This is the last part in our series of articles looking at the best horse breeds for beginner riders. So far we’ve checked out great horses for the larger/taller and the medium weight and height beginner rider.
Now let’s discover the best breeds for smaller adults and children. Like those we’ve already seen, these have been chosen for their quiet temperament and ability to excel in many different disciplines. 8. Highland Pony This beautiful pony usually ranges in height between 13 and 14.2 hh, but can be a little taller or shorter. He comes from the highlands and islands of Scotland, and is a hardy animal with a quiet, sensible disposition. This, plus his excellence in dressage, jumping, eventing and driving, makes him an ideal family pony. The Highland is very athletic and famous for his calm level-headedness. He is capable of carrying a child or a small adult. Crossed with Thoroughbreds, he produces a great warmblood type. Highland Pony manes and tails are long and thick, and their lower legs carry some feather. The usual colors are grey and various shades of dun, although black, bay, and chestnut can also be found. A white star is acceptable in purebreds, but white markings are not considered correct. Resources for Highland Ponies: Highland Pony Society in Scotland http://www.highlandponysociety.com/ Scottish Highland Pony Association of North America http://www.highland-pony.org/ponies.htm Images of the Highland Pony http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=highland+pony&qpvt=highland+pony&FORM=IGRE Highland Ponies for Sale (U.S.) http://www.highland-pony.org/ads.htm Highland Ponies for Sale (U.K.) http://www.sellyourpets.co.uk/equestrian/horses_+_ponies/highland_pony/highland_pony_for_sale 9. Dales Pony This pony is described by the Dales Pony Society of America as ‘the great all-rounder’ and ‘a strong, active pony, full of quality and spirit, yet gentle and kind.’ He is very calm and courageous, with great intelligence. Able to easily carry heavy adults, Dales Ponies are sweet enough to carry children. They have a quiet temperament and are usually great in traffic, since they do not panic in awkward situations, and are extremely sure-footed. The versatile Dales Pony makes a good jumper, dressage performer, eventer and endurance partner. He has tremendous stamina and staying power. Originally from the Dales area of England, near the Scottish border, this hardy breed has silky feathers on his legs, and a long mane and tail. Dales Ponies stand between 14 – 14.2hh and their normal colors are black or brown, with some greys and bays and the occasional roan. A star or snip on the face is acceptable, and white markings only on the hind legs, reaching up to the fetlocks. Resources for the Dales Pony: The Dales Pony Society (U.K.) http://www.dalespony.org/ The Dales Pony Society of America http://www.dalesponies.com/ Dales Ponies for Sale http://www.dalesponies.com/DPSA/Sales_List.html Images of Dales Ponies: http://www.dalesponies.com/DPSA/Versatility.html 10. Dartmoor Pony This little guy stands at 12.2 hh and his excellent temperament makes him an ideal children’s first pony. He is calm and friendly, and perfect for jumping, driving and showing. He lives a long time and can also be ridden by adults. Although still considered a rare breed, Dartmoors are becoming more popular in America now due to their wonderful disposition and quiet dependability. True Dartmoors are only bay, brown, black, grey, chestnut or roan, with no piebalds and skewbalds (paints), and no excessive white markings. He has a full, flowing mane and tail and is a very attractive riding pony of sturdy build, yet shows quality. Resources for the Dartmoor Pony: Dartmoor Pony Society (U.K.) http://www.dartmoorponysociety.com/ Dartmoor Pony Registry of America http://www.dartmoorpony.com/index.php/why-choose-a-dartmoor/ Dartmoor Ponies for Sale (U.S.) http://www.equinenow.com/dartmoorpony.htm Dartmoor Ponies for Sale (U.K.) http://www.freeads.co.uk/uk/buy__sell/equestrian/horses__ponies/dartmoor_pony/ Videos of Dartmoor Ponies for Sale U.S. and U.K. http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=dartmoor+pony+for+sale&qpvt=dartmoor+pony+for+sale&FORM=VDRE#x0y796 Don’t touch Welsh Mountain Ponies (Section A) or Shetland Ponies if you’re a beginner who wants to ride off the lead rein! I hope this list has been useful to you in helping you find that perfect first horse or pony to give you confidence as you begin your fun journey into the world of horse-riding.
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Today we look at the final four of 7 reasons why your horse may not be right for you.
4. Wrong Temperament Your temperament and that of your horse have to match. If you are both nervous types, the relationship is unlikely to work. One of you has to keep the other calm. I once owned a very anxious Thoroughbred mare. My instructor told me that one of us had to calm down first, and it wasn’t going to be her! If you find yourself ‘winding up’ your horse, and constantly worrying about what he’s going to do next, you may want to consider finding a calmer rider for him and a quieter horse for you. 5. He Is Too Young It’s very tempting to buy a young horse in the happy expectation that you and he will grow old together. Unless you’re experienced in dealing with youngsters, that romantic dream can swiftly become a nightmare. Even if he is quiet when you buy him, this will not necessarily last if you’re unable to continue with the correct training required to keep him well-mannered. If you’ve purchased a youngster and realize he’s too much for you, don’t wait until the horse becomes unmanageable. Find an experienced home for him, where he’ll receive the training he needs to fulfill his potential. Then look for an older, more experienced animal for yourself. You’ll have many more years of fun with the right horse than with the wrong one. 6. He Can’t/Won’t Perform in Your Preferred Discipline Sometimes we find ourselves with a horse that is either unable to, or doesn’t want to, participate in our chosen riding discipline. Here are some ways this can happen: (a) We’ve switched disciplines: for example, moving from show jumping to dressage, and our horse doesn’t enjoy pure flatwork. (b) The horse’s abilities were misrepresented to us when we bought him. (c) He simply isn’t interested in his job any more (he’s sour). If this last is the problem, it may just be a matter of changing his work routine to revive his enthusiasm. I trail rode a sour show jumper for six months solid, and he willingly started jumping again. My current dressage horse co-operates if I take him on trail rides and occasionally jump him to vary his routine. But if the horse makes it clear that he is not suited to whatever you wish to do with him, it’s time to find him a home compatible to his strengths. 7. He Has Constant Health Issues We horse people seem determined to continue with an animal which never stays sound for very long, has permanent respiratory problems or suffers from some other health issue which prevents him from being ridden consistently. While this is an admirable trait, there comes a time when we need to admit that such a horse will never be rideable. Neither is he happy, struggling to be the horse we want. Especially when he has to stand for months on end in his stall – for the sixth time - with an injury that will never heal sufficiently to withstand the rigors of being ridden. I speak from experience, and know how hard it is to accept the finality of this. But the time, money and effort put into such a futile task are much better spent on a healthy horse. If he has an otherwise good quality of life, your unrideable equine buddy should be allowed to live peacefully as a companion animal. Our horses can be totally wrong for us, and yet we tend to love them like children. Since it’s morally reprehensible to sell one’s offspring, we feel the same way about our equine buddies! But be prepared to consider that maybe your horse would be better off in a different, more compatible home. As long as you’ve done your best to find him good parents, there’s no need to feel guilty about selling him. If you think your horse may not be the right one, visit me next Friday, when I’ll be exploring ways to find your perfect horse. |
AuthorHorses are my big obsession, and I'm constantly striving to get better, smarter and more in harmony with my equine buddy, Cruz Bay. Horse Blogs & Sites I Like
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