Went to a dealers on Saturday!

[Wobblydeb]

LOL..... that was an experience

With the aim of not "overhorsing myself" I went to a dealers that specialises in ponies I knew beforehand that she had a couple of 14.2hh geldings, and it wasn't too far away, so I decided a trip out was a good idea.

Unfortunately all of them were 4/5 year olds, but I decided to have a look at the eldest - a 5 year old grey connemara probably pushing 15hh.

The YO rode him first, and he had a nice stride and looked happy and balanced. I don't jump, but she popped him over a jump and it was nice to see that he remained sensible (although obviously had a MASSIVE jump inside him waiting for the right person to come along! ).

So I said yep, I'd like to ride him, because he was along the lines of what I am looking for......

Well! ...lol... That was a learning point!

He was forward going, which doesn't worry me, although I felt like we were fair whizzing along! .....it was more that I couldn't put him where I wanted! .... or slow him down without a pull on the mouth I had him cantering at one point, and couldn't keep him out on the track and thought we were going to go over the jump! (he was game, if I wanted to!) ......and to finish me off, when I went to dismount he kept moving off, so I nearly fell off.

I couldn't make my mind up whether I am actually an appalling rider, or he was simply not very schooled. So when I had my lesson the next day I asked to work on inside leg to outside hand It worked, so I can only conclude that 5 yr olds are too young for me ..... lol

It's a good learning process though. I think I'm going to need a strict 8 yr old age limit, and preferably horses with some dressage experience.

[Little Dolphins]

Well done for wearing your 'sensible head' that day. Definitely try to hold out for what you need. Try not to fall in love with a baby horse Looking forward to hearing about your next 'find'

[Peanut]

Connemaras love to jump, often for fun, so steer clear of them if you're not a jumper!

It's good to look around like you're doing, the more you look at the better idea you will have of what you really want.

Let us know what you try next.

[pebbles82]

do you mind if i ask what dealers it was im looking for a pony maximum 13.2 but its hard to find a dealer who specialises in ponies and you are not to far from me

[Trewsers]

Yep, connies love to jump - after a year and a half I finally got it with storm, the reason why she was so prickly about schooling is that she was BORED and wanted to jump! OH happily obliges her addiction - I have popped over a few - but with him she really excells!!! Proper little jumping pone!! he he. She is good to hack tho - so thats ok. Its good to experience lots of potentials tho - you'll look back when you've found "the one"......

[Wobblydeb]

Originally Posted by pebbles82

do you mind if i ask what dealers it was im looking for a pony maximum 13.2 but its hard to find a dealer who specialises in ponies and you are not to far from me

No problem - it was Katherine Leak. She has a website at http://www.katherineleak.co.uk/ponies.html

[Gimp]

looks a really nice professional yard.

Good luck in your search! The right one is out there somewhere!!

[Skib]

Dont let them put you off connemaras, Wobbly deb.
My favourite RS hack is a connemara cross mare, about 15 hands. The story is that she was a show jumper but injured a leg so was sold off, down-graded to a riding school hack.
She is a highly intelligent, very responsive horse who can go like the wind. No nagging with the leg needed. Lively but v. few spooks. She's never left the track to try and jump anything, but she remembers enough of her original up-market schooling to give to the bit, do leg yields, back up etc.

She wasnt as young as the one you tried, about seven or eight when she arrived, I think. But it shows a Connemara can live happily without jumps.

[NoviceNic]

I agree you need to get out there and try all sorts to work out what you want. Good for you having a go.

[cazrider]

Sounds like an interesting day Wobblydeb. Look forward toi hearing about the next one. He/she is out there somewhere.