Oh, it's grey. So I'd be compromising on both breed and color.
But she's not too far away, maybe 1.5 hours, and she's a good age, 12, and they say she's a reliable trail horse. I'm not going to believe that at all until I prove it: )
The only thing I don't like about her conformation is she looks like she has a tendency toward a sway back - with it both being very long and sagging behind the withers. I don't know, what do you think?
She has almost zero suspension in her trot - a very bumpy ride, but I'm not shopping for gaits.
I'm going out to see her Thursday.
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23 comments:
I support branching out into other breeds. This is something I've been discussing with my horse trainer a bit lately. I got into Arabians because my only contact with horses was a neighbor who was an Arabian breeder, and everyone she introduced me to was an Arabian breeder or someone who shows Arabs. I've always been very pro-Arabian, but I didn't have much experience with other breeds to compare. When we bought Rock, our QH or Paint or whatever he is, I was astounded by his lack of self-preservation instinct. He felt braver and more mature at the age of 6 than all of my Arabs, the oldest now being 27. There's a trade off. He's not as responsive as the Arabs, but with all of my aches and pains, I don't need to go fast and take tight corners anymore. Not having to ride out spooks and jigging has been such a treat. He's not as beautiful as the Arabs, but he is seriously cute and irresistible in his own goofy way.
Anyway, my horse trainer and I have been talking about this for a while now. He has gently suggested to me that I'm trying to get him to get my Arabs to behave more the Quarter Horses, and that just goes against their instincts. He knew an Arabian horse trainer who said that Arabs finally start settling down around the age of 13 or 14. That's pretty much halfway through their life span. Every time he rides out on G, I worry about his safety, because she's been a real stinker. You'd think she has never been ridden before with some of the stunts she pulls. He actually rode her off the trails to home the other day so that he could work with her in the round pen, because she was so lacking in focus when out of her comfort zone, and he needed to teach her neck-reining. I, personally, am exhausted by the amount of time myself and several other people have put in on trying to "desensitize" her to all the things that frighten her. I'm just not willing to keep starting over from square one every new riding season. You can't put her "out to pasture" while the weather is bad, and pick up where you left off. You have to start her under saddle again and again and again. I'm getting too old for that.
So, that's where I stand right now on branching out toward other breeds. I'm still trying to sell G. I can't ride Lostine much anymore. She's really showing her age and doesn't have much coordination left. I think if I ever have room for another horse, I would shop around for something short and stocky with some age on it and lots of trail riding experience, because enjoying the scenery, exploring surroundings on horseback, and communing with nature are my priorities right now.
If I could have one breed of horse...I'd get a Fjord. I like stocky and short though...lol! Probably because I am LOL! I know this is frustrating for you and I hope you find what you are looking for. Thank you for letting us in on your journey.
And Bombay? He's my favorite: )
I think Gabrielle and my Mara are the same horse. A neverending challenge unless her job is actually a halter horse (Garbrielle's) in which case she's right on track, acting scared of everything.
I just found out a dear friend of mine is in Arizona for the Winter with her horse and I'm like, "What...one of THOSE people that NM talks about!?!" But honesty she's just trail riding her horse all day long, and encountering nothing but friendly Arizona hikers. Some rain, and then some spectacular scenery.
Tina, they are common here. And admittedly gorgeous and exotic. Way more so than a Tinker. I just know in my heart I don't have the talent to handle a Fjord, Tinker or Haflinger. They're like the cats in the dog world of horses. I mean, they know themselves, their strength and they don't have to submit if they don't wish. Lord help me I need a breed that doesn't know its strength. Ironically they are the breeds that I'm not discriminated against due to my weight....
True, Haflingers do understand their strength. Which is good and bad. After having had a spookazoid TWH gelding for three years, having a horse with balls (though a mare), is soooooo wonderful. And while she knows she's strong, we ride in a side pull or a D ring snaffle. In the beginning before she knew me, leading thru grass could be quite ugly, she knew she could drag me and did several times lol. Doesn't happen often any longer, we both know she still could though.
Oh, a sway can be a big deal (to me anyway), with saddle bridging. A friend rides a saddlebred with a ghastly sway. I often wonder why she subjects the poor boy to the saddle. It bridges horribly, and she wonders why he's all jiggy. Every step must be Ow, Ow, Ow.
She definitely looks like an Arabian, minus the spooking! Her back doesn't look too long, it's just long compared to an Arabian back.Love the grey, it's my husband's favorite color horse too. :)
I never hear that about Haflingers before, the only ones I've met have been like chunky fluffy teddy bears. Have you seen the Wyvern Oaks blog? Love this post:
http://pieceofheaven1951.blogspot.com/2015/10/2-year-anniversary-of-craziest-horse.html
Still think you might need to take a trip to Denmark..:)
Camryn, can you please explain to me how their knowing their strength is a good thing? You say "with balls" - how has it helped you? I've only seen it go badly - at a liberty clinic by my favorite trainer (Peter Pfister) - he had to put a sharp leather cavesson on a Haflinger who 3 times in a row dragged him off his feet to avoid cooperative in-hand work. I thought it was a seratta, but no, just a stiff leather cavesson, but paired with leather gloves, he finally got the Haflinger's attention. I wondered if a woman or weaker man could have managed it.
2punkdogs, yes I've seen that intro to Haflingers she wrote about. I love an athletic Haflinger! Denmark will become closer if the two or three horses I want to see next turn out wrong. Ugh, Denmark! (I want to see the Welsh, and 2 Arabs at Haegerhof (you can google them - Haegerhof Araber.)
