Anyone heard of a Gotland pony?

[BackyardDressageMom]

Anyone heard or know of any of these? I had never heard of them.
I'm going to be looking at one for a prospect for my paralyed friend to drive.

The pony is 14yrs old, originally trained to drive for an 8yr old blind girl, whose adoptive mom happened to be Mia Farrow.
Then purchased by another 8yr old showed in driving and riding. Driven all around town regularly, now outgrown, being offered to help another special person to learn to drive.

Here's a pic:
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a69/RitaBellinger/Emmett.jpg

[monicabee]

I have actually heard of them - I was in the south of Gotland, in the area where they run - not really wild but feral - but we didn't see any.

Thanks for jogging my memory. It was at least 15 years ago, but recalling the environment - a coastal area - they must be pretty hardy.

I didn't know there were any in the States.

[Tamlain]

Yup - I've heard of them....don't remember much as I was a kid and my grandmother would tell me stories of her life as a child back in Sweden. If I understood her right, her Papa had brought her a pony back after visiting the island when she was young.

My prize possessions as a child was my collection of dala horses, and when I played with them, the smaller ones were either babies or the ponies from Gotland.

Wish I knew more about them to tell you, but I've never had the pleasure of meeting any myself, and Farmor passed away a few years ago.

[lizathenag]

Google is our friend. Now I have learned something today!
Gotland Pony (http://explorenorth.com/library/weekly/aa120399.htm)

[Alagirl]

LOL, some of my favorite horsey books had Gotland ponies as 'heroes'

sry can't tell you much about them past the fiction....but they seem to be pretty popular in Sweden for kids ponies, though as I can recall something about being a little poniish from time to time (but then again, I think they are true ponies, not little horses!) ;)

[BackyardDressageMom]

this is a link to the farm where he was bred. They say there about 200 in the US

http://www.kokoweb.com/

[Gaia]

When I started riding there was a lot of Gotlands ponies in the riding schools. They are called "Russ" in Sweden - from the local Gotland dialect.

The homepage of the breed;

http://www.gotlandsruss.se/

Look under "fotogalleri" for pictures.

It says that all american russ are registred in : ” The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy”

I like/d the horses I met. Strong but most of them good tempered, even with us young riders.

http://www.gotlandsruss.se/Tavlanderuss.htm a lot of the competing russes are in driving.

reporting from Sweden/Gaia

[Thomas_1]

Nope but I used to live near Gothland in the North Yorkshire Moors when I was a boy.

[Windancer]

There were at least 6 Gotlands at the 2006 National Drive in KY. Maybe a few more. There is someone in TX that has them and possibly does some breeding. Nice ponies.

[ptownevt]

I think that Another Chance for Horses had a Gotland pony up for adoption.

[RidesAHaflinger]

Pix and info: http://www.drivingpairs.com/index.php?pg=6&b=10

[BackyardDressageMom]

I emailed the breeder at Kokovoko Farm in KY.. They remembered the pony and told me they had a breed display at the Equine Affaire last year (apparantly I don't pay enough attention when I go) and this pony performed there.

Who knows, if all goes well (I'm supposed to try him out this Friday), my (paralyed)friend Brenda and I might be driving him in the Breed demo next year.

[DancingQueen]

The Gotland pony is a Swedish breed. They origin from Lojsta moor on the Island of Gotland on Swedens eastcoast.
Ponies are still bred naturally on the moor every year but a lot of the Gotland ponies or Gotlandsruss/en are also bred in captivity by breeders across Sweden.
It's a small sturdy pony that is often driven or ridden by small children.
I will try to find you a website for their breed organization, I'm sure they will be delighted to provide you with more information.

[DancingQueen]

www.raresteeds.com/Breeds/gotland.htm (http://www.raresteeds.com/Breeds/gotland.htm)

Should have all the links you need. Have fun with your pony!

[hitchinmygetalong]

The Kokovoko Gotlands are very well-known in driving circles in this area. Their pair usually win their division at the CDE's I have been to.

From what I have seen, Gotlands are a small, slightly feral-looking, very honest, hard-working pony. They don't appear to be lap-ponies but they seem to have a very even disposition. They seem to be outstanding driving ponies. I have never seen one under saddle.

