looking for a pony for to keep for life

[booksinbed]

After recently choosing the wrong pony for me and resultant loss confidence as evidenced by bonkers posts...!!! followed by lots of support from lovely folk on this forum, i have started loaning a pony again and love it and realise what type of pony i need.

.Am now putting out feelers to start the process of looking to buy and thought i wd check on here.
I need to not rush as i did before and what i wd really like is -

pony up to 14 2 hh.
pref male but most important a non" distant" nature .but a loving nature that attactches to me and actually likes fuss and cuddles.I realise that its not just the riding its the relationshio that is equally important to me as you spend so much time on the ground and i just want that relationship as its important to me and that is what ive learnt so i have to listen to this.Feel a bit soft but hay ho.!!While im on the subjet i adore greys and adore big eyes,its sounds silly but im trying to be honest with myself to try and get my match.
A confidence giver - that has brakes ,does not nap or nip ,good to load,and enjoys hacking out.
I am 8 half stone five foot one and a half so i wonder if there are any mothers dream ponys that are very safe that any teen has ougrown.i think that 13 3 to 14 2 hh wd be good range.
Im not a very experinced rider but am quite confident - did a cx course at weekend on my loan just avoded jumps as my loan does not jump.
i wd really offer a loving and consistant home and would be having lessons,hacking out ,cx and my dream is to drag hunt.i wd def do the hunt training sessions here which are endurance type rides in big groups for stamina building /fitness.Charity rides also.
Nice strides - pref slow trot to fast and heavier set ponies such as m and m or cob type.love long manes .

If anyone can recomened a fantastic lovable pony then please post.thanks .I may wish to loan with view to buy as i owe it to pony to get this right.im north west but willing to travel for right pony.

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Hello, we have a 12.3 newforest mare, who has carried up to 12stone 13 stone in fleabitten grey, who is under used, understimulated and underappreciated! She is 12years old, excellent brakes, a bit if a dumb blonde! Hacks alone or in company, never been to a show, loves to be in front, has a nice jump and nice dressage paces. We think she would hunt well. She can be cheeky, but only has the same 3 naps on predictable repeat. If you ride her often she gives up! She has taught my daughter a great deal and built her confidence no end. She would happily live alone, currently in a mixed herd. A beautiful girl, look very spanish. We are in North Essex near A12. pic1 pic 2

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

She ticks quite a lot of your boxes!

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Bugger, just seen you are in NW!

[booksinbed]

Yes she does.Is she affectionate and does she tolerate or enjoy fuss??.Is she good on the ground.What do you mean by cheeky please??Is her trot slow is h or fast and sort of spikey cant think of anther word.!! She is a stunner.ps what does she do when she napds .does she need a expeienced rider or a novice - ie me

[booksinbed]

She looks adorable but i wonder if 12 3 too small - i ride 13 3 to 14 2.,,,

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

Well im 5'3 the fatty who started with her, DD is 5', she does take your leg up. She has always been ridden by adults. I'd say she is affectionate and would love 1 on 1 attention, she never gets it here. If you tie her up to do stuff she just nods off. For cheeky, I'd say she just has lots of character, not a biter or kicker, just a fiddler with you!
She can trot at walking speed or extend out to a beautiful dressage extension. Not bouncy. Long and low if ask properly. Canters slower than she trots, Very bendy, got lots of dressage in there. Naps are 1/ When you first ask for upwards transitions she will try to turn in, (inside hand up, outside leg on) 2/ She will pop into a whizzy trot if you dont half hault her, 3/ if all else fsils, park and pretend to pee!
TBH, 1 good lesson and you'd have them cracked forever! Shes a real marmite pony, If you sit on her and you're right, you'll know it.
She has been ridden by exp and novice, as I said, if you fit you fit. Good hands are more important than experience. She was broken by a novice, and I put DD12 on her as a fairly quivering wuss, and they have done wonders for each other. Molly has gived her the conficence to move on and break in her babies.
She came here as a yearling from the forest and has been here ever since.

[Booboostoo]

Do you have an instructor? Finding the right pony is always difficult but having someone knowledgeable with you can be a great help. Most instructors will go with clients on viewings.

