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Original poster

do any of your babies/toddlers ride??

12 replies

nappyaddict · 18/05/2008 03:42

firstly how old were they when they started? how old were they when they were able to go on the lead rein without being held?

secondly i would like to buy a pony for ds but i know nothing about looking after them and i can't ride myself. is this totally unrealistic?

OP posts:

seeker · 18/05/2008 05:57

Most people (including me) think that they shouldn't start riding properly til 3 - their hips are still too "floppy " (can't think of a better word) until then.

I really wouldn't buy a pony if you don't know anything about them - they are hard work, expensive, a constant source of worry and need huge committment and your ds might hate riding.

Find a nice riding school near you and when he's 3 let him have a few lessons. Only think about having a pony if he absolutely loves riding,really wants one and is old enough to share in the looking after.

oxocube · 18/05/2008 06:50

yes NA, totally unrealisitic . Well, you did ask

oxocube · 18/05/2008 06:50

unrealistic

Threadwworm · 18/05/2008 06:53

Wow, yes, v. unrealistic. I used to ride loads a long time ago. But I wouldn't dream of buying a horse or pony -- masses of money, time, and expertise needed.

Original poster

nappyaddict · 18/05/2008 12:39

he likes riding - he goes on a friends pony.

OP posts:

ConnorTraceptive · 18/05/2008 13:08

stick to lessons - a pony is a massive commitment and expense

seeker · 18/05/2008 17:34

How old is he?

BroccoliSpears · 18/05/2008 17:37

I guess the responsible thing to do would be to learn about ponies, learn about looking after them, help out someone who does have horses and once you have a proper idea of the commitment and work involved, then decide if you want to get one for your ds.

cameroonmama · 18/05/2008 17:43

ds is 4 and just started with his big sister who is 6, still being held but trotting quite happily and enjoying it. But it only holds his interest for 40 mins max. Then he wants to run around and play fighting like many 4 year old boys. You could start with some good lessons, because even if you buy a pony he will still need lessons, then if you and he are both keen, you could see through the stables if they might have a pony to 'rent' perhaps belonging to someone else whose child doesn't/can't ride as often as they would like?

sophiewd · 18/05/2008 17:45

Don't buy a pony until you know what you are doing, we were offered one last year but turned it down, have had horses all my life. They are a massive commitment in both time and money, my sil will testify to this as brought one for each of her sons who hate riding. DD will start lessons when she is old enough and we will take it from there which IMHO is the best way to go. You could have lessons at same time in management, care etc.

CountryGirl2007 · 31/05/2008 16:09

Don't buy a pony unless you are 100% sure how to look after one and your ds is a capable rider. You'd also still need the backup of an experienced rider/instructor until he is old enough to look after the pony himself. (about 12?)

Does he go for proper lessons currently? proper tuition from a BHS approved instructor is essential. You cannot learn to ride just plodding around on a friends pony.

maybe a lesson once a week and then practice what he has learnt on the friends pony during the week if possible?

strawberriesandcream01 · 04/06/2008 17:28

Hi NA, I have a 5yr old and a nearly 2 yr old. How old is your DS? We part loan 2 ponies, one of which is a shetland which my DD1 is just starting to ride but only really walks on lead rein and is just starting rising trot, I haven't even put DD2 on him yet as I still feel she is too young and is abit warey of him. The other pony is for me to ride.

If you have no knowledge about horses then I would strongly suggest against the idea of buying a pony as they are hard work and especially if you don't know how to ride. I would suggest you having lessons and then your son having lessons too. Maybe you are able to help someone with their pony once a week or something to build up your knowledge.

I have to do the ponies 3 times a week, I only go up once a day at the mo as they live out, have to poo pick field, , groom, check over for injuries etc, ride, sweep the yard, the list goes on...... Even that is hard work with 2 children. I have been riding for about 12 years and only just got these 2 ponies, I am still learning to be a better rider and still learning stable management/ care. There is always something new to learn. I have decided when DD2 goes to school or nursery that is the time when I will buy a horse as will have more time but at the moment I just wouldn't have time for a full time horse hence the part loan.

Hope this helps in some way. You really do need some kind of knowledge abour ponies and riding before buying one!

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