I have a secret!!!

[rowy]

Well not any more :P but I really need your help!!!

Basically I am buying a new pony!!!
We have had trouble with Dancer since we have moved about separation fom Rowan, i.e. she goes craazy. I did a post about it a while ago because Rowan was bad as well and due to u guys saying i should keep at it, Rowan is good now!!!
But Dancer is still bad, she is a danger to herself and at 17 I dont want to push her too much especially as she stuggles with her weight anyway, keeping it high. Next year I want to go to lots of comps with Rowan which poses a bit of a problem.
So there is an exmoor stud about 10 mins away down the road and I have been 3 times now. I dont know if anyone knows about exmoors but they are really rare breed on conservation board. They are one of the oldest breeds of horses (with chevalski) they need now rugs as they have special coats. they grow to about 12.2hh but can easily carry adults and in fact suit adults better as they tend to have very strong characters for children.
There are 2 i have been looking at a 1 year old colt who already stands about 11.2hh ish (estimating) so he is gonna be right up the top size wise at 12.3-13hh i would guess. He is gorgeous and i fell in love with him straight away. (i should say that all these horse aren't handled really at all) despite hardly being handled he walks right up in front of all the others and lets u touch him and has the cutest face. I have only seen him in the field though where he is obviously comfortable so i am thinking would he change drastically once moved? Also my mum is worried about gelding. Does it pose many problems? what are the chances of it going wrong? is it difficult to look after once gone? i.e. weeping etc.
There is also a 2 year old filly. she is currently about 11.3-12hh and is going to make 12.1/2 which means she is eligable for proper breed classes at county shows and she is properly registered with anchor breeding. I saw her in the other day and spent some time with her. she was nervous to start off with but once feeding her she let me stroke her face and neck and itch her fine. after she finished eating she was a little nervous to be touched still but stayed close ish.

So my dilemma. which one should i get??? once gelding is included they are basically the same price. help pleaseeee! also advice on gelding and what it is like would be cool too
sorry about the essay!

[BEX101]

I'd go for the filly as it sounds like you would have more options with her. Does dancer get on well with both mares and geldings?

[rowy]

well dancer does prefere girls 2bh but she doesn't mind Rowan. in fact she hasn't gotten overly attached to him which is good but worries and gets anxious when alone. she used to get so overly attached to mares and be even worse when away from them :S

[My Crazy Clan]

Why not get a horse from a rescue center? so many horses that need good homes....

I wouldn't got for the colt because he wouldn't be able to go straight in with dancer, castration is simple if you have a good vet and he has both balls.

[CityLights]

i think rhea makes a good comment, i would go find something at the ILPH or something like that which needs a home just as a companion, that way your helping out as well

[rowy]

Thanks for your replies.
I didnt write the reasons i have chosen an exmoor/ to buy rather than get a rescue because i didnt want it to take up a whole page lol but i'll write it here.
The other reasons i decided to buy is so that i can train it up while im at uni slowly and back it more slowly than i even backed rowan and then to sell at the end and hopefully sue the profit if there is any on a deposit on a house if i am in that situation or on a dressage youngster (my dream). My mum may decided to buy it off me if she loves and and wants to keep it as Dancers companion. depends how much promise it shows.

The reasons i decided on an exmoor after looking into the breed is that they are hardy. small but can easily take my weight and i wont look stupid like if i bought a shetland. they dont need shoes, rugs or food. they live off fresh air after being an really old breed can survive easily off shrubs, trees etc. like goats i guess lol. I will be paying for it completely myself.
I am hoping to do some working hunter, mountain and moorland showing comps as well as dressage. and some sj

The reason i decided not to get a rescue is because i cannot guarentee it a home for life being only 19 myself. I have read up and it says that people adopting must be able to give it a long term home. Also, it would have to be out all over the winter (hence getting a hardy exmoor) also i cannot afford veterinary care that comes with getting an older rescue that may be badly treated and need special care. (i do have money which i have saved in case vet emergency comes up with the exmoor though). Also i would like one i could ride as ultilmately it would be nice for me and my mum and sister to all go for a ride.

Also, there are so many horses out there being sold to markets because of the current economic situation that end up as meat or being passed and passed around and horribly treated, particularly now horses are so cheap and so hard to sell. I especially understand that the bhs are asking people to buy rather than breed (is it the bhs????) because of so many unwanted horses on the market which is the reason i have decided to buy rather than breed or buy to breed etc. If in 4 years time i decide it is not the right decision to sell this exmoor thgen i wont, or else i will sell it to a kind home where it will be long term irrespective of price. obviously it would be nice to get what i payed back but that is not of most importance.

lol Hopefully this explains all my choices. I hope you can tell i have thought about all this very thoroughly in hope that i make the best decision and am certain that an exmoor is the best choice for me. especially after seeing them, they are so gorgeous and really versatile.

[Anni~Bell]

Just be careful, exmoors can be right little ***** and if they don't want to do something, they won't!
I have read your reasons about not getting a rehome but even in your situation you can still get a really good rehome. Most places allow you to get a youngster and then back it how you want to back it. You really have to do your homework though and speak to a few charities. Especially with not being able to possibly give it a home for life. What if you can't give the foal a home for life and then you can't sell it, your still stuck with said horsey? At least the charities will look into taking the horse back for you and start rehoming it.

But I too would go with the filly as like Rhea said it won't be able to go with Dancer for a good 3-4 weeks even after castration

[rowy]

thanks maybe i will look into possibly getting a youngster rehome but im just thinking whether it will need rugs/ shoes etc.
heehee i love emoors characters the colt is really cheeky :P
i would never be desperate to sell it cos we have our own land etc and i would hope i would never be in that situation where i have to sell it quickly!!