Also you may want to clarify your requirements a bit. Drag hunting is one of the most demanding types of hunting and it is unlikely that you will find a family friend type pony who also drag hunts. Also when you say 'nice strides' people may read this to mean 'nice paces' which refers to a pony suitable for dressage, something which doesn't seem to be part of your requirements.

Have you ever jumped cross country? If not it might be best to get some lessons at your local RS (start with SJ as you need to be confident over SJs before you go anywhere near solid fences).

From what you say you want you need a family friend type of first pony, safe hack in traffic and open spaces, alone and in company, good to handle in all respects, suitable for a novice adult to have fun hacking and introduce her to small competitions, e.g. walk/trot tests and clear round SJ. It sounds like you'd be better off with a kick along type, in which case you do trade safety and a very steady temperament, for a bit of speed and ooomph!

[booksinbed]

I know whatyou mean re marmite pony.my Dd has one others did not want and its a total bond.Wish you were nearer!!!

[CatPussRoastingOnAnOpenFire]

We're not desperate to be rid, If you're ever passing....

[mrslaughan]

Check out safecobs on facebook. First my disclaimer - i don't work for her, know her, or bought a horse from her, but when i finally get back to the point where i can afford to buy a horse, she will be one of my first stops.
Its fun viewing anyway - i am addicted (and am not the only one) -lia (i think that is her name) posts a video everyday of the work she is doing with the horses in "safecobs bootcamp" - i have learnt alot, but also seeing her work through with the horses gives you alot of faith in a horse you might purchase from her.
Someone in the tack room has bought a horse from her.

[Banterpanther]

Safe cobs and Hacking Horses also attracted my attention and I will definitely call Lia when I am looking to buy

[booksinbed]

bump ...x

[JRsandCoffee]

Have you considered a Dales? I may be biased as I loved mine to pieces but am not alone in thinking they are a great pony for an adult. The DPS sales list is worth a look and sometimes things get posted on the Dalesfans website. Sorry of this is an avenue already explored! Or a section C or as someone else suggested a New Forest (sounded nice!)

[Booboostoo]

Have you seen this post on HHO?
www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=580208

I don't know the poster or the pony so can't vouch for either but it sounds like a good fit for what you want.

[booksinbed]

Hi Boo boo - that pony sounds fab - i cant get on to the forum !!!aaahh.Will try tomorrow.

[50BalesOfHay]

Definitely look for a nice native pony, they're hardy and low maintenance, generally have kind temperaments and are brilliant fun (see my little mare on my profile page, she's the sort of thing you need)

[booksinbed]

Hi Bales - if you have a mo please take a peek at star by name star by nature fell male on preloved ....they are willig to loan to me ist ...

[50BalesOfHay]

Hi books, can't find the ad, can you link?

[booksinbed]

Hi bales.cant link sorry....go to pre loved .co.type in pony star by name.go down to the 9 th ad .its a pony at preston .thanks..!!!

[booksinbed]

koram- you are so rite !!! i get carried away with self.you wd think id learn patience by now.ive seen a 13 .2 riding school pony - see above message if you fancy a peek..thanks for honestly im a lkittle bonkers at times.

[booksinbed]

ps im five foot one so ?? good size...

[50BalesOfHay]

OK, seen her. She looks very nice, and you're definitely on the right lines. Two questions though:

1. what does she do if another horse does come right up behind? does she kick? If so, how will you manage that when riding out with others (when stuff can happen despite our best intentions) If she just pulls faces then that's ok, but best to find out and think through
   
2. why is she being ridden in a wilkie by an adult? Native/cobs can be strong so I'd understand if a child riding, but if she's so bomb proof and doesn't take off she surely shouldn't need a bit which is effectively a gag
   
   I think she's definitely worth a look though, the sellers sound genuine, you can take plenty of time getting to know her before you decide and she sounds like what korma was recommending (and which I'd agree with)

[50BalesOfHay]

Size is fine, I'm 5'11, and mine is 14hh, I don't look or feel too big as she's wide and takes up my leg.