Foxhunting ponies- Where does be find this magical creature?

[MissMilly]

Hi everyone,
The recent adorable pics from the Countryside Alliance have me wondering…where oh where do you find a first pony who can foxhunt? All of the children who ride out with us are older, and I don’t know of any small ponies in our area. Does anyone have a reliable source for small ponies that have some experience in the field? Not hunting per se, but quiet around hounds and "safe"in the open on a line?
I can’t even find a real shetland around here, they are all the American type. Anyone know where to find a traditional shetland? I’d be interested in any leads…breeders, hunt with lots of kids moving up in size, anything! Or your stories of how your family found the perfect pony.

Thank you.

[2foals]

There’s really no such thing as a “perfect pony.”
Also, I have had most of my luck using ponies for hunting that have had a lot of trail experience–rather than hunting experience–beforehand. It’s just hard to find ponies with hunting experience. Also, there really aren’t many traditional type Shetlands here in the U.S. I found some cute Shetlands at one point in my searches, but they were bred for driving and were too spirited for small kids. Finding a pony of a particular type that has hunting experience is even rarer. I think the best first pony for hunting is something that has a little age on it, that has had plenty of trail experience, if only so it is comfortable with groups of horses riding together.

If you are serious about finding a good pony, I’d set aside any breed requirements, and scan local advertisements (dreamhorse, craigslist, equine.com, etc.) religiously until you see something that looks sensible that has trail experience. There are a lot of great smaller QHs and paints and grade ponies out there in most areas. My two best kids’ hunt “ponies” are small QHs. For hunting, I think that a little bit of a bigger pony is sometimes easier to manage. Slightly bigger ponies seem to be able to cross terrain (mud, creeks) more smoothly than smaller ponies, even if you are just walking.

[CLV]

Just sent you a private message.

[Christa_P]

Check pulling or draft cross ponies. We had one many years ago that was bred as a pulling pony and we bought to use for pleasure driving. It turned out she had issues with the carriage, but was fantastic in every other way. We sold her to a H/J barn and then she was sold again as a field hunt pony. She was a stocky 12H and I’m sure had kids lining up for her when the previous one outgrew her.

[yellowbritches]

The two ponies I had that hunted had done just about everything else. They were just good all round kids mounts that had done time as school ponies, camp ponies, show teams, you name it. One we knew had hinted. The other we suspected. They were some of the most fun critters I’ve ever sat on in the field and were great with their kids, although their kids were pre-teen and teenaged and pretty accomplished. I think had I had the time, I could have gotten them quiet enough for less experienced kids, too.

So, I would just look for good all around ponies. Probably Pony Club would be a good source. You may have to tune them up a bit for the field, but most ponies that have survived riding schools, show teams, gaming, and the like can handle the hunt field just fine.

There are definitely those who specialize in them, but I also think a GOOD hunting pony is probably something that gets passed around among a hunt and not something that gets sold. I know if I had a good pony, I wouldn’t be quick to let it go far!

[Rt66Kix]

If you haven’t already joined Foxhunters On Facebook, check us out. I’m the admin, and only allow “made” hunt horses to be advertised. There’s been several proven ponies listed for sale in the last several months.

[Highflyer]

Try www.olneyfarm.com for the old fashioned type of Shetland-- but I agree that most of the ones I’ve met have just been patient pony club types, not necessarily fox hunting specialists.

[pAin_t_Misbehavin]

[QUOTE=Highflyer;8082525]
Try www.olneyfarm.com for the old fashioned type of Shetland-- but I agree that most of the ones I’ve met have just been patient pony club types, not necessarily fox hunting specialists.[/QUOTE]

Thank you! I have very fond memories of my first pony, a Shetland mare, and didn’t think there were any of these around any more on this side of the Atlantic. One day I’m going to have one of these! Or maybe two.

[RiderInTheRain]

Ridden by small adults who thought they were training “project ponies” to ultimately sell to children but ended up falling in love with hunting the pony themselves and ended up selling their full sized horse in favor of continuing to hunt the pony…

Ok, maybe that is not where most of them are! But that is what happened with me and my hunt pony.

In all seriousness though, most of the ones the pony club kids show up on for hunts are “jack of all trades” sorts, many of whom were extensively ridden and trail ridden in western saddles before being purchased by a pony clubber.

[MissMilly]

Thanks everyone! I’m certainly not wedded to the idea of a shetland, but we’re talking pretty little kids here. Shetland sized would be great, don’t really care what they look like. Our PC has lots of large ponies around, but I’m really looking for the first pony- lots of leading, grooming and a bit of hill topping on a line. I’ll check out all the listing sites and continue to keep my ear to the ground.
Unfortunately for me, my kids are the oldest of a whole pack of hunt member grandchildren that are coming up. Once I find a suitable pony I suspect he will be in high demand for years. It’s just finding the little bugger that’s the problem!

[Cherry]

Good ponies are hard to find!

I don’t know what kind of budget you have but I would peruse the http://www.marylandponybreeders.org site. The members breed a variety of ponies–some breed classic Shetlands, some Welsh and/or Welsh crosses. If you contact the assocation I believe they have a listing of their members and the breeds they specialize in.

I notice they have a “Marketplace” on the site with ponies listed for sale.

There is also a Welsh pony breeder in Nottingham, PA–Guy and Helen Clardy–their farm is Clarwood Welsh Ponies and they have a website. I encourage you to call Mrs. Clardy just to talk to her–she may have a suitable pony or be able give you some leads.

I agree a pony that has been trail ridden would make a good candidate. Even if you had to put some extra training on the pony I think it would be worth it.

