and from the first time I sat on her, I felt that calm connection that you can get. The one I hadn’t had from riding since my TB retired. She made me want to ride again, rather than drifting a bit and doing it because the other ponies needed exercising, rather than because I wanted to. But I miss competing and she doesn’t really like dressage (probably at least in part because she is built downhill).

So… I could take one of the others out for a SJ spin from time to time - I need to sit on the older SJ pony to help keep her fit anyway. Or I could borrow my husband’s coblet to do the same (husband not very keen, he is quite possessive!). So then I could compete at something. Unfortunately, what I really want to do is dressage.

I think my husband might rebel if I bought another for me, and sweet little mare who makes life good and happy might have a serious jealousy fit…but he won’t let me borrow his (he doesn’t compete yet his coblet LOVES schooling and is built perfectly for it - oh the irony!). So…

I could get away with a project maybe? We were considering that to pay for bigger lorry/additional trailer so he would probably say yes. Budget is pretty small though…
 
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Trouper

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Ask OH how he would feel if you had the one that was best suited to his discipline and he had the "misfit". If you don't get a satisfactory answer, go ahead and look for your "own".!!
 
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maya2008

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Thanks for all the replies!

Little mare is registered New Forest and is a full-up 12.2hh. She takes up my full length of leg, and a 16” saddle, but has quite a short neck. She is built like a tank in many ways - wide, flat back, minimal wither, croup high.

My project pony budget is unfortunately pretty much in the feral pony category. I could back and ride away some smaller ponies to collect more pennies that way before looking for something bigger though. I love the very beginning, all the firsts and the joy of discovery - then it’s all over so soon really and they’re settling in to a year or so of hacking as calm collected adults. I also have two children who could prove that anything I produced was as child safe as a young pony can be (as our 11.2hh is a current shining example of!).
 
Caol Ila

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I know of an ex-feral Highland for sale. Last time I saw him, he was far more of a project than I was wanting at the time, but he was cheaper. Inquiries could be made. He's about 13.3hh and built like a brick sh1thouse, even wider than mine.
 
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maya2008

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Caol Ila said:
I know of an ex-feral Highland for sale. Last time I saw him, he was far more of a project than I was wanting at the time, but he was cheaper. Inquiries could be made. He's about 13.3hh and built like a brick sh1thouse, even wider than mine.
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Sadly he’s probably out of my budget as I know Highlands are expensive. I do love a good project though - and have a nice herd of well-behaved ponies to help educate any newcomers. My old TB likes to keep them all in line and ensure they behave appropriately towards each other and the humans around them. She’s been civilising semi-feral ponies for 18 years now and is a pro at it - she does half my work for me!

What made him more of a project than you wanted?
 
Caol Ila

Caol Ila

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maya2008 said:
Sadly he’s probably out of my budget as I know Highlands are expensive. I do love a good project though - and have a nice herd of well-behaved ponies to help educate any newcomers. My old TB likes to keep them all in line and ensure they behave appropriately towards each other and the humans around them. She’s been civilising semi-feral ponies for 18 years now and is a pro at it - she does half my work for me!

What made him more of a project than you wanted?
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He might not be mega-bucks since he's an unregistered ex-feral. He was around £3500 when I saw him last year. He was from the same feral herd as my horse, but he hadn't been ridden away, although he'd worn tack. My horse was ridable (albeit green as a green thing) when I viewed them, so he cost a little more, but not a lot as far as Highlands go. At the time, my PRE was in her postpartum bonkers feral phase, and I just wanted something friendly and cuddly to ride then and there (never have my standards been so low). Foinavon immediately ticked those boxes, whereas his pal needed more work to get there.

I'm still on good terms with Fin's ex-owner. I could find out more info if you want.
 
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maya2008

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Caol Ila said:
He might not be mega-bucks since he's an unregistered ex-feral. He was around £3500 when I saw him last year. He was from the same feral herd as my horse, but he hadn't been ridden away, although he'd worn tack. My horse was ridable (albeit green as a green thing) when I viewed them, so he cost a little more, but not a lot as far as Highlands go. At the time, my PRE was in her postpartum bonkers feral phase, and I just wanted something friendly and cuddly to ride then and there (never have my standards been so low). Foinavon immediately ticked those boxes, whereas his pal needed more work to get there.

