Please don't let her name fool ya...she was named that because a 3 year old child picked out her name and it has nothing to do with her personality. "Doofie," as she's know to all the kids, is a chubby, adorable pony. She has taught many children how to ride, and knows all the tricks in the book. Doofie is by no means a "push button" pony. But she is a wonderful pony that will teach a child to give exact cues, and mean what they say when asking a horse/pony to do something. She's safe, she's sane, but she WILL be a challenge if a child is unsure about what they are wanting the pony to do. For example, When my oldest son developed an interest in riding horses, I deliberately chose for him to learn to ride on Doofus. I had 2 perfectly wonderful horses that he could have learned to ride on, but I wanted him to know and understand from the start that not all horses will just go with the flow and do what they are supposed to do. And even the best of horses have "moments" where the rider has to be very specific when giving directions. So I had him riding on Doofus for a year and a half before he ever started riding any of the other horses. By learning on Doofus, he learned to steer, give exact cues, and mean what he says when he asks the horse to complete a task. This helped him a lot when he graduated to bigger horses, and came upon an issue on a trail ride. It definitely made him more confident in his skills as a rider, and it made me feel more confidant about putting my son on a large horse and riding down the trail with him. As a Mom, I understand the angst a parent feels when their child begins to ride horses. I wanted him to learn to ride well and be a confidant rider. Doofie taught my son well.
Doofie loads and unloads on a trailer with no issues. She stands tied calmly, stands to be groomed, stands to be bathed, and stands for the farrier or vet without issues. She is currently up to date on all vaccines and has a negative coggins. She is not a "herd bound" pony, and would do well if she is the only equine in the pasture, or if she is one of many. She tends to be low on the pecking order, and is smart enough to avoid confrontation with the more dominant horses.
Doofie is a great little mount for someone who wants to trail ride a lot. She calmly handles trail issues. She will step confidently over fallen logs, or go around them off the trail if asked to. She doesn't crowd other horses on the trail, and has seen a lot when we have spent time trail riding. Deer, dogs, falling branches on windy days, tractors, cows, etc don't bother her at all. However, I would suggest that an adult be around to supervise if you find that you need to ride Doofie around heavy traffic, because she has become frightened by tractor trailers before. So I can not in good conscience say that she is "traffic safe." She will ride along a road with cars passing without freaking out, but has in the past become frightened at a passing tractor trailer that blows it's horn (some people are just jerks!) Doofie will lead the trail ride, be in the middle, or be the last in line without issues. She goes with the flow on trail rides.
Doofie's main issues are this:
1. If a child is not a confident rider and is not insistent about crossing a creek or puddle, they might have a hard time getting Doofie in the water. However, she will cross water if asked and the child means it. (Video of her crossing water without issues below.)
2. Doofie can be "ear shy" if you just grab her ears. I can handle her ears and am willing to show anyone that comes to look at her how to do it so she doesn't panic...however, I do feel the need to mention this quirk about her. If you do it the way I do it, you won't have issues, but if you just grab her ear, she might react badly. Fair warning.
3. Doofie is a chubby pony. She likes to eat ALL DAY, so her new owners will have to be mindful of that. Doofie has not foundered, but I have had to watch her carefully, and at times, I keep her up in a dirt lot or stall so that the risk of foundering is much less. A thick, lush field of grass is NOT where Doofie needs to spend her time.
Doofie will stand quietly and let kids braid her mane and tail. She's never kicked at anyone, never bitten anyone (gently takes treats out of even the smallest hands) and she likes to be hugged and petted on. From the pasture, she is easy to catch. Just stand at the gate and whistle, and she'll come running. Doofie is an "easy keeper." She gets no grain (or a handful every now and then if you would like to give her some) and a small slice of hay in the mornings and evenings during the winter months. She is a thick, stocky pony and is strong enough to carry an adult. Many times, when my son first started riding her, he would become frustrated and tell me that Doofie didn't know how to do what he was asking her to do. So I would have him dismount, I would get on her, and I would make the request, and she would do it. This was how I showed my son that it was him that was unsure of what to do...not the pony. Doing this gave him the confidence he needed and made him determined to get her to listen to him. I would say that any adult, 150 lbs or less can ride her (for short periods of time) to show a child that she will do as asked. Doofie also line drives, so if an adult wants to exercise her, or work on her steering, that is an easy way to do it. I have never hooked her up to a cart, and I have no idea if she's ever pulled one before. Doofie has been to 4H fun shows. She and my son had a lot of fun trying to compete. She is by no means a "gaming pony," but she will calmly and in a fun way let your child have fun with other kids and their horses. She even won my son a few ribbons, which made his day. She stands quietly to be saddled and bridled, and her "ear issues" do not tend to come into play when bridling her or haltering her.
Here are some pictures of Doofie, and some videos. It was never my intention to sell Doofie, so I don't really have many videos of just her doing things on the trail. Most of the videos are of other ponies we have bought, trained and sold...but Doofie was along on those trail rides, and can be seen being ridden.
Doofus being ridden at Star Fort in the summer, while we were training the pinto mare.
Doofus being ridden at Star Fort in the winter, while the other pony, Cotton was being trained. Please Note, Doofus is the pony with the boy with the green coat riding her. Both Doofus and Cotton looked alike.
Doofie walking into a creek. Note that she does not even hesitate. Because Dusty learned how to ask for her cooperation and get it.
Like I said above, there are not any videos that we have done that are dedicated entirely to Doofie. She was usually along on all the trail rides and work done in pastures on the ponies we were selling. Unfortunately, I did not forsee ever selling this pony. She is lovely, sweet, and a great teacher. She is also the ideal "grandkid pony" if you are grandparents that are looking for a low-cost lawnmower that will entertain your grandkids on the weekends. She does great giving "pony rides" to kids on the lead rope, and under proper supervision will teach children how to properly give the correct cues to get her to do what they ask for. Here are some more pictures of Doofie:
Trying their hands at a showmanship class.
Doofie being groomed.
I am offering Doofie for sale for $500.00. Come and try her out. My name is Beth and I can be contacted by calling or texting 941-7506. We are located in the Ninety Six/Greenwood area of South Carolina.
