Horse Details

I am looking for a knowledgeable, long-term loan home for a much-loved 10-year-old tri-colour gelding. He has huge amounts to offer the right person, but he is not a novice ride and he absolutely cannot jump due to a previous tendon injury.

We are based near Cambridge. I do not have a strict rule about how far away he can be loaned but will give preference to people within 2-3 hours drive and/or near the route between Devon and Cambridge.

Although pony-sized, he takes up the leg well and carries weight well. I am 5’8″ and he carries me comfortably, striding out bigger than our 15.2hh cob. I might look too big, but I don’t feel too big!

Who Would Suit Him?
His ideal home would be with an experienced rider who enjoys having a horse with a bit of sparkle and wants a genuine partner for varied non-jumping activities.

I could see him suiting a confident, mature rider who wants something smaller and easy to get on and off while hacking, but who still enjoys riding a quality, forwardgoing pony rather than a plod.

He will be great for:
Hacking
Unaffiliated dressage
EquiTrek
Working equitation
In-hand work
Liberty training

He loves having a job and is intelligent, trainable and adaptable. Although he won’t ever be a top-level dressage pony, he can work in a nice outline, has attractive movement and an excellent uphill canter.

People looking for a safe and boring plod will not enjoy him. People looking for an intelligent, fun and responsive pony quite possibly will.
This is not a decision I am rushing. Finding the right home is far more important than finding a quick home.

A bit more information…
Yogi is a handsome, sporty pony who attracts compliments wherever he goes. Previously a Pony Club pony, he has enjoyed a wide variety of activities including mounted games, polocrosse, hacking and general riding club activities.

He has lovely paces, particularly an uphill canter, and is rewarding to school. He does dish in front, so although he is very attractive, I don’t see him as a show pony.

He is kind and affectionate in the stable, easy to handle, clip, shoe and transport, and was very well behaved throughout months of in-hand rehabilitation work following his tendon injury.

Important: Tendon Injury
Yogi went lame when in hard work doing lots of jumping. He was never very lame, was fully rehabbed and has now been back in full work (mainly hacking), within his restrictions, for six months without any problems. However, he has an old tendon scar which makes him significantly more vulnerable to re-injury than a pony with no such history.

Because of this, I am looking for a home that will be sensible and conservative about managing his workload.

Our vet is happy to speak directly to prospective loaners about the injury, his rehabilitation and any ongoing management considerations.

Riding & Hacking
Hacking is one of his greatest strengths. He loves covering ground and would thrive in a home with excellent hacking and opportunities for long rides and big canters.

Excellent in company
Good in traffic
Good to ride and lead, both as the ridden horse and the horse being led
Forward-going and responsive rather than ploddy.
Loves a gallop – he’s a fun ride, will pull if behind in company.

He’s the kind of pony you can ride on the buckle at walk while you have a chat, but then springs into action for a trot or canter.

He can occasionally be spooky and has previously shown some nappy behaviour when hacking alone. When he was competing, he went through a phase of napping at XC starts or away from the collecting ring, something we worked through and which reflected an inexperienced rider (10-11yo) but was quite a big deal at the time.

He therefore needs a rider who is capable, confident and happy to ride through occasional resistance quietly and consistently. He has not shown the same behaviour out hacking since rehab or previously in lower pressure environments, but I expect it could reappear in a less confident home.

Home Requirements
His welfare is extremely important to me. He must have:
Year-round turnout
Equine companionship
Plenty of forage
A welfare-focused home

I would strongly prefer a field-based or equicentric environment. He lives out happily (without a rug last winter), is straightforward to manage and has no other significant health issues.

Happy turned out with mares or geldings, will settle if left home alone. Shod in front at the moment because we do lots on the road.

Loan Arrangement
I am seeking a long-term loan home initially, although I may consider a sale in the future if he is exceptionally well settled.

Loaners will be required to:
Hold their own third-party liability insurance
Insure him for acute injury and illness
Respect his workload restrictions

Applying
When applying, please include:
Rider’s age and experience
What you want a pony for
Details of your yard and turnout
Why you think this pony would suit you.
If you are looking for a child’s pony, an explanation of why you think he would be suitable. given the limitations described.

I will not respond to enquiries that do not contain at least this basic information. There is no rush and I will be selective about where he goes.

Masses more photos and videos are available for genuinely interested and suitable homes, including videos showing both his strengths and the nappy behaviour described above.

In summary: a handsome, kind, fun and versatile pony with a huge amount to offer the right rider. Not a novice ride, not a jumping pony, but potentially an exceptional partner for someone seeking a forward-going horse for hacking, schooling and enjoying life together.

For the right rider, however, he is enormous fun. He is handsome enough to turn heads wherever he goes, athletic, adaptable, kind, genuine and full of personality. He loves having a job and I am convinced there is a fantastic home out there where he can enjoy many years of being a busy, appreciated partner.

NB Jumping video that I have shared are all pre-injury and included to give you an idea about what the pony is like when ‘up and at it’ but are not a reflection of what he can do in the future.