Fantasy or possibility? Another horse or pony.

[StaySafe]

In my 20's and 30's I owned 3 horses. The first was a Welsh section D that had no manners and frightened me a bit. The second was a bolshy Highland and the third was a wonderful Highland Mare who was excellent at dressage and M&M showing, bidable, bombproof and very very comfortable to ride. She developed a problem in her joints and the vet and second opinion vet pronounced that she should not be ridden, so she went to a nice home to be a brood mare. Since then I've ridden on and off, competent but a bit nervous, done 3 riding holidays (Iceland, Coast to Coast Scotland and Yorkshire Dales). Over the coming year I hope to continue to improve at my local riding and livery stable and maybe do the Trans Wales ride at some point. In fantasy land I'm thinking of getting another one of my own. I could afford it when I retire and I suppose another lovely Highland like Jig would be high on my list but they are so scarce at the moment.

There are lots of unbroken 3 and 4 year olds, lots of green 5 & 6 year olds and some that are older who generally say not novice ride or that mention faults I could not cope with. If I was to go down this particular route again what sort of horse or pony would you suggest I go for? I'm 5'3" 9st. I would be looking for something maybe 13.1 to 15.1 fairly placid but not a plodder, for hacking and some riding club activities. I've got a lot of confidence back now but need to feel safe.
As this horse would probably be my last I'd prefer a younger horse (Jig was 6 when I got her) As I say this is just musing at the moment but I somehow think it might happen - all advice gratefully received.

I'd get either a highland or a fell from an advert on the breed society websites. I love native ponies

Fells are a marvellous breed, definitely recommend. Huge personalities, but very safe.

Foresters are great too. They come in all varieties to suit all uses & riders.

Welshies are wonderful, but do tend to have an edge, so not ideal as a quiet hack. I personally find connies a bit quirky, and Highlands often a bit pig-stubborn.

How about a nice cob? Not sure where you are in the country, but have a look at Trina's Cobs on Facebook - they seem to have some nice ones in, and test them pretty thoroughly.

I've got a fell and would endorse what Given said. My mare is lovely, fun but safe and loves a cuddle. but I've also known some lovely Highlands. Owner of our previous yard breeds them.

I’m into my 50’s and I had 12 years away from my beloved Arabs and TB’s. I didn’t even sit on a horse I just had the occasional fantasy of going cantering up a long gallop on an autumn morning. Then we moved there’s a world class training centre up the road and I went for a lesson just so that I could ride when I went on holiday. See my user name! I have never regretted going back to horses. There are the usual ups and downs mainly health related life is never straight forward but he never ceases to surprise me, he positively loves being loved and fussed over (something of course he’s never experienced before), and brings me such pleasure.
Go for it.

Would you consider an Arab? My little Arab mare is a joy. Can be a tad spooky when in season but otherwise extremely straightforward. Very easy and polite to handle. Easy ride and nicely balanced between go and whoa. And beautiful to boot ;-)

We have a New Forest pony and he really is the safest most reliable pony I've ever come across. I think they are a super native breed, from the ones I have met they seem to be pretty sane and sensible, inclined to laziness more than anything else, but they are bright and pick things up very quickly.

Ours is 14.2 but a sturdy fellow, takes a lot of leg and has a 16.5" saddle so is perfect size for a small adult. He is ridden by my 14 year old daughter and she does everything with him, they are getting some great results in dressage at the moment, but also compete in all other disciplines too. He will hack out alone and not fussed by any traffic. Once he was " attacked" by 3 huge pigs who had escaped from their pen whilst my daughter was riding. They were running underneath him and nibbling his feet and he literally just stood there and waited for us to chase them away! I guess that's a big positive with having been born and raised in the forest, he's not afraid of anything!

Anyway, just realised this sounds like a for sale ad . I have a friend with a Fell and a Highland and they are both absolutely gorgeous with super temperaments too.

Another fell owner and lover here. We bought him aged 6 and two years in. He's a good sport, safe as houses but has a lovely personality too.

I was a native lover. My Welsh D was a difficult so and so and certainly not a novice ride. My popeye arms are his doing.

I notice no one has mentioned a TB. I gave up the natives and took on a couple of ex race horses (flat racer and one little sprinter).

They are fab, seen and done it. Will turn their hoof to anything. Don't hold a grudge like a Welshy will. Both of mine are very good doers, living out rugless.

