Welsh Section A Pony

[Mermaid2]

We are looking at buying a lovely little welsh section a pony for our 10 year old daughter. The pony in question is 17 years old but still very active and enjoys jumping and pony club etc. Not put off by age as daughter needs sensible confidence giver.

Would appreciate any information about the breed and how hardy they are. This one has been mollicoddled over the past few years. Would prefer her to live out etc, she would be with others. Any advice greatly received.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

I have one, she is 16. She lived out all winter last year without a rug except when it snowed. She is never ill, (touch wood) and all she ate all winter was grass. All 3 slimmed down a bit, but nothing scary, just a little, and I think this helps when the spring grass comes in as it gives them somewhere to store the fat! She did have hay when it snowed, but thats all. She doesnt wear shoes, really has never needed them. In general, they are a flouncy breed, good at pointy toes and flowing manes and look really nice under saddle. Mine is a bit tempramental nowadays, as she has had a hard life, but in her day she was a great lead rein first ridden pony. A's can be a bit sharp, but in general a good first pony. They are generally white, which means a lot of bathing if you want them to sparkle, but its worth it.

[MitchyInge]

Might your daughter outgrow her quite soon though? Not sure if that is something to consider or not!

[Butkin]

DD has been on Section As since she was 2 and yes they are a wonderfully hardy breed. Ours don't live out all year round as they are pampered show ponies but they are in the field all the time from March to November and still go out during daylight hours the rest of the time.

They live on virtually nothing - in fact you really have to restrict their grazing in the Spring and early Summer. We have ours on "starvation" paddocks using electric tape and they still look in show condition.

DDs first one was an old schoolmistress and she is still alive now (mid 20s). DD currently has a 10yo roan that was a top class lead rein in his youth (won the Lobster Pot final) and now does a bit of First Ridden, hunting, pony club etc - he is going to camp next week.

We've just sold (fingers crossed) her 5yo palomino to some people in Guernsey and he is off next week. We broke him in ourselves as a 3yo and she won loads of classes on him last year.

Sadly she has now nearly outgrown him though (she is 7 now) and we've bought her a Section B schoolmaster (10) to do First Riddens on as the two LRs are not experienced enough to canter in their shows, reliably, although he hacks out really well.

Sounds as if your pony turns his hoof to anything which is typical of the breed. Two things I'd say though a) presumably he is costing you much less than a thousand pounds - even top younger ones are not making much these days and b) won't you outgrow him soon? Unless he is a full up 12 hander surely he may be too small for a 10yo wanting to go jumping etc?

[Mermaid2]

Thanks for your replies. Butkin, my daughter is quite petite for a ten year old so not too concerned about her outgrowing pony. Really excited about it now, DD is able to ride her as often as she wants for next two weeks then we go away and bring her over after that.

Its been a pleasure to see them together, already doing a few little jumps and circuits. V encouraging. The pony moves beautifully and knows what she's doing which is a great condfidence boost for DD who has a massive grin when she's riding her. Will let you know how we get on.

[Mermaid2]

Update: Well we now have Tikki and she is a delight! So glad we went ahead and bought her. A little pony that knows what she's doing and responds v quickly. Being ridden nearly every day and DD has lunged her too.

Out in the field with other mares who all seem to have accepted her which is great. V happy:)

[Eleison]

I clicked on this thinking that the thread title meant that the Welsh had sectioned a pony under the Mental Health Act.

This is a much nicer story. Glad the pony has worked out well for you.

[Mermaid2]

I can see how you could be confuded eleison, that made me chuckle

[Eve]

we have one.. shes a real stroppy madam!!

her and I hate each other..

..she's supposed to be on restricted grazing but goes through electric fences , takes her muzzle of.. its a bit of a battle.

Glad yours is settling in.

[Saggyoldclothcatpuss]

Eleison, you could be onto something! They nearly had to call the men in White coats for me last time we went to a show! Bloody little git (who I worship) knows how to slip her bridle/headcollar! Had just finished her legs at about six am, turned round and she had legged it! See the fat bird run, as she chased the small pony round the campsite, pony jumping guy ropes and small hedges, whilst cursing very quietly under her breath so as not to wake the campers! I cornered her in the manège, at which point she was covered in brown claggy surface and needed to be bathed again! We now have extra straps on her headcollar to keep it on!