May 12, 2021

Baby Pony Decisions

I realize it probably seems like it came out of left field, me buying a baby pony like this, but in fact it's been a very carefully calculated plan for a while now. 


I told Lisa I would consider any colt born starting with the class of 2021, with special preference given to a Dyma Hi colt. We've extensively discussed what I want in my next one over the years, so when something hit the ground that met my general criteria, she knew I might want him and let me know. 

Slowly starting to look less like a pile of angles and more like a horse!

Having Aeres last winter really gave me the confidence that I could afford two horses, even if I learned that I don't like riding two in full work every day. This little fella will be in full work when Connor turns 20 or 21 at which time Connor will likely be ready to at least step back in intensity or perhaps get on-site leased as a lower level schoolmaster, which I've had people ask me about and am open to.

So what were my general criteria?

Baby's first side eye

It had to be a colt. I'm grateful for the opportunity to lease Aeres, because while I enjoyed it, coming back to my happy-go-lucky comes-out-of-the-stall-the-same-every-day gelding felt like slipping into my favorite pair of jeans. 

I'm a gelding person and that's okay.

I wanted full Welsh. I REALLY waffled on this, because Lisa has some spectacular Cob X WBs that have done incredibly well in sport, and the cross would probably be a better Dressage mount for me. But there are things that are more important to me than scores, like size. Plus www.cobwbjockey.com (Cobweb Jockey? Cannot unsee that, lol) doesn't have the same ring to it.

Don't think I'm not tempted by this Welsh Cob x Belgian Warmblood filly, she is REALLY nice (Castleberrys Ffafr ap Cuhlwch x Reminice (Belgian WB mare by Simsalabim), but ultimately, I just love ponies too much.

I wanted a particular personality. I want a weirdo, I want something bold, I want something reactive. I've seen enough Welsh Cobs over the years to know they're all generally sane and care about their people, so selecting for something a little more sensitive isn't terrifying the way it might be in some breeds.

When it comes down to it, personality is more important to me than conformational perfection (and I'm not saying that because there's anything wrong with him! Just that I have the maturity to recognize that this computer engineer needs sane and fun above all else.)

I wanted Connor, but better: Connor's same hindquarter and ability to sit that GP trainer loves so much, but more uphill and with more suspension in the trot. It remains to be seen whether Disco will be both of those things, but his mom is Connor's full sister, and his dad is (IMO) Lisa's best trotting stallion, so baby Disco has genetics in his favor. Plus GP trainer likes this stallion best out of Lisa's two primary herdsires, not that I consulted her in this decision.


It is a lovely butt. (Tail has been shortened several inches since this photo was taken. I've taken a foot total off of it since December 31!)

 

We had discussed me requesting a custom breeding, but I didn't like that idea. First, I don't think for a second that I know breeding better than Lisa does. She's 20 years into her program and is a master at identifying good crosses and iteratively improving her stock. And second, personality and gender are important to me, so I wanted to have the chance to say no after meeting baby, something I couldn't do if I did a custom breeding.

 

Well, he's comfortable in an uphill balance, check, lol

Finally, the last piece that gave me the confidence to pull the trigger is that there will be no hard feelings if he doesn't turn out to be what I want. I sincerely hope to be able to show off her program and the breed with this little guy and I wouldn't have said yes if I didn't think he could be that, but if he tells me he'd be happier doing Western Pleasure or something, I'm not going to try to fit a square peg in a round hole, and I'm grateful that I'm not obligated to. For both of our sakes.

Big hopes and dreams for this little guy, but mostly, I want him to be happy and loved <3

17 comments:

  1. I remember the process I went through when picking one of Roscoe's first foals. We really wanted a girl to keep Rosemary company, but his daughter was quite the character and needed lots of attention. We thought about Dyma Hi's for the same reason you have, but he already generated a lot of interest. Ebony's was my first choice, but we waited to meet them all. Ember worked out for us, hopefully Disco will be just right for you.

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    1. Ember ended up being the right choice for you for sure!

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  2. Also a gelding person, I get that fully! I'm excited to watch this little nugget grow up!

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  3. I agree with you on all your points. Gelding only. Pony only. Mind over perfect conformation. And they have to love what they do. That said, my teenage daughter gravitates towards mares and has only owned mares (all ponies–we're short too!). And I am forever grateful that it's her mare is the one that acts like a typical teenager instead of her!

    And isn't it amazing that this year's crop of foals had one that was just right for you?!? Congratulations!

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    1. Aww, I love that, and I don't begrudge mare people at all. I'm glad there are people out there that appreciate them. Truly my favorite rides I've ever had were stallions, but that's tough to do in a boarding barn, so geldings it is. Thank you!

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  4. Love all of this. I'm a planner (feel like you are too), and seeing the big goals mapped out here makes my little Capricorn heart sing. I am also a gelding person. I have enough emotional mood swings for one partnership, thank you very much.

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    1. Verrrrrrrrrrry much so a planner, yes. I need goals and steps and certainty about my future. Word on the mood swings! I need a yes man! haha

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  5. So exciting, congratulations!! I wish I could take on another one but alas I have neither the time nor money to do it the way I want!

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    1. Thank you! And I totally understand that.

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  6. Very excited for you and Disco! :) You know I'm looking (maybe getting a bit trigger happy after seeing you going for it!) - I'm not sure I'm committed to full cob, but leaning that way.

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    1. It's a tough decision. The WBx's have more of the type of movement Dressage judges look for, look at Rocketman scoring well into the 70s at training level. But I just love Cobs, what can I say.

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  7. I guess I could go either way for the right horse! I seriously swoon over one of the 2 year old colts at the barn! He's a beautiful stallion and would be a pretty amazing gelding, too. But I do usually say that I prefer to own mares and lesson on geldings. The mare I've been riding since last fall is not what I think of as a typical mare - ymmv, though LOL. She hates being touched, she's not really moody, but she's pretty standoffish most of the time. She'll boop you every once in a while if she likes you, but she's like the polar opposite of how Promise was with me.

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    1. Mares are awesome in a lot of ways. My college professor did 100 mile endurance rides and she used to say she always preferred a mare, because a gelding would get to the edge of a tricky trail and be like "Okay looks good let's go!" while a mare would stand at the edge and say, "I'm not sure about your decision making skills here, let's stop and talk about this? This looks like a bad idea." There is something to be said for sex hormones and self-preservation instincts. But that said, I love my cuddly ears-always-up gelding.

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    2. Yes! I guess I love that debate, as long as the mare isn't using it to flip you off every 3 seconds LOL

      I always found my mare to be super sweet and cuddly with me and a bit more reserved with others, depending on how well she knew them. I've definitely known cuddly geldings but it hasn't been the norm with them for me. Maybe I just don't know them as well!

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  8. He is so cute that I will actually die, LOL! I'm also 100% a gelding person. I have owned and loved some fantastic mares (still do), and I love riding the Friesian mares, they're amazing... but my good little geldings are still the best.

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  9. Also a gelding person here. I think your decision sounds super sound and I'm excited to get to read about Disco in the years to come.

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