Which way next - iideas please

cptrayes said:
Which native breed do you think? I've got a good start on the foghorn voice :)
Click to expand...

Get a Dales - fabulous temperaments - good looking, lively, versatile and fun what more could you want. I have a 15hh 3 (rising 4) yr old I intend to have lots of fun with, jumping and dressage and the best is he has fantastic feet.

IMG_17032_zpscad72d70.jpg
 
Last edited:
Have you considered trying Classical dressage/Academic Art of Riding/Baroque riding? It has gotten quite popular in Sweden, partly maybe because a student to Nuno Oliveira, Bent Branderup, lives in Denmark and has been to Sweden several times, to teach riders this type/style of riding. Pointless info perhaps, but one of the horses that Bent Branderup rides, Filur, is blind.

As for breed suggestions, I was also going to suggest an Icelandic horse, but I've seen that you've already rejected that idea, because you think that they would feel too small. But ditto Micramadam, have you thought about a Fjord horse?

graphics-horses-884530.gif
 
I would get a Connie. Maybe even an overheight one if showing doesnt interest you

The look smart dressed up or dressed down :)
 
Depends on how big you want. Having had a huge hunter type for years, I went back to ponies last year. I set out to get a 15.2hh and ended up with something that, as a 5yo, didn't even stick at 15hh (14.3hh if you were being generous, I'd say). His passport says breeding is unknown, he came from Ireland last year, spent a month with the people I bought him from (just to be schooled a little really), then I bought him. My guess is he is mostly connie, with a bit of cob and/or ID in maybe. He is nothing to look at, quite cute in the right light, but he's incredible to ride. He is just touching 15.1hh now (grown loads this year) and filling out a lot, rides like 16hh, so powerful with lovely paces, and he would jump the moon. Not a plod as he is sharp and can be spooky, but he's safe and loves to work.

So get something like him, he is awesome. Hunts first or last, jumps everything, eats up a XC course, careful enough for SJ, obedient and nice paces for DR, enjoys hacking. Has amazing feet :D
 
Well the Queen is hardly a spring chicken, but seems to get on with Highlands really welll, you could do worse then a 'gypsy' cob, some move fantastically well, they take up your leg and tend to be safe/sensible with a bit of oomph when you want it...
 
agree with the Welsh D.....I haver always wanted a full one!!!


Though I am going to prob get shot down as for some reason on here Appaloosa's have a bad rep but I have three and they are all fab horses, one I have had for 9 years can have as much time off for what ever reason then just chuck saddle and bridle on and off you go on a hack on a loose rein. The two new boys (full brothers) we brought back in may, both 16.3 and tanks, are the same. My brother is disabled, neuro condition, so anything we have has to be good for him and they look after him really well....... we are teaching one of them to jump (the brother has lami at the mo) and my sister is thinking of taking him hunting for the first time in the new year.

good luck:)
 
Having broken and ridden several Clydesdales and shown them be very careful - the well bred ones have a lot more spark than you think, and having a 17.3hh and and an 18.1hh get overexcited at shows and start bronking, it is not very funny... from chatting to some of the real 'Clydesdale people' up here (NE Scotland) apparently the well bred, nicely conformed ones can often be pretty hot. They are also very trippy as youngsters, so prepare to spend a lot of time hanging on for dear life, and for dressage they really aren't ideal, as bred to pull, so very on the forehand, with a LOT of shoulder.

They are fun to ride and show, but a very long way to fall and getting stood on isn't fun. When they do get overexcited it isn't a joke. And youngsters will be youngsters, but at 17.3hh and 18.1hh respectively the last two I broke, and around 700kg each at 4-5 (they got even bigger after I finished with them and they went on to be ridden by other people) when they misbehave or throw their weight around it's no laughing matter!

ETA Pics of the last two I rode.

17.3hh, naugthy as sin, could really bronc! But very well bred and very smart, judges loved him. Super trippy, very on the forehand...

20100731_2321.jpg

20100731_2338.jpg

20100731_2343_edited-1.jpg



18.1hh, much nicer mover in dressage terms, but the Clydesdale lot said her hocks weren't close enough together and she wasn't 'Clydesdale' enough, so she never placed well showing. Was in a class once with the above one where be bronked the whole way round, she was very sweet just lacking a little forwardness, and he was three places higher in the lineup. Couldn't understand it.

DSCF2004_2.jpg

Photoon2010-08-28at1943.jpg
 
Last edited:
cptrayes said:
Awesome, really think I want that filly now!

What brilliant pictures.
Click to expand...

Thanks :) Had a lot of fun with them, but they were hard work! See Paddy's dirty knees? He tripped, fell onto his knees, scrabbled about, got up and bucked two minutes before going into the ring. Nearly scared some lady and her show pony to death.

I loved her, she was a cracker. I heard that she had to be put down last year though due to a tumour, such a shame. Really beautiful girl.
 
You could get one of these :) Sorry about the pics, they are at least 16 years old (please ignore the dome head)!! This was my husband's horse, but I was riding him in these pics.

attachment.php

attachment.php


He was about 16.3 there but he matured to at least 17 hands. He went over height for his breed and was gelded. A lovely horse, very gentle natured but intelligent and feisty - he had been hunting, but not by us.

Another pic off the internet, they are active and versatile for a draft breed, but not common over here I don't think although I do believe another HHO member has one.

images
 
cptrayes said:
Where did you get it?????
Click to expand...

sorry only just catching up. I bought Xas as a 6 month old from his breeder (sort of, he was imported in utero) in Dorset, (Vale Farm) but they have now given up. If you google Curly Horses you should find a breeder or 2 in the UK if you are interested. :)
 
I always thought I would have a Section C in my old age just about the nicest little horse I ever rode was a sec c stallion who went & stood in Germany cause he really moved. I also loved a friends Dales, he was incredibly versatile, steady and lovely to ride.
I instead have lusitano PB for my old age who is 17hh, but completely safe & sane & generally fabulous. Enormous neck & mane make it impossible to fall off.

I would not go for any other natives - sneaky sods, especially connies & connie pbs (one of which I also have)
 
Last edited:
Got to be a Cleveland Bay! Unusual, and will be the most intelligent, kindest and grandest soul you'll ever have the privilege to ride!

Our girl has an absolute heart of gold, plenty of presence though yet totally safe with it. She moves wonderfully and after being a show jumper she is now enjoying dressage and showing in her 'retirement'! They'll turn their hoof (hard and blue according to the breed standard!) to anything you fancy, and once you have that trust they'll follow you to the ends of the earth and try so very hard for you.

In terms of different stuff how about endurance or jump cross? Some dressage to music perhaps, or persuade a show center to run prix caprilli - I think it sounds great fun!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top