|
|
Post by cljake on Sept 19, 2011 0:21:19 GMT -5
My friend found this great pony but we are not 100% sure what makes up this pony. Her name is Okapi and she is only 13.1 hands dun pony with an incredible personality. She has so many characteristics of a Kiger but we would like opinions from people with more experience with the breed. I'm not sure if the picture will show all of her features. This is Okapi: ![]() <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/56232710@N02/6161779918/" title="Okapi"><img src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6198/6161779918_ce3b6b7934.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Okapi"></a>[/img] - Okapi is a dun with the dorsal stripe
- Okapi has a very thick multi-colored mane and her tail has the highlights (people pay lots and lots of $$$ for her colors and even thickness of her mane. It's incredible)
- Okapi has the stripes on her front legs (the stripes were the reason behind her name. The are similar to an Okapi's legs)
- Okapi was purchased in Southern California but she came from Utah before her trip to So. Cal.
- Okapi is truly a pony, she is only 13.1 hands and she is about 6 years old.
- Okapi has good confirmation, well balanced, great feet and a great disposition. She is extremely intelligent. She is a quick learner. Just show her once and she gets it.
- Okapi seems to be gaited at times. She is quick and playful. She is quick enough to stay with our AQHA and TB/Paint mares when they are running around in the pasture,
- Okapi's history is a little fuzzy. We just know she came from Utah before So. Cal. We are working with her to reassure her that people can be gentle and loving. She is responding so well.
I've grown up with Quarters, TB and Paints so I feel like a novice when it comes to Mustangs, especially Kigers. We would love to have everyone's opinion on Okapi. Is she a Kiger or  ?? To view her photos check out her photos at: www.flickr.com/photos/56232710@N02/6161244097/www.flickr.com/photos/56232710@N02/6161779892/www.flickr.com/photos/56232710@N02/6161779918/ |
|
|
|
Post by barbhorses on Sept 19, 2011 0:42:20 GMT -5
She reminds me somewhat of an Icelandic pony cross. Does she have a brand?
Icelandic ponies also have the dun color pattern.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 19, 2011 6:48:53 GMT -5
Cute! She does not really have any spanish traits or look like an Icelandic. She appears to be a Welsh pony cross of some sort (hence the hair gene!). She has a head like a Welsh and even the face and expression...
|
|
|
|
Post by fantasykiger on Sept 19, 2011 12:07:33 GMT -5
Okapi is adorable  what a great looking pony. I agree she really looks Welsh, ponys are famous for coming in a array of wonderful colors. Kigers are drawn to people very rarely do you have to convince them people are gentle and loving. Kiger personality has them into everyones business and enjoy human contact. |
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 19, 2011 14:17:35 GMT -5
Tiffany...that's funny - into everyones' business! Truer words never spoken about a Kiger!
|
|
|
|
Post by eolith on Sept 19, 2011 16:12:10 GMT -5
Sorry to carry on this little side track, but I'm curious... does the "into everyone's business" personality typically apply even to those Kigers brought in off of the BLM range? I'm someone who is new to Kigers, but very seriously considering adopting one at the October Kiger Kraze to bring along as a dressage/trail horse.
I love the way these horses look and move, my only concern is whether the Kiger I adopt will be one whose temperament is compatible with what we would like to do with him.
|
|
|
|
Post by cljake on Sept 19, 2011 18:21:03 GMT -5
Okapi may have some Welsh in her but I don't think it's her primary breed. She doesn't have the "thickness" Welsh/Welsh cross ponies have. She is pretty refine but balanced. Her mane makes her look much wider/thicker then she is. Although, she does have the Welsh "Bambi" eyes and lovable Welsh expressions. I did look up Icelandic/Welsh ponies and I did find a couple of pictures with similar confirmation with the signature mane. So, maybe she has a bit of both in her.
Okapi is learning to trust people and she is getting to be a bit of a gossip girl. She wants to know what everyone is doing and she is even picking up tricks from our "Houdini" mare. She is learning to open gates and she is working on opening gates with snaps. Lily our AQHA is shwing her the ropes and Okapi is a fast study.
Okapi came from a horrible home. I don't think she understood that people could be nice. Okapi only knew of spurs and whips. She was so head shy when she arrived but amazingly enough it only took her a few times to learn that she wouldn't be hurt. I love this pony, she is so fantastic and smart. I guess it doesn't matter what she is. It only matters that she is who she is. A smart, fun and loving girl.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 19, 2011 21:17:44 GMT -5
That is too bad about her first home...horses take so much abuse some times; they are so patient with us humans.
Most Kigers have that horsonality but it is more difficult many times with a wild one. It all depends on how they decide to handle domestication. I have had some tough ones and I have had some awesome ones. My Kiger mare, Madonna, had the best sense of humor; I just adored her. Then I had one mare that even after five years, never trusted me or got used to the domestic life. She had one owner before me so I don't know how much was how she was handled after she was adopted first off.
The mare I got at the last adoption is tractable enough but does not really care for "barn life". I just take my time with her and respect who she is and we get along fine.
Keep us updated on your adventures with Okapi...
|
|
|
|
Post by DianneC on Sept 19, 2011 23:12:16 GMT -5
If you want a horse that will be good a specific discipline then I would chose a domestic bred one where you know the temperament and blood line. There are several for sale that would be great candidates for dressage. I know one that has started in training and is doing well.
Darling pony! What about Connemara? I heard that a Spanish ship with horses on board went down just off the coast of Ireland and that's how their ponies ended up with dun factor. Aren't they the ones that are such good jumpers? I remember reading that they would jump the rock walls around gardens at night and the ones that were the best jumpers got the most food, interesting way for mother nature to cull a blood line for a specific trait!
Wikipedia says that arab blood was added in the 18th century, that would give the head shape. I knew a Connemara, he was a pill! He would get a branch laying on the ground and bite off all the side branches, then pick it up and chase the other horses with it! When finished he would put it in his stick pile. LOL
|
|
|
|
Post by lindad on Sept 20, 2011 7:43:34 GMT -5
Cute pony. I would say no to Kiger and to Icelandic. Not Kiger conformation, head or eye, mane not long enough, unless it was cut off and just growing back. Not Icelandic conformation, they are little tanks and very gaited, there would be no doubt once they moved.
|
|
|
|
Post by Michelle Clarke on Sept 20, 2011 8:48:04 GMT -5
Most crossbred gaited horses I've seen have done what I call the "funky thing" before they trot and go diagonal. They almost pace (laterally) for a stride or two, then hit the trot. Not really a smooth transition up. So, good point Linda!
|
|
|
|
Post by kigerrose on Sept 21, 2011 15:35:19 GMT -5
Very cute pony. Now I know what my mares foal may have looked like. The person I got her from bred her to a Welsh stud before I got her. I never got to see the foal. This horse would have come from Washington state originally and about 1999 or 2000.
|
|
?? 
what a great looking pony. I agree she really looks Welsh, ponys are famous for coming in a array of wonderful colors. Kigers are drawn to people very rarely do you have to convince them people are gentle and loving. Kiger personality has them into everyones business and enjoy human contact.
