Which horse?

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Serianas

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Hi all,
Firstly I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has helped me in my previous threads. Now I have sat down and worked out everything I see that its possible, nay probable, to get my own horse… My other half asked me the other day how I was feeling about it and I all I could say was ‘terrifed, excited, nervous, thrilled!’ and when he asked ‘why?’ all I could say is that I have thought this has been out of my reach for more year than I can care to remember, when someone told me I could have it… well, human nature immediately says ‘whats the catch?’ lol Anyway I digress…
So I have found a place I would like to keep my very own I think… now its onto what type of horse would be good for me? I am 5 foot nothing and 10 stone… I have a couple of stipulations and please don’t have at me with the flaming toilet paper… I don’t want a traditional cob (yes I know they are all the rage at the moment !)… I like them but they are not for me J I like plain, bays and blacks but colour doesn’t matter too much (obviously the type of horse is more important!)
I am fancying a section D or a hafflinger… also I would like the horse to ride like a pony if that makes sense… how small could I go without squashing the poor thing? I was looking about 14.2-15.1 ish.. I want something that’s fun and casual that can jump a little… maybe im being too picky… Its much easier buying a car ¬¬
Thanks if you got this far and suggestions are very welcome! Forgive my need to plan ever step to the nth degree but that’s just me J
 
I havent seen all your other posts so bear with

The MOST IMPORTANT thing is how much experience riding riding do you have???
I notice you say you share a horse, what is he/she like? breed? age etc is he well schooled/behaved

I know you said you don't want a traditional and I respect that, I don't either! But what I do want is a safe sensible fun all rounder!!
therefore you need to chose very carefully.

there are plenty of irish type cobs that will do what you want with their eyes closed and safely too unless your experienced avoid welsh cobs!! there are a few good ones around but most need an experienced rider/handler. if they have that at current home when you view they will seem perfect. once you get them home its nearly always a different story. I've had a few Welshies in my time so have a good idea what I am talking about

if you want to jump competitively even at a low level you need t know if your local venues do adults riding ponies, otherwise you will have to have 14.3h

What about these. ive chosen these for the look not their safety, as havent read adverts. but I bet some would be perfect because of their type! my point is that you need something safe and often what we like the look of isn't what we need!

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/cobs-horse-16-yrs-14-2-hh-dark-bay-south-glamorgan/Horses/310076

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/cobs-horse-6-yrs-5-mths-14-2-hh-black-gloucestersh/Horses/310868

or a nice connie
http://www.horsemart.co.uk/pony-club-ponies-horse-8-yrs-14-2-hh-dun-cambridge/Horses/311657

http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-horse-6-yrs-6-mths-14-1-hh-grey-/Horses/311601

wish you luck
 
I wouldn't worry about the breed tbh. This forum is full of people who intended to buy one thing and ended up with something completely different but it's their perfect horse.

Start by making a list of the attributes that your horse MUST have (mine would be bombproof in traffic, mare), the attributes you would like but could be flexible on, e.g. age, height and those that really don't matter even if you have a preference e.g. colour. Then start browsing the internet ads for horses within your budget. Don't bother looking at those which are way above your budget, in case you spot the perfect one, lol. Get an idea of what's available within your budget and then make a short list.
Ring the vendors, rather than email or text, if you want written confirmation, you can always get that later. When you talk to the vendor if there is anything at all which makes you wonder, back out gracefully. If there is a horse which sounds like what you are looking for, arrange to go and see it as soon as you can.
Your preferred height sounds fine to me - just be careful though, both Hafflingers and Section Ds can be tricky as first horses.
Enjoy your search!
 
thanks guys, this is why I love this forum, people are so sweet! forgot to mention I have been riding just over 20 years! When I am nervous my brain turns to fluff....

I had loan ponies all my childhood and yep I do share a gorgeous cobxShire 16.2hh and nutty as a fruit bat... (seriously... upturned buckets, invisible squirrels and rocks cause us massive problems but tractors and other big scary things not a problem)... I dont wnat to say too much because I dont want to upset my share mum... dont quite know how to tell her :(

I dont want to jump competitavely, just not to be too terrified to take part in local fun days etc :)

Im not a novice by any means, and not to horse management... maybe just a little rusted around the edges.
 
If I were you I'd forget about breed altogether, the two you have specified there can be quite difficult so probably not the wisest choice if you are looking for a nice allrounder to do a bit of jumping with. As Soulful said, you have to be careful if you want to compete as you might limit yourself with anything under 14.3 - so for someone your height and weight I'd say a 15 - 15.2 would be perfect. Dont be put off by bigger horses, I'm only 5"3 and rode a 17.3 for a long time, he was the best horse I ever had (my current 16hh is a nightmare, I've always found the smaller they are the naughtier they are!).

