Which Native?

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Holding

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Counting my chickens a bit here, but I am (hopefully!) getting my own yard within the next month or so, and if and when I do I will need a companion pony for my gelding to play with. I want something easy that can live out all year, and that will be hardy enough to withstand my naughty pony playing rough. So I'm thinking of getting a native. My question is - which one? I want something low maintenance and bombproof, that's safe enough to throw a child on and big enough for my mum to hack out on (so capable of carrying 11 stone, although more would be a bonus). Any recommendations? Preferably with pictures!
 
Mmmm, just wondering, are you wanting a pure-bred native?? Personally I'd look for somethign that's a bit of a "mongrel" TBH rather than a pure-bred, which are like hens teeth to get and naturally the price goes up!

It sounds like you want something about 14hh or thereabouts, with good attitude as you'll be wanting to put a child up. Is the adult rider experienced??? Its good to have an adult riding a pony that's frequently ridden by a child occasionally so as to give them a good sorting out now and then! (sorry, mean the pony not the child! :))

If you want it predominantly as a companion, then why not look at some of the rescue websites? OK so you'll have to pay a "registration" fee no doubt, but this might be one place of sourcing what you want?

I'd be inclined to look for a cross-breed of around 14hh or so, perhaps Connie or New Forest cross, or maybe something with a bit of Welsh in it. But temperament would be the over-riding factor for me at least.
 
We have a lovely Fell on loan. He is a sturdy beast and although he was borrowed for my son to learn to ride, I can hack him out easily. He is about 13.3 but would carry 11 stone. He is happy to live out all year without rugs and except for when he is working hard doesn't need any extra food. We haven't had to restrict grazing as he seems very sensible out on grass and isn't prone to laminitis. And the best bit is he doesn't need trimming or much grooming and is unshod - all perfect for a teenage boy!
He's a great pony and if he represents Fells, sounds like a similar type would suit your needs. I'll try to upload a picture.
 
Mmmm, just wondering, are you wanting a pure-bred native?? Personally I'd look for somethign that's a bit of a "mongrel" TBH rather than a pure-bred, which are like hens teeth to get and naturally the price goes up!
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You might be right - I'm not interested in showing or anything, just want something that is an easy keeper and a safe hack/nanny for my young horses. My mum (who would be the main rider) is very novicey - I could do some schooling but not sure I could get on a 14hh pony as I'm 5'10 and weigh about 12.5 stone!

Maybe I should be looking for a loan rather than to buy then, as I don't want to spend over £1000 for something that is mainly just a companion/light hack.

He's a great pony and if he represents Fells, sounds like a similar type would suit your needs. I'll try to upload a picture.
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He sounds exactly the sort of thing I want - can I ask how you found him?
 
We were offered him by a friend, who knew we were looking. It was a surprise really so may be worth just letting people know what you are looking for.

I'm having trouble uploading a picture, but will keep trying.
 
I was looking for something similar earlier this year, native type pony about 14.2. I put a wanted advert on preloved and had a lot of replies with several suitable ponies. There were a few replies with unsuitable types but I guess you always get some that either don't read the advert or just want rid.

A native in good condition and reasonably fit at that sort of size shouldn't have an issue with those weights doing a bit of schooling or hacking.
 
As suggested above, have a look at the rescue sites, they only loan ponies that are suitable for the person, and assess them very carefully before loaning.

Many people call coloured cobs 'natives' because they have lived out for generations and are very hardy. If you read posts on here there are a lots of cob lovers out there, and with good reason, they seem to have lovely temperments.
 
I would probably go for a cob of no specific breeding or a welsh X, although if you've got spare money to buy something nice then whatever takes your fancy, fells are nice and I love highlands but they seem to be expensive compared to other similar native ponies.

I would go for something about 14.2 or slightly more, no point going smaller so you can't ride it as the difference in cost is kind of minimal! I have a 10hh welsh A as companion to my 15hh haflinger and apart from grazing they eat much the same token feed and maybe slightly varying hay needs but I haven't needed to feed much hay this year anyway. There is slightly less poo picking than if I had another big one mind!
 
I would love a highland, but given that this is horse number 4, I'm really not sure I can justify spending that much and all the ones I've seen are out of my budget. Same goes for haffies, although I love the breed and would love to have one.

A cob is probably a safe bet, although I've heard that Welsh Cobs are not the most reliable horse for a novice (to stereotype hugely!). And I'm not sure I can deal with something coloured - it might not be for me to ride, but I do have to look at it every day. ;)

Anyone have any suggestions as to where to pick up a reasonably priced (non-coloured) cob? Don't mind putting some time and effort in and backing/schooling it myself, providing it is sane to begin with.
 
Most of the enquiries I get for Highlands as riding ponies are for safe plodders.

