The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: Garvie on May 27, 2013, 10:39:07 pm
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hey all
i am thinking about gtting my first pony/horse within the next couple of years depending on income of course, but i was needin some advice on what kind to get i was looking at friesians and Irish draughts but also really like highlands, what are peoples thoughts on these breeds as 1st timers
Righa
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They are very different breeds....which would be most suited would maybe depend on what you are looking to do with it? And what age height and weight range and riding ability will need to ride it, and what roughly the budget is? Do you want to jump, show, hack, dressage, driving?
Have experience of an ID and a Friesian, lots of friends have Hipos.
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i am 5'3ish at my a max weight of 13 stone but now cattle are out and its getting into shearing season that will soon shift, will mostly be a happy hacker with the thought of showing, i have recently got back into riding after a long break( 10years near enough am 21 now) would like to learn to jump but never tried it before. budget would be around 2-2.5K but could go a little higher for the right one, also hacking would be field and quiet country roads.
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Please look seriously at the native British breeds. They are bred for the climate and are very versatile.
A Highland, a Fell or a Dales (please don't think they are slugs - they aren't, especially if you keep the weight off them) or how about a Cleveland Bay? Beautiful and very rare; hardy and multi-purpose. All of these breeds are suitable for riding and driving.
Most of the native breds are hardy, thrifty (keeping weight off is more of an issue than keeping it on), have good feet and don't suffer from many ailments.
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You can also do loads of showing classes with the natives. Cleveland might be a big huge if you are only 5 3 and have the reputation for being a bit stubborn or wilful, but it's more being a pea on a volcano which might make a fell dales or highland a better option, excellent weight carriers esp dales and highland and beautiful with it! I wouldn't say a Friesian would be suitable, size and manners wise for a first horse - but the Dales is pretty much a smaller version looks wise, although Dales also come in Grey and bay (tho less common than the stunning black normal ones).
Given the current poor market for selling horses your budget would probably get you a nice one as well.
If you are in the north of Englanc (for Dales) or in Scotland (for Highland) there will be plenty of people to talk to and ponies to see. Further south there are still clubs and enthusiasts.
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Yes the horse market is depressed but anything steady and quiet will always sells well, as there is always more people who just want a quiet hack that something to compete. As with all things you get what you pay for and horses are never cheap even if they are cheap to buy. I would look at the Pony Club website as the animals on there are usually traceable and always look at the passport and ask for the details of the last owner. The horses market is worse than the second hand car market.
I would recommend a native but Highlands depending on where you are, can be for and good one £2500+ So I would look for something native x or a traveller pony as they like the smaller ones so the bigger ones can be cheaper.
I would not for a first horse go for a Cleveland or Friesian, there are exceptions to any rule but the have basically bred as carriage horses and tend to be more of an expert breed.
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Thank you all for your thoughts am looking more and more at highlands as I like a chunky horse also my self and dad stalk so he could come in super useful. :) plus reading about them they seem to be real stars. I live up near fraserburgh but have family in fife and Alexandria as well so plenty places for viewing ponies
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That sounds like a good plan! If you we're less concerned about showing then sometimes highlands who go a bit over the height limit (eg get to 15 hands ish) can be a good buy. It's sometimes hard to find anything other than unbroken youngsters but ridden ones do come up.
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My partners mum and sister do a lot of showing so it would be quite interesting to do some as well. Ye I will just have to keep my eyes peeled. Thanks
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Have a look at the Highland Stud Book Society, they have a for sale page. also if you visit the local shows over the summer, (New Deer and Turriff not far from you both have big Highland classes ) have a chat with people as often good ponies are sold by word of mouth.
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Cheers will be down at highland on the Friday as well as partners wee sister is showing her Welsh cob so can have a look around as well
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My first choice has to be the Dales, followed by a Fell pony. We ride, drive and show both these breeds. Our smallest is about 12hh (Fell) and the Dales are all around 14hh. I cannot fault the temperament, suitability for adults due to their weight carrying capabilities, and their hardiness. Ours live out all year at 1000ft ft. These ponies can turn their hand to anything.
We also have an Irish Draught, and again, cannot fault her;
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Defiantly going to be a native breed just not sure on which breed. Highland Dale and fell are all high on the list
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What about one of the larger Eriskays? Some of them go up to 13hh and are real weight carriers. They are such a lovely breed with fantastic temperaments. They are more difficult to get hold of because they are so endangered but you would also be helping to keep such a rare breed going. I adore our wee Eriskay gelding.
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I want something around 14-14.2 as my partner does ride sometimes so he would then be able to ride as well as he is quite tall.
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Fell or Highland then. Or Dales. But your local breed would be Highland, so if it were me I'd start there.
However - do go and see the Eriskays at Palacerigg first; they just may change your mind. They are very special, as well as very rare. :love: :horse:
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Ye. The eriskays would be an option for a 1st pony for any children in the future
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I'd go for a Fell every time. I've got a Fell gelding that all my kids ride and I'm going to be teaching my 6'2" friend on him too. Have a look on Facebook at the Fell Pony Group for some absolutely stunning examples of the breed.
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Think I have made my mind up on a highland. They suit what I want to do and they are a Scottish pony :)
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As a Highland breeder I have to support your choice obviously :)
If you're at the Highland Show you can see a wide variety of the breed, tho most of what is there would not be an ideal first pony purchase for basic hacking you may see a look you like and find out what the bloodlines of that type are, and take it from there when you go looking. There's also the Breed Show in Perthshire in July if you're free (info on the HPS website along with current sales lists) where even more ponies will be around to look at.
If you're in Fife with relatives feel free to have a look at my stock and talk about the breed type, needs etc. There are no "established ride for sale" ponies here, mostly breeding stock, stallion, broodmares, foals, youngstock, a couple ready to back or just backed which wouldn't be ideal for you - and my semi retired ridden gelding who would but is 19 and homebred and I'd not even consider selling - so you're pretty safe just looking and asking questions. No sales pitch guaranteed ;) I make a decent cup of tea or coffee, but the rest is as you find it and you might be questioned about other smallholding matters in return for pony info!
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Will have to take you up on that offer and I have holidays in July, don't thing the oh will like idea but in will just not tell him where we are going haha :)
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NEPSHES are in your area (North East Scotland Highland Pony Enthusiasts) and they have in and out of saddle events. A ready made social life,...highlands are just great. Some are plods, some arent. Amazing ponies.
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Will have to have a look at them thanks