I hope things work out and your friend finds that driving is a fantastic sport in which she might excel. Best of luck to the both of you.

[pricestory]

I second everything hitch....... said.
Leslie is a personal friend and I would trust her breeding and opinion of any pony she bred. She is an honest, above board horsewoman. Good for you if you can get one of her ponies.

[BackyardDressageMom]

hitchinmygetalong/ pricestory- wow, very nice revues. I have emailed the breeder and she responded promptly, with very nice comments about the pony and felt that he'd be a great match for a handicapped person new to driving.

He's being offered to us as a free (long term) lease, his teenage owner cannot bear to "sell" him, but would love to see him be used for this special situation as she has outgrown him and moved on to a new Dressage horse. No wonder they don't want to sell, the pony, breeder and owners all seem wonderful.

I'm scheduled to try him out this Friday- I'll keep you posted and try to get some pics.

Thanks so much for the input.

[uphill]

Sounds like a win/win situation - great little ponies - rode one as a kid in Sweden.

[RyLore Farm]

I saw Leslie's Gotlands at the National Drive this year in Kentucky. Two of them she BROKE TO DRIVE in less than 30 minutes each at the park and I got to ride around with her. Neither of them had ever driven before. She line- drove them paired with a seasoned pony for about 5-10 minutes each and then hooked them to her cart with the seasoned pony. I am not lying, not even exaggerating. Both took to it like old pros (hey, I'm not stupid enough to ride/drive with a green horse at the Kentucky horse park if my life were really in any danger). NO issues, no attitude, no spooks. Heck one even yawned at the end of her drive "Is it time for my nap yet?"

The second amazing thing I saw these ponies do at the drive was she hooked four for the first time. She brought with her two pairs that had each shown as pairs, but never driven four--Leslie had never driven four either. She hooked her two pairs together and drove four-up in an arena at the park. I have never seen horses or ponies take to new experiences as well as Swedish Gotlands. I was completely blown away--they acted like it was old hat. It's a shame they weren't used in the multiples demonstration/clinic that went on during the festivities. Jaws would have dropped to know how green but how well behaved they were. And they are ALL like that. It's an amazing breed and when I have kids of my own, they definitely will have and learn to ride and drive from this breed of pony. Totally bombproof and unflappable!

[pricestory]

Any word from the trial on Friday? Inquiring minds want to know.

[MagicRoseFarm]

I organized the Sportpony demo at Equine Affaire Mass this year , and we were very lucky to have a driving pair of Gotlands from Kokovoko in this Demo. I was previously unfamiliar with them and was very impressed.We will be inviting them back next year!

[BackyardDressageMom]

I'm rescheduled to try the pony tomorrow.

The teenage owner called to reschedule because Colleges were coming to her school on Friday (I didn't think that was a very good reason to cancel our appt) of course I'm kidding!! We're just so anxious.

They did call like 3 times tho apologizing for rescheduling and that they were still very interested and confidant that this was the perfect situation.

So I'm going tomorrow. Course now it's supposed to snow tonight. I told my husband to hook up our plow truck cuz I'm making the 2hr trip no matter what- I can't wait. I'll try to get some pics.

Even the breeder and I have been emailing back and forth anxious to see how it goes.

Who knows, next years Breed Demo at the Equine Affaire could be my (paralyed) friend driving!

[DaisyMae]

I've been working with one of these ponies since last spring. He is 12 yrs. old, was a stallion until age 7 and was only barely started under saddle when his owner contacted me. He could not have been easier to get going as a riding pony. He is a very fast learner and a sweet, sweet boy. I hope the trial goes well for you!

[BackyardDressageMom]

So our first winter storm was predicted for last night. Ugh, snow I was ready for. I had my husband hook up one of our plow trucks for me- I was making the 2hr trip no matter what!(lol), we're all just so anxious to try this amazing pony.

So I wake up to ice and pouring freezing rain and school delays-poop. Had to cancel and reschedule for hopefully another day this week. No sense risking an accident along the way, and in ice and pouring rain, I don't think anyone/anything would look it's best.

If I'm making a 2hr drive, I'd really like to be able to try the pony and check him out thoroughly.

I'll keep you posted.