I'm still on good terms with Fin's ex-owner. I could find out more info if you want.
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My budget starts with a 2 ?! Thanks for offering though!
 
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maya2008

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I looked around Facebook today and found that you can get a 3yo of 13-14hh or thereabouts for under £2k (or an ex-racer for a little more - but I promised myself no more TBs…). I also noticed that dressage ponies (they do up to Medium don’t they?) go for ridiculous sums of money!

I might spend a month throwing money at the little mare (in terms of school hire) and see if she can improve more on a better surface. I also managed to get a better saddle fitted to her yesterday, so that might help. If none of that works, I will have a stronger argument to persuade the husband on the ‘new pony’ front. I could perhaps get him to agree to a longer term project too if I show him the prices of dressage ponies…!
 
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Back in the day (70's) my sister used to do dressage, very low level stuff, on her 12hh welsh. She was a lightweight 5'9". His paces weren't brilliant but because he was accurate he did surprisingly well and they enjoyed themselves which is what it is all about.
 
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There is a lady on here that does dressage on a lovely welsh B and has just started a welsh C. She does incredibly well and both ponies are gorgeous. I really can't remember her name on here, but I'm sure someone will know.

Anyway, if the idea of project is on the cards already I go down that route. If you like new forest ponies have a look for a slightly larger one, they turn their hoof to anything those ponies.
 
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dorsetladette said:
There is a lady on here that does dressage on a lovely welsh B and has just started a welsh C. She does incredibly well and both ponies are gorgeous. I really can't remember her name on here, but I'm sure someone will know.
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i wonder if you are thinking of Hallo2012 ? I'm sure her aspirations for her stallions are to dressage up beyond Medium.....
 
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Hallo2012

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dorsetladette said:
There is a lady on here that does dressage on a lovely welsh B and has just started a welsh C. She does incredibly well and both ponies are gorgeous. I really can't remember her name on here, but I'm sure someone will know.

Anyway, if the idea of project is on the cards already I go down that route. If you like new forest ponies have a look for a slightly larger one, they turn their hoof to anything those ponies.
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thank you so much for being so kind about the boys :)

OP i am 5'7 so a bit dangly legs on my two (both 13hh) but we dont let it stop us!

my sec B stallion qualified 4,5 and 6yo pony championships and is competing elem, schooling advanced medium.
AF1.jpg
yp1.jpg

I have just started my 4yo C stallion and he will hopefully do the 4yo classes

sprout 1.jpg
Sprout 2.jpg
 
ester

ester

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Not that that’s all they can physically do- given that we’ve a fair few doing more than that on the forum ;)
 
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maya2008

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Hallo2012 - I think my biggest problem is that my mare is croup high on top of being small - are yours built uphill or do you have any tips on dealing with downhill conformation? My previous mare was built uphill (as is husband’s cob) and both find dressage easy.

At least your pics give me hope I wouldn’t be laughed out of the ring though!
 
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Hallo2012

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maya2008 said:
Hallo2012 - I think my biggest problem is that my mare is croup high on top of being small - are yours built uphill or do you have any tips on dealing with downhill conformation? My previous mare was built uphill (as is husband’s cob) and both find dressage easy.

At least your pics give me hope I wouldn’t be laughed out of the ring though!
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My B is croup high with the fairly typical dippy welsh back, the C is more level (unusually for a C!) and more naturally uphill but once my B is working he transforms, back comes up and he finds the work very easy-has started big canter pirouettes and baby tempi changes...i train with a team rider and he adores the ponies, takes them very seriously.

you have lots to aim for too, area festivals, native champs as well as quest etc :)
 
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dorsetladette

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Hallo2012 said:
thank you so much for being so kind about the boys :)

OP i am 5'7 so a bit dangly legs on my two (both 13hh) but we dont let it stop us!

my sec B stallion qualified 4,5 and 6yo pony championships and is competing elem, schooling advanced medium.
View attachment 90234
View attachment 90237

I have just started my 4yo C stallion and he will hopefully do the 4yo classes

View attachment 90238
View attachment 90239
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They are gorgeous boys. I love seeing your updates. I hope my little bay C will be like your lad when he grows up.
 
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