Provided you take the time to understand them they give so much in return.

I am now a full TB convert

“I notice no one has mentioned a TB”
I mentioned mine although I admit I didn’t suggest one to the OP.
I agree they are definitely “seen and done it” they do turn their hoof to anything well most things a lot depends on confirmation, build and size; they do come in quite a wide variety of shapes and sizes, a friend takes small ex racehorses and retrains them for polo, mine jumps and goes -surprisingly- well on the flat, I know of one doing western another side saddle. But you need to watch out for the obvious; terrible feet, severe tendon injuries, significant sacro iliac problems, hock problems mouth injuries gastric ulcers etc most horses coming of the track will have something. Secondly those coming straight off the track may not suit a nervous or novice rider as they are used to a completely different ways of doing things when compared to a normal riding horse e.g. their rider is always given a leg up, they go out in strings never alone, they have little understanding of leg aids etc but there are some excellent rehoming schemes out there who’ve taught them the basics and take time to match horse to rider although some I know insist on previous TB experience. . Mine lived out clipped and rugged last year others I’ve had before have done the same it’s a myth that arabs and TBs can’t live out but they do need very well managed good grazing and shelter primarily from the rain which in my case this was trees and woods.

My first highland was built like a tank and his coat was so thick that if it snowed it stayed on his back without melting. He was a bit too cheeky for me though and got away with a lot. I'm not sure I would find a Highland as good as my second easily as those that are experienced and safe are very expensive and seem to be snapped up in 5 minutes. I think it would probably be a highland (if I can find one) a fell or some sort of hairy cob. At the moment I prefer a smaller mount and an armchair ride so a TB wouldn't be the obvious choice.
For now I'll carry on with the lessons, go on a couple of trail riding holidays and see how things go. Very much wish I could be up to a horse safari with Wait a While.... Thank you for all the views and info, much appreciated.

Keep 1/2 an eye out and maybe the right horse will come along one day. I fully understand you're wish for an "armchair ride" but do try not exclude anything just on paper. As you seem to be in no hurry you would probably be wise to start saving as genuine reliable "armchair rides" are very desirable and don't come cheaply.

My best and safest horse was an Appaloosa fantastic temperament trusted him with my life , which he did save a couple of times due to my disability.

I wouldn’t dismiss any horse breed. If you stick to age range and a rough build/height you like then they are all different just like humans are and I’ve always gone on temperament and a kind eye which has always paid off. My ex racer is a wonderful, safe soul who has given me much joy but we have been plagued by medical issues (although I’ve been extra unlucky compared to other friends who have ex racers). I’ve known a few foresters and connies be quirky too.

My preference now would be for something very young that hasn’t had the chance to be ruined yet or a giant price tag. As long as you get the right temperament then age is fairly immaterial as long as you are willing to pay for and accept help regularly from professionals (in the first few years especially), have support from other people to ride with etc, have appropriate facilities and are willing to put the time into a youngster. Some of my easiest horses have been 4 year olds as they haven’t learnt evasion tactics yet! If you don’t have time to ride most days then I’d look for something older that won’t mind being picked up and put down as and when.

If you are confident to handle on the ground, I wouldn't dismiss a young Highland. Older Highlands that have been there, done that are rare and go for a lot of money as I discovered when I was looking eight years ago. My instructor encouraged me to go to a breeder and talk to her honestly about my experience and my riding nerves. She sold me a lovely gelding, who is as sweat as treacle and in the 18 months I handled him on the ground until he was old enough to be backed we got to know each other really, really well! I think Highlands are easily ruined when people let them away with too much, but be firm when they are babies and they will turn out to be anything you want. It has taken time but my boy has turned into a lovely, forward going pony with wonderful manners. So much so, that I am trying to overcome the last hurdle with my nerves and go to our very first show on Sunday! There are lots of good breeders out there, if you are set on a Highland, it is worth a try.

I would also recommend a fell. Mine was absolutely bombproof, especially in traffic, but also had a really strong personality. I’d go for another fell if I could.

I'll be going back to The Yorkshire Dales for another riding holiday with the Dales/Fell types next year. I think Highlands are often a bit too bright for their own good and cheeky with it, which is one of the reasons they are quite adorable in principle but a bit alarming when you own one and it starts to go wrong. The main excitement at my present riding school is that Wallace the Dressage Mule has won his first affiliated competition there, would love to meet him!