Welsh gelding for a companion

[mtpony]

I have a beautiful 3 year old gelding, grey, looking for home as a pasture ornament or a companion. He has little vision in one eye, so can't be out in a big group, they learn to sneak up on his blind side and pick on him. Sweet as can be, wants to be in your pocket. He is out babysitting weanlings now, but I have no place for him come winter to be in a small group. He is in WNY.
References required and checked.

[lisae]

Hi mtpony, I also saw your post on my Walnut Hill thread, we are in the Canandaigua area with my two mares, (6 yr old Haflinger, 5 yr. old Morgan-Percheron cross) and I would be interested in hearing more about your little gelding. My two are good together but I'm finding some herd-bound behavior when I try and take one or the other out to ride or ground drive.

My husband is a crop manager for a large neighborhood dairy farm but we have 250 acres of our own that he brings to the acreage. He puts up our own hay, and I'm a stickler for good, regular farrier and vet care.

We also have two teenage sons who are computer buffs but do help pitch out the barn when they need cash. ;)

Did your gelding lose his sight, or was he born with a vision problem? Do you think he would be able to learn to drive, or is he limited by the blindness?

Thank you for any further info, Lisa

[mtpony]

Lisa:

He lost his vision in a pasture accident as a foal/weanling, so has been pretty much vision impaired his whole life.

I honestly thought he was going to be my next driving star, but I am not sure that's what he wants to do. He has been hooked and driven last year, but was not dependable. In his defense, I usually do all the ground work on the ponies right up to the actual hooking. I have no safe place to do that part, nor any help, so I send them away for 30 days for the actual first hooking part... I had a few health issues last year, so sent him away without the basics. I have always wondered had he stayed here where he knew us for the basics, and had the trust, if it would have made a difference in his dependability. He might still drive just fine, if he knew the people, trusted them, and started over.

He is out of my best imported mare (that went to Walnut Hill a year or so ago,) and out of an imported stallion. His full siblings have been national champions on the line. I love this pony, one of my all time favorites, but have no place for him once the grass is gone.

You're more than welcome to come and meet him, he will try to crawl in your pocket.

[Jumperatheart]

I saw a jumper at the show last week that only had one eye. The other eye wasn't even there...just an eye socket and he did really good jumping. I guess when the horse really trusts you, the possibilities are unlimited.

I don't need another horse or I would take him. But just wanted everyone to know one eyed horses can compete, he doesn't have to be a pasture ornament. ;)

[anuphillbattle]

just to clarify - does he have decent vision in one eye and blind in the other or poor vision in one eye and blind in the other ? Sorry I can't take on another but it wasn't clear to me, so thought I'd ask the question. What a shame!

[mtpony]

He has perfect vision in one eye, very little if any left in the other. He just had a little pasture mishap as a baby.
And I do think he wiould be able to do something besides be an ornament, but he would have to know his people, I think. He is a very bold guy.

[lisae]

A big thank you to mtpony. :winkgrin:

We went and picked up the little guy yesterday and he is settling in nicely. My Haflinger thinks he's the best thing to happen to her in months, while the Morgan-Percheron mare is being aloof.

He's a bright pony with a lovely trot. Half my fun is watching my equines over morning coffee, and the view just got that much better! :D

Lisa

[mtpony]

Thank you to Lisa for giving him a good home, so glad he is working out, he has been one of my favorites, and we are so happy he could be placed in a perfect situation.