Dales Youngsters

[Deleted]

Hi Everyone

I have a part bred Dales, who is now 25. I am thinking of getting a Dales Youngster, to keep my old boy company out on rides and to bring on to to take over from my old boy when he does not to be ridden out any more.

I was wondering as the breed is so kind nature and sensible, if it follows that the youngsters are easy to handle as well. I have shared fields with with other native youngsters, (Welsh and Highland X Arabs) that have been utterly horrible and even bullied my old boy and left me with bad experiences.

Many thanks

Vicky

[NFK Dumpling]

Hi Phred/Vicky

I wanted to do exactly the same as you for the same reason.

I got my youngster in Dec 07 as a weanling so my old boy was definately in charge from the outset, James (20yrs+) is quite evil at times and was used to having his own field so it was nearly 6months before I could put them together!

I would think that it depends on the individuals involved - some ponies are natural leaders while others will always take a back seat.

As regards easy to handle, again I would guess that it depends on the nature of the pony and how well its been handled up to the time that you take charge. If you want a kind sensible pony make sure the sire and dam have those qualities and the youngster is likely to follow suit.

I have learnt to be the herd leader and have always maintained James' position as number 2 i.e. he gets the first "Hello" and his feed bowl first.

Would I get a Dales youngster knowing what I know now - you bet!

[harleydales]

My Dales Harley was rather bossy as a youngster, and he was AWFUL as a 5 year old! Very opinionated and bolshy! You do have to keep on top of them as they are big strong ponies and you just can't afford to let them get the upper hand - which goes for horses in general I suppose!!

They are lovely ponies though, and I think the strong character gives them their spark and 'va va voom' for want of a better word!

[Anna]

We have had numerous youngsters over the years and find them generally very biddable and willing animals. The two ladies I work with on the stud come from mixed yard/Tb background and are always amazed at how "easy" and unfussed the Dales are for backing on the whole. They are cheeky types but rarely nasty or unwilling.

In the field it depends on your gelding, we always put the dales foals in with our 30 year old mare who keeps them in check but by the age of rising 2 they start to become much more on-top of her so we move them into a field with a bossier mare whom keeps them in check until they turn into responsible members of society. Our three year olds are very easy in the field and in general and go with most ponies wihtout a problem.

[Deleted]

Thank you so much for the replies. He is out with two nice youngsters at the moment - a two year old and three year old. The three of them get on really well. The replies have really help me. Thank you so much