Native ponies

Apple24

Apple24

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Sep 20, 2015
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So in the far future me and mum have decided that we want to do some in hand native pony showing, we are wanting to reduce our numbers as the boys meet there natural end. We would like eventually to have just one horse about 14hh-14.2hh preferably a native who can be a good allrounder and a family horse. I just want opinions on breeds the good and bad we were looking at highlands and dales due to be vulnerable. But as our current two are a Welsh cross and a Connemara cross we wouldn't rule out these breeds. Any help appreciated
 
I have Highlands Fells and Welsh cobs in my large breeds because I am a larger rider I am sticking with Highlands now.... But I find my Fells have fabulous temperaments and turn there heel to any job... hardy. strong brilliant all rounders :) if you want to do a lot of jumping then I would go with connemara or welsh cobs both are cheaper as a rule that the other breeds x
 
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Thank you I'm not really a jumper I am 5ft 3 and my mum 5ft but mum is slightly heavier and always worries about being too heavy. I do like fells but thought dales were slightly bigger
 
If your mum has any worries about her weight go for a Highland. They can carry 16 stone of dead weight stag so people don't bother them much! As someone on here said to me about a 16 stone friend, "My Highland boy would think she was a little bird perching on his back."
 
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Yeah that's my thought I do really like the look of them. But don't know any to know what there like for character and health
 
Apple24 said:
Yeah that's my thought I do really like the look of them. But don't know any to know what there like for character and health
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The Highlands are extremely hardy fabulous jumpers and hacking great for Endurance... really good weight carriers..Nice natured as a rule can be a bit bolshy on the ground so you have to be strict with them.... Fun ponies.... I adore my Highland mare she is such a sweetheart. Good at showing.... fantastic for all the family.

Plus you get to wear the colourful tartans showing a Highland :)
 
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Not a native of this country I know but you could also consider a Haffy? Good weight carriers, hardy as they come and fab all rounders, like the Highlands they have very willing temperaments but can also be a bit bolshy and you do need to be strict but once on side my lord they are a lot of fun and will have a go at anything.
I would love a Highland or a Dales or a Fell too.
 
Dales are currently on the critical list which is a real shame. I have a reg dales and reg fell and both have real personalities:) I know a fab dales breeder who sells youngsters however they run as herds so are not a project for the faint hearted, however with a bit of work are really nice ponies. Both our fell and dales are forward and all round ponies. Both mine are cheap to keep and hardy ponies:) x
 
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Highlands are fab ponies but you do have to choose carefully. Like other natives they are clever and can be very opinionated, moreso mares ime. I never really understood what people meant by this until I experienced it for myself; Ive been unlucky enough to be onboard 2 highlands and be spectacularly bronced off - both were 99% time described as quiet, easy ponies, a bit on the lazy side, suitable for a novice rider... but under that exterior can lie a scheming , clever little brain that waits until you are relaxed and distracted admiring the view and then, boom, head between knees, ditch the rider and head for home ;) Just saying haha, as I say, in 30 years of riding it’s happened to me twice, both times on different highlands! I also had the most darling highland gelding who wouldnt have known how to buck or be nasty no matter what was done to him but he was for want of a better word, a bit of a plod. At the other end of the scale, Highlands can also be sharp! People don’t realise that. The nice thing about Highlands is that with them having such a small gene pool you can generally find out what the temperament is of any given line. I have an absolutely delightful youngster just now who came straight off the islands, I knew the temperament of the line was second to none :)
 
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Personally if I were to get another native it would be a dales, I just think it will be a real shame it we lose the beautiful dales breed:( x
 
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