Safe plodders are just what are wanted as deer ponies for obvious reasons.

So, if Highlands are expensive, ponies in this category are doubly so!

Unfortunately, I much prefer breeding and working with Highlands with a bit of get-up-and-go as they are a lot more fun.:D So I'm afraid I can't help the OP....





...on the other hand....:)
 
Holding said:
I would love a highland, but given that this is horse number 4, I'm really not sure I can justify spending that much and all the ones I've seen are out of my budget. Same goes for haffies, although I love the breed and would love to have one.

A cob is probably a safe bet, although I've heard that Welsh Cobs are not the most reliable horse for a novice (to stereotype hugely!). And I'm not sure I can deal with something coloured - it might not be for me to ride, but I do have to look at it every day. ;)

Anyone have any suggestions as to where to pick up a reasonably priced (non-coloured) cob? Don't mind putting some time and effort in and backing/schooling it myself, providing it is sane to begin with.
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If £1500 isn't too much then what about this little lady? Gb registered haflingers not a driving type bulk import from the continent. I got my mare from her breeders (who only breed a couple a year and are very nice)and have met this horses mum when i viewed my filly, and she has a nice temperament.
Mine was a lot more expensive than this one and was unbroken, so this mare could be a bargain in the recession.
Also they would consider a loan too, maybe you could do a loan with view to buy? And you aren't too far away really, not the other end of the country?
Every one needs an orange pony. And you could do the breed show and there are classes at royal windsor cos the queen has them.
http://haflingersgb.com/classified-...ale-or-loan/bedfordshire/haflingers-for-sale/
 
If £1500 isn't too much then what about this little lady?
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Lol, I had already found her and the other one up for loan/sale from the same place. I had half an e-mail drafted before I decided that I should probably wait to know for sure if I was going to have a spare stable. I've wanted a haffie since I spent a year working with one in Canada who was the coolest dude ever. I am a bit worried that I would squish that little mare though - she's only 14hh!

ETA:

Unfortunately, I much prefer breeding and working with Highlands with a bit of get-up-and-go as they are a lot more fun. So I'm afraid I can't help the OP....
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I actually quite like the sound of a sporty Highland. Ideal horse would be calm enough for my mum and fun enough for me to take hunting/XC, but I'm not sure that exists in my budget!
 
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Ooh go on... join the orange side! The facebook group 'haflingers for sale or wanted' has had loooads recently up for loan or comparatively cheap, some of them were projects though. There is a 'highland pony appreciation' one as well and have seen a couple of non-showing highlands (if they have a bit of white on them, their loss really) for sale on there. Both are weight carriers so depends on the type. My girl is a 'stretched upwards' sporty haflinger really and her slimmest saddle size is XW, going up to XXXW, which kind of gives you an idea of the chunkiness.
 
This was a long thread with lots of pics about adults riding ponies... it might be worth a peruse...

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=588627&highlight=adults+riding+ponies

I have a 14hh welsh x, the sort of thing the second post described... but he is anything but bombproof!

Also, it's worth bearing in mind that lots of natives are anything but easy to look after as they need such strict grazing regimes in the summer, which may mean muzzling, sectioning off the paddock, etc.

So it might be worth consider a native X TB or similar that might not be quite so inclined towards weight gain.

From my limited experience highlands do seem to be wonderful ponies but I do think you'd struggle to get one for around that price. You would get a youngster, but that wouldn't do for putting the child on. Haflingers have a reputation for being strong.

I think you are looking for an individual horse rather than a breed, though.
 
I have the perfect one for you:) highlandxconnie. Gorgeous girl just looking for some fun! Just postage from ireland to be considered......
 
General cob type may be suitable depending on the temperment - some cobs can be pretty hot and some are incrediably laid back.
Otherwise given the potential riders fell or dales, either pure or crosses, will easily be able to carry you as well as the other riders mentioned as would a highland - they were bred to carry a full grown man so will have no bother with 12.5 stone. A cob would be fine with that as well.
 
I do love the hairy breeds (and have one myself) but if a child is going to ride this may not be your best option as they are quite broad. If the child has shortish legs it can be hard for the child to use their legs at all on such a broad pony.
 
I think a new forest would be more suitable. They're mostly calm, laid back and good weight carriers. They make ideal children's ponies. A good forest bred one will be used to traffic and anything you'd encounter out hacking, and they're cheap as chips! You can pick a nice 'pedigree' one up from the NF sales for as little as £100.
They are hardy too :)
Oh and a 13.2hh would carry an adult but not be too wide for a child. As far as natives go, new forests aren't too wide :)


The only problem being that if you ever wanted to show them 99% of judges will place them last and tell you they're 'a bad example of a section c'. :rolleyes:
 
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