I'd base your search purely on the height criteria and your budget. And then age - for your 1st horse you dont want too young so nothing under 7 or 8, but equally you want to build a long happy partnership so nothing over 15 either. So here are a few I've found that look great - various budgets so you would have to narrow down depending on how much you are willing to spend:

Approx £4.5k http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-7-yrs-10-mths-15-1-hh-bay-kent/Horses/310397

£4.8k - http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-horse-9-yrs-15-1-hh-dapple-grey-/Horses/311888

£4k - http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-horse-10-yrs-15-1-hh-roan-east-s/Horses/311734

£2.2k - http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-horse-12-yrs-15-0-hh-bay-warwick/Horses/311081

Just under £2k and probably my favourite (sounds perfect for you) - http://www.horsemart.co.uk/all-rounder-horse-9-yrs-10-mths-15-2-hh-dark-bay-w/Horses/308691

Hopefully that should give you some ideas - there are plenty of lovely horses out there and I wouldnt limit yourself to a breed as you are not wanting to do anything specific. Fair enough if you were wanting to do dressage, then a WB would be advisable. Just like if you were wanting to event, then a ISH or Irish x TB would be better. But because you are wanting an allrounder you are best looking at a bit of everything rather than being so specific so soon.

Keep your options open, limit yourself on by budget height and age and you will find a great little horse I'm sure!
 
What sort of facilities have you found to keep the new horse?
What do you want to achieve with the horse?
What are the characters/traits that you definitely don't want?
What sort of budget do you have?
 
right so:
Its a DIY yard with all the mod cons, and a turnout in a morning service since I am in work stupidly early!
I would like to maybe one day go to local shows but give it a few years :S
I dont want anything thats crackers in the stable and must hack alone (I am too nervous when riding with people)
and upto about £2k
 
Serianas said:
right so:
Its a DIY yard with all the mod cons, and a turnout in a morning service since I am in work stupidly early!
I would like to maybe one day go to local shows but give it a few years :S
I dont want anything thats crackers in the stable and must hack alone (I am too nervous when riding with people)
and upto about £2k
Click to expand...

What area of the uk are you?
 
I don't know, I've met some really really ploddy Haffies over the years! (and some not so)

You'd be better typing in under 15h allrounder into the search facility on various horse sales websites and seeing what it brings up for you, rather than trying to decide on a particular type or colour at this point. Then see what you fancy viewing when you've read through them..
 
Might get lynched for suggesting this, but what about a nice criollo, a retired polo pony? Criollos are ( on the most part - and all that I've known!) very safe, steady and reliable. Whilst not plods, they are the kind you have to ask to move, rather than ask to stop! Would be within your price range, they're usually very well handled, sane and safe - my 63yr old mum has one for her hack and he's such a gent.

Just a thought anyway - there are some very nice criollos on the Retired Polo Pony page on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/retiredandexpoloponies/
 
I have a 14.2 D, was my first pony ;) We have had the best fun ever over the last 8.5 years. Trust him completely despite him still being infuriating at times :p. He has enough talent for me to have been able to play with and enough sense to keep us safe ;).

Play is the key word, he likes dress up ;) has done games as well as all the normal sort of stuff - if I ask him to do it he's usually game :D and obviously he does ride like a pony ;)

Wasn't looking for a D in particular, just something that could be an all rounder and he came along- I struggle to imagine having anything else now!
 
New Forest! They are the best ponies to just have fun on and do a bit of everything :D Although, I always thought I wanted a tb or arab, and yet my horse of a lifetime is a cob. So just try anything, don't rule something out due to breed, it's the personality match you want, and that can come wrapped up in any kind of body.
 
I would really just search on height and budget at the min, at then narrow down adverts based on temperament and ability. Having a list of must haves, nice to haves and must nots is really helpful.

But don't be too set on what breed/colour/age you will have… we have had our new pony a month. He is absolutely incredible. Totally safe, but fun and happy to go when asked. Easy for my ten year old to handle and ride, polite and friendly. No he is not for sale!! :D

However, we were adamant we were going for a native type, ideally a connie, and ideally dark, preferably bay with no socks!!

He is a coloured cob with only a few black patches and white eyes. Not what I imagined at all. But he is incredible and i hope he is with us forever. So glad i went to see him - over 400mile round trip! Just don't get too caught up on looks etc as your perfect pony may be out there in a totally different form.
 
thanks guys! So what you are basically my perfect pony is out there just waiting for me to notice him :) I have been searching today and already im challenging my own perceptions :S Im still trying desperately trying not to get excited lol
 
On Facebook.....

Oxnead Haflinger Stud
October 11
Oxnead Apollo.
4 year old, 15.1hh. Brilliant little lad! Hacks in alone or in company, Brilliant in all traffic. Working well on the flat and loves jumping. Good to do in all ways, fantastic movement. Would do well in the show ring, now ready to start going out and having some fun! Will be going to his first show 26/10/13, so welcome to view him there.
£2250 ono
Photo: Oxnead Apollo.
4 year old, 15.1hh. Brilliant little lad! Hacks in alone or in company, Brilliant in all traffic. Working well on the flat and loves jumping. Good to do in all ways, fantastic movement. Would do well in the show ring, now ready to start going out and having some fun! Will be going to his first show 26/10/13, so welcome to view him there.
£2250 ono
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