Gypsy

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Profile:
Gypsy is a 12 yr old 12hh white grey Welsh x mare who is looking for a Lead Rein home.

Gypsy originally came into the care of the ILPH in 2002 as one of a group of 6 ponies who had been left without any care and attention when their elderly owner had been taken to hospital. She had been used to teach a number of children to ride on the lead rein and, since her rehabilitation, this is what she has been doing on the Loan Scheme. Gypsy recently returned to Glenda Spooner Farm as she had been outgrown, and she is now ready to find a new home teaching more aspiring riders. At present she lives out with a group of mares, but she could be stabled as long as she has some daily turnout. Unfortunately she has suffered from laminitis in the past so care needs to be taken if she is to spend large periods of time turned out. Potential borrowers will need to have experience and the facilities to prevent recurrence of this painful condition. Whilst Gypsy is excellent with children in the saddle, she is less reliable from the ground. She is no trouble for an adult to catch, lead, tie up and groom (she can occasionally try to nip when being led), but children would need to be well supervised. We have recently put front shoes on Gypsy as she was getting a little footsore on our stone tracks. However depending on the amount of work and the terrain she may well be fine unshod when out on loan. Either way she will need the attention of a qualified registered farrier every 6-8 weeks and they should be best place to advise in this regard. We became aware of Gypsy's major hang-up within hours of her original admission to Glenda Spooner Farm. She really does not care for vets, especially vets brandishing needles! Our vet was warned when she returned from loan and, with an experienced groom to assist him, he has managed to vaccinate her and sedate her for her annual teeth rasp with few problems. However any potoential borrower needs to be mindful of this. Laying this aside, Gypsy is a truly excellent pony for any child wishing to learn to ride. She is good in the school (as previously mentioned, she can occasionally try to nip her handler) and will also jump small fences. She seems extremely reliable when the handler is at a distance and only holding the end of the lead rein which allows the jockey a fair measure of independence. We have been told she can be naughty when off the lead, and as we have no members of staff who physically resemble a 6 year old it is impossible to properly assess this! Gypsy will hack out, and has been fine when led from the ground on hacks round the village in the company of other horses and riders. However the brilliant thing about her is that she can be led from another suitable horse or pony whilst being ridden and has done this on many occasions around the farm. It offers far more scope for horseback adventures, which we're sure she would enjoy! We believe she has done some Pony Club rallies as well. The sort of home we are looking for is one where Gypsy will have lots to do teaching young people to ride, but with some experienced help at hand to avoid the dangers of laminitis and to supervise any handling done by youngsters as she can sometimes get a little impatient. If you think Gypsy might be suitable for you please contact us.

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