I found my Shetland via word of mouth, but the vet said he wasn’t a kid’s pony–not sure how he knew that, but I was in my forties and he was to be my pony so it didn’t matter.

There are Shetland type ponies on Craigslist from time to time but I think the best way to find them is word of mouth! Call the vets and farriers in your area and see if they know of any for sale. Also call any Pony Club or 4-H leaders in your area. Tack shop or feed store personnel may also have leads for you. Check The Equine Marketer, The Horse of Delaware Valley, The Paper Horse, and The Lancaster Farming Journal.

[gumtree]

You don’t give a location in PA and it is a big state. If you are near the SE part might be worth contacting Susannah Small. She hunts with Cheshire (Unionville area, where New Bolton vet clinic is located) and has children that hunt. She also has a boarding and lessons barn. There are lots of kids that hunt with Cheshire and kids grow out of their ponies so I am sure they either get traded around the neighborhood and or get put up for sale. I should think she may have a pretty good idea of how to go about finding one and or giving leads. It’s been my experience with hunt horses, proven good ones rarely need to be advertised. They are almost always sold by word of mouth quickly. At least in my neck of the woods, SE PA, MD and NoVa. Looking up and contacting the various hunts maybe worth the effort also.

This is a link to Susannah’s website and contact information;

http://laureleye.vpweb.com/Susannah-Small.html

[Equibrit]

http://ponyclick.com/

[Equibrit]

http://www.vrponyclub.org/Horses-&-Ponies-for-Sale

[BeastieSlave]

I have a small Dartmoor cross pony who hunted for a few years and just loves it! She’s not a pony I would put a toddler on, but a competent 6-13 year old could have a ball with her. She’ll take a child safely through or over anything. I would never sell her but gumtree is right, we find leases for her by word of mouth now.
The heartbreak for the smalls is that the kids outgrow them so quickly…

[Kyzteke]

Th. Pics of his foxhunting.

If you are looking for the safest kids’ (or small adults!) pony for ring work or trail riding, you’ve found him! ‘Gregory’ is a very sweet, very rotund, 14 hand, 14-year-old German Riding Pony cross gelding. He is as sweet as they come, is easy to ride, and safe for beginners to handle and ride.

Gregory is a very well rounded pony! Besides being a fantastic school horse, he also drives both single and double, jumps, trail rides, has been shown and loves to foxhunt! He’s quiet yet brave, and is willing to go over bridges, through rivers, over logs, etc. He is not spooky at all and is very traffic safe. He will gladly pack your tiniest short stirrup rider around a course!
Gregory is a gentleman with absolutely no vices or soundness issues. He is an easy keeper, is barefoot, and is 100% sound. Come try him out – we know you’ll fall in love with him! Asking $3,000. Located in Derry, NH, however transportation is available. Phone calls only, please call 603-231-1237 for more information!

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[2foals]

Oh, I see, and I agree, for a first pony for a tiny kid it is nice to go small. It’s so important for the kids to be able to handle/lead/groom/pick feet of their own pony. Kids really love it when they can be independent.

It takes a lot of patience to find a good pony. When I first set out to find my boys their first ponies I was very frustrated. I wasn’t yet in the loop with the local pony club and didn’t have any connections with anyone who had ponies. I put my name out, but probably no one in those circles knew me well enough to trust me with one of those special hand me down ponies! There were a lot of unsuitable ponies advertised–ponies that were cute but hard to catch, or needed work/training, or just weren’t “kid” ponies. None of the pony breeders I talked to were terribly helpful–they primarily had young, untrained ponies, whereas for a first pony I wanted something more of the experienced pre-loved variety.

[rhymeswithfizz]

[QUOTE=MissMilly;8083273]
Thanks everyone! I’m certainly not wedded to the idea of a shetland, but we’re talking pretty little kids here. Shetland sized would be great, don’t really care what they look like. Our PC has lots of large ponies around, but I’m really looking for the first pony- lots of leading, grooming and a bit of hill topping on a line. I’ll check out all the listing sites and continue to keep my ear to the ground.
Unfortunately for me, my kids are the oldest of a whole pack of hunt member grandchildren that are coming up. Once I find a suitable pony I suspect he will be in high demand for years. It’s just finding the little bugger that’s the problem![/QUOTE]

We have one of these fellows, 10.2h black/white ball of fuzzy cuteness, and he is indeed in high demand! I got him off of craiglist for $450. We had to make him ourselves though, as he originally went western and mostly lead line. But his retraining was easy - he is very smart, sensible, and willing. My daughter started hunting on the pony line, so he just got used to following the big horses around.

My oldest has outgrown him, but I have two more girls growing into him now. He is a very kind soul.

[Equibrit]

H&H ponies hunting bit;
http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/tiny-ponies-young-jockeys-big-fences-out-hunting-pictures-479887

THIS is why Brits are good eventers ! It’s in the DNA.

[Pennywell_Bay]

I was lucky enough to have this mythical beast fall into my lap. He is worth his weight in gold. He is a welsh pony (small) who began his career standing on the line in Hunter Breeding, was quiet enough to do lead line at Devon with my daughter at 3 and 4. This year he is hacking out hilltopping with a local club.

It was totally by accident. I sent him to our trainer and she had her kid take him to our local horse park to “get out of the ring”. He goes cross country like he’s a 20 year old horse and is a solid citizen.

My daughter started riding him out in our outside course (which is huge), down our mile long driveway, everywhere - you get the picture.

The best thing to do is ask around local professionals or horse people you trust. He happens to have the potential to win in the pony divisions in the ring, but my daughter has caught the “hunting bug” right now and we are enjoying that together.

Good luck in your search!!! They are out there!