Age for first pony???

[Lizibet]

Ds has just started learning to ride and dh and I have been considering getting him his own pony to learn on but as he is only 3 we're not sure if he's still a bit young yet.
Dh and I are both experienced horse owners and I'm a sahm and have a horse of my own at the stables so looking after it wont be a problem.

Do you think we should?

[HappyPixie]

Watching with interest!

[Lizibet]

Bump

[Lucisky]

He's very young, but why not, if he is really keen. Could you perhaps have one on loan?

[smu06set]

I bought my DS his first pony at 4, he was probably a tad young but I would do it again!

[Floralnomad]

My eldest started on our Shetland at about 18 months and then we got him a Dartmoor x when he was 6 , he gave up at about 7 and dd , who is 6 years younger rode at riding school at 4/5 ( our pony only any good on a lead rein) and then lost interest before we bought her anything else . We don't sell so aforementioned pony is now 24 ( as is ds) and having a very long luxurious retirement .

[Lizibet]

Thank, this is sounding encouraging

It doesn't seem too likely that he'll loose interest soon as he's been madly in love with my horse since he's been old enough to go see her but it's not too big of a deal if he does as his younger siblings will be old enough to ride in a year or two.

Also what breeds would be suitable? All dh I can think of are Shetlands, which are lovely (even though they're little shits sometimes ) and probably what we're going to get him but I feel like there's something else and it's annoying the hell out of me.

[Floralnomad]

Ours wasn't a full Shetland he was a x , very tiny and lovely . Don't get a Dartmoor , they look cute they are not ! I'd go for Shetland / Shetland mix or Welsh A .

[Frouby]

There are welsh section a's, small welsh b's and dartmoors that are the usual lead rein ponies. Plus part breds.

My dd had her first pony at 18 months old. Ds is 3 and has just taken the ride on dds welsh section a because he is outgrown.

If I didn't already have a small pony I wouldn't buy one for ds. I wish I hadn't for dd. They are too young to ride much, winters are long and hard and even the most dedicated don't want to do stable duties in the cold, wet and dark after school. We went from DIY to full livery when dd was about 6 as it was just sucking the fun out of it for her.

We also have problems selling hence keeping dds pony. Ds might as well ride him as him stand in the field. But it's a ball ache taking small children to ride. DS loves it. But he is a handful on the yard and I have to have eyes up my arse. Even going in to catch his pony can be an issue as I don't allow my smalls in the field with mine and dsis big ones. It's a pain if dpony needs lunging before he gets on as he might not have been worked for a week and I need an assessment lunge of where his head is at. Some jobs are nearly impossible to do with a child under your feet such as bringing in anything other than the quietest of ponies. And as we have liveries I have to watch other people and what they are doing.

If I didn't already have a small pony ds would be having lessons at a local riding school with a view to loaning an older pony when he is about 6 or 7. Then assessing his keeness again at 9 or 10.

Dd is 13 now and we havent replaced the pony she has outgrown as she isnt that bothered. I have a pony we can share when I finally get round to breaking her in but as she starts gcses in September and would rather be shopping with her mates on a weekend.

[yawning801]

What about a share pony? That way, you don't have the full responsibility and if your DS loses interest, you aren't saddled with an extra mouth to feed, if you'll pardon the pun.

Welshies are typically stubborn and Shetlands are evil sometimes, however I used to ride (a long time ago!!) a little 12.2 Shetland x Welsh, who had the best bits of both breeds.

[Butkin1]

DD had her first pony for her 2nd birthday - an older school mistress on loan - and then started on smarter ponies from about 4..

[Whaambulance]

I'd recommend one of the smaller native breeds, sec a, Exmoor or Dartmoor. Shitlands earned that name for a reason! They need extra fencing or they crawl through, are usually prone to laminitis and many farriers hate doing them. Many I have known have had serious attitude, I call them the jack russells of the horse world.

[Scaredycat2016]

Like you, my mum had a horse anyway when I was v little and I was horse mad. She ended up "accidentally" buying me a dartmoor yearling (wild, straight from bodmin Moor) off the meat man at an auction when I was 5. 25 years later I still have him (along with a herd hahaha) and he still believes I'm 5!!
I wouldn't recommend a wild yearling as a first pony 😂 but a pony (on loan or otherwise).... Definitely. Xx

[Baalam]

We had a section a from about 4. Our instructor said she wouldn't teach dd3 if we got a Shetland.

He was ancient and actually a complete bastard but he did teach dd3 to ride very well!!