At 08:14:32 on 24.12.09, Flicka wrote:
Can members with ponies give me an idea of the different breeds and their temperaments and characteristics? I rode a lot of welshies when I was younger and loved them but they aren't for the faint-hearted! I've seen a lot of new forests on here and think they look really nice.

At 08:40:09 on 24.12.09, Shazzie B wrote:
My black and white cob is fantasic. When I started looking for a horse there was no way I was going to get a 'gypsy' horse. Under duress, I tried Jake and with 12 yards I knew I wanted him. He is calm and great to handle, REALLY gentle with kids. He will have a go at most stuff but he can let you know if you are annoying him with a quick buck, but not so bad that he unseats you. My ex partner never learnt to ride, but Jake would take him for a hack out round the fields no problems. I am not a fan of jumping but when my little cousin jumps him, you should see the determination in his face! he'll have a crack at anything. On the down side he is pretty food focussed and will eat anything you put near him. I would really recommend B&Ws, my cousin who also has one, Rosie, and she's never been a minutes bother either, just like Jake really.

At 10:32:17 on 24.12.09, NMH wrote:
I think all natives are great, I think Welsh smalls have a good deal of the devil in them, with innocent faces! Connemara's are what I've mostly had, tho' did have a wonderful New Forest for a time. Where Connemaras are terrific is they really are very athletic, fast & brilliant jumpers with surprising scope & well trained can even do high level dressage (there's a theory about Spanish blood in them, something to do with the remnants of the Spanish Armada getting shipwrecked on the W of Ireland!!) They are not only great enthusiasts & always fun,but are very people-oriented & gentle with kids, RDA etc. Having said all that I think many of these attributes would be similar in all our native breeds, aren't we lucky to have them!!

At 13:12:00 on 24.12.09, vesophie wrote:
i ride lots of fells as my mum in law breeds them they are more an adults pony as they want they say in everything and it can be like having a 16hh about but everyone can ride them and they can do anything! there brill if you dont mind the 10ft of mane and the fluffy legs! plus they are easy and cheap to keep!

At 19:11:51 on 24.12.09, chrissie wrote:
I have had a welsh A that only had one eye, he was really good in most ways but once a year our local farmer would dump his rotten potatoes at the top of one of his fields, my pony would smell it a mile off & many a time if we were riding in that field he would bolt with me & dump me in the pile.! my newforest pony was brilliant at everything but only if she wanted to do it, I had 2 exmoor ponies that were quite well behaved, but I have found that most ponies have a cheeky side to them, thats why we love them.

At 23:21:21 on 24.12.09, bernadette wrote:
Well Flicka,being irish i do have a soft spot for connies.They are loyal,surefooted,great jumpers and have lovely temprements and are beauties.great with kids,RDA and are very willing and honest.I love cobs too,for all the same reason's metioned above.I think in general ponies are great fun to ride.In her day Mandy was great to ride good jumper too and she would throw the odd buck but that was part of the fun,Bailey takes after her,like mother like son.At the end of the day you get what you put in weather it be with a horse or pony.It's a kinda Magic.....sorry just breaking into song there.

At 06:39:51 on 26.12.09, momarida wrote:
My heart and soul are all in on icelandic horses. Only by size a pony. They are extremely self confident,sure footed,pigheaded,strongminded and.....as a bonus..... They've got lots of fire. They look very cute (especially now in winter fur) but in reality they are small barrels of gunpowder with a very short fuse. On the other side they are loving,gentle, well tempered,always ready willing and able and very very very smart. In short.... They are perfect!!!

At 17:50:21 on 29.12.09, Natasha wrote:
I adore welsh's but i do also like Norwegian Fjord ponies. I love the look of the mane and there colour ! They look beautiful! They are easy to look after aswell.

At 19:24:00 on 29.12.09, chrissie wrote:
iam with you there! I love norwegian fjords & haflingers.

At 13:32:46 on 03.01.10, PonyPower wrote:
I have a NF. Chilled out mare, lazy..a bit, loves jumping, but easy to keep in rythmn, and just as good at getting herself out of trouble if she takes off too early or too late, all I have to do is not interfere. Have ridden fjords in the past and the small TB used in polo, ooo argentine polo ponies, which aren't TB are also fab, and really tough. In fact I will ride just about anything that is vertically challenges and will carry my 7stone weight.