I didn't mention Bombay, because I'm up in the air with him on a lot of things. He's under training again too. Yes, the snowbirds are here. I know because we've already nearly been hit by drivers who take up two lanes and don't stop at red lights, because I'm having to stand in line everywhere, because I can't find an available shopping cart at the market, and there are strangers standing in my back yard watching me when I'm outside doing chores.
Ponies are amazing!! I'm a huge advocate of ponies and while consistent, patient reminders that they're not top dog are important I've never had to do anything similar to what you described with the haflinger and she's part haflinger. I have a feeling that the clinician that you described maybe isn't as used to ponies and they are intelligent enough to know how to play the person that's working with them but if you show them some respect they will be your biggest fan.
Having gone from an Arab to a Welsh Cob, I can say they are great ponies. No they are not so quick twitch like an Arab, but they are really expressive. Some can have really great movement and some can develop it.
Having looked at a lot of Cob pictures there are ones that have a horrible dip in their back which can effect how they perform.
I own a Mare and a Stallion who are amazing, super smart and handle new situations really well. They adjust to different riders so there is hope this girl will change for you. I still have two Arabs too to give me my fix.
So this girl is worth seeing. Personally I like greys and seeing a grey Cob is unusual. Can't wait to hear how she is.
She's lovely, but certainly doesn't look like the sec d's I'm used to...the grey color is odd too for a true d. Wondering if she's a cross or a sec A cross, much sportier and lighter in build than mine! (That's not a criticism, by the way, I mean it when I say she looks like a very nice pony, and certainly more the type I think you'd like for endurance) Agree with others too, her back is longer than the Arabians you're used to but from the pictures not super long! Good luck with her, she's very pretty :)
Okay, fingers are crossed. She's cute.
The grey is a lovely mare and I'm fairly positive she's a smooth ride but she's most certainly not a Welsh Section D. Probably a partbred, which isn't a bad thing. Welsh Cobs do not come as greys very often. As common as that color is in the section As or Bs it is very rare in the Ds. I don't think I've ever seen one live.
Lytha, if you do not feel comfotable to handle an Irish Cob/Gypsy Vanner, Haflinger or Fjord you most certaily want to stay away from a Welsh Cob! I adore mine! He's a wonderful horse but he is difficult in his own Welsh Cob way. It's difficut to explain. They start out like the other drafty pony breeds until they turn Welsh. A friend calls them arabians on steroids. They have a bit of crazy bred into them (think in-hand show horse).
Actually, no suspension at the trot means a *smoother* ride! :) Gracie's trot looks a lot like this girl's and Gracie's is actually easier to sit than post. Coming from the TB world, I don't see a sway back: I just see a high wither. Which means you don't need a crupper going down hills! ;)
Lovely mare. I have my fingers and toes crossed! I keep seeing horses for sale on the endurance FB pages and thinking of you. Of course they are all located in this country, which isn't helpful. :/
To me this Welsh looks crossed with an Arab because of its neck, back and barrel. It's withers are pronounced, and the drop in its back could make saddle fit difficult. But definitely check it out.
The video was maddeningly slow to buffer for me, but what I saw in the gaits looked ok. I think if the horse were properly engaged on the bit, the trot would improve. It wasn't really hollow, but he wasn't really moving over his back. The canter had a nice jump to it. Why is the horse for sale?
I totally think this weight thing is screwed up big time! I am a big girl and I ride a very small QH. He's got a nice short back though and has never had a problem. That bothers me to no end!!!
Lol, hard to explain how Haflingers knowing their strength is a good thing. I've always just felt that they don't feel the need to overreact because they have no need too. It's not only their physical strength, they also have very strong minds. A bad thing if you don't have their trust or they feel you don't have their best interest at heart. Most likely what happened at that clinic. Some who aren't as smart as a Haflinger may label it as stubbornness, they are uber intelligent. Which they also know. An example of this that come to mind, we were on a trail ride, came to a creek with steep, slippery banks. Camryn watched the others, but also checked out the area as we waited our turn. As I asked her to move forward, she instead asked to vear off to the right. I was on the verge of correcting her when I realized she'd spotted a deer trail. The trail took us just six feet further and entered the creek with no bank!
I do understand the more sport horse type may have a bit more mmmmmm, edge to them. While the drafty type are much less so.
I was worried that you'd be cross with me when I asked about other breeds. Your post make me smile, I get the impression that you will look at other breeds. . . as long as they look (and behave) like an Arabian. I'd probably feel the same way if I was in your shoes.
That is a cute little horse. What is the most common Arabian cross around where you live?
Good luck!
Is this the page - http://www.haegerhof.de/verkauf-pferde-vareiten-en.html? I see they have alpacas too, you can bring home a friend for Bellis. :).
I like Nuzzling Muzzles comment, makes a lot of sense.
How big is the Welsh pony? She looks like a dainty little thing, but maybe not. It will be interesting hear what you think about her.
KB, I don't know why she is for sale. I'll ask.
Camryn, Sounds like Haflingers are very much like my donkey.
Kay, there aren't really Arab crosses for sale here. I've only seen a couple, I think one was a German Riding Pony/Arab. I saw a Quarab once. Yes, that's the site, and that page has the light grey horse I'm interested in. The Welsh is 15 hands I think.
I found another ad for this horse on ebay and there was no mention of "Welsh" or any other breed, just "Cute Sportpony". I'm very curious why they call her a Welsh sometimes. I asked how often she is ridden on trails and the answer was "Every day, she's perfect for you." That sounds like a lie to me - who rides a sale horse 7 days a week? Oh, and she's at a dealer, which can be good, or bad.
She's cute!! Her back actually reminds me of Chrome's... I was worried he looked a little sway backed but it hasn't been a problem. I think it's partly because of being out of shape and he doesn't know how to carry himself yet. It looks like this mare is the same way looking at her riding pictures. She is definitely pretty!
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