Skip to main content
Skip to main navigation
Skip to talk navigation

Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Saved Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Flip

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

1 2

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

The tack room

Anyone got a 14.2 pony for loan / sale?

31 replies

Mirage · 01/05/2011 20:02

I know it's a long shot,but thought I'd try here first.DD1 is 7.5 and been riding for 3 years now and is very confident.DD2 is nearly 6 and is on the verge of begining to canter/jump.We've held out for years in case riding is a flash in the pan thing,but they are both still as keen as ever after years [&££££ ]of lessons .Dh and I have both ridden in the past and plan to try and find a native 14.2 that can live out and be ridden by all of us.I've looked on Horsemart,which is not good,as I want all of them.

[We are in Leicestershire btw.]

OP posts:

Thanks

Share

Report

olderyetwider · 02/05/2011 10:50

Mirage, I'm sure you've thought about all this, and sorry if I offend you at all, I don't mean to, but are you sure that your children are big enough to ride a 14.2? I don't know how big you and DH are, but if DH has any weight at all it will need to be fairly cobby to carry him, and natives can be quite strong and wide for little legs. Also, my experience was that the transition from riding lessons to own pony is a bit like when you've passed your driving test and start driving by yourself if you see what I mean.

My 14.2 mare, who I bought in Feb, was originally bought by my friend to share with her 8 year old and the pony was just too big for her to do anything other than lead rein on hacks, or ride in the indoor school. It was very demoralising for her daughter.

My GD (tall, nearly 12, ridden since age 4, and very confident) is just outgrowing her 13.3hh fine boned pony who she's had for nearly 2 years, and we're starting to consider what to get next. Logically, it will need to be a 14.2, but we're hanging on as long as possible. She won't be riding my native pony out as she's too strong for her to manage if things went wrong.

Sorry to be a doubter, and tell me to mind my own business, but could you maybe think about a pony for the kids and one for the adults? Possibly loan/share?

Thanks

ManateeEquineOhara · 02/05/2011 13:50

I have a 13hh stocky mini gypsy vanner. She is ridden by us all, but DD (6) who can canter and jump on school horses, is still not really great on her because the mare can be very strong.

However one of the ponies at her lessons is a 13.2hh NF and is great for the kids to ride and stocky enough for an adult - there are ponies out there that can be 'family ponies' but you will probably have to do a lot of looking around. I take it you have enquired at the school where they have lessons?

Thanks

bustersmummy · 02/05/2011 14:04

I really honestly think your kids are going to struggle on a 14'2.

But you're going to tell me to butt out

DD1 is 13 and rides very competently - she can handle a 14'2

DD2 is 9 and also rides very well but she can only just about manage a 13'2.

You also need to think about leg length and control of the pony.

Thanks

marialuisa · 02/05/2011 14:24

Another doubter given your kids' ages. When DD first started lessons in a riding school she was put on a 14.2hh at age 8, fine for walking around a school and trotting to the back of a ride but no good fo real riding. Also, if the kids want to do local shows IME all the under 10s classes only allow ponies up to 13.2hh othewise they'll be against teens/adults. Would wonder if the kid might find the kind of safe pony you wouldhave to buy a bit limiting in a few years?

Thanks

Mirage · 02/05/2011 14:44

Thankyou for the input.Plenty to think about there and a lot of valid points.The dds are going to ride my friend's 14.2 tomorrow,so I'll see how they do.My friend actually suggested a pony this size as her dds are the same age and the whole family rides their pony, but it is a loooong time since I owned a horse so I'm a bit out of the loop now.I'm happy to take any advice at all.Racking my brain and thinking back,I was riding a 13.2 at the age of 11 and I was a tall child-the dds are more petite than I was at their ages.

I wish we could afford 2 ponies/horses,but I think that may be pushing it a bit.Dh and I will just have to wait a while I think.I'll enquire at the school next time we go,and will ask my horsey next door neighbours too.Thank you for making me see sense.

OP posts:

Thanks

bustersmummy · 02/05/2011 14:55

A lot depends on what you want the kids to do though to be fair.

If you get a ploddy 14'2 and are happy to spend hours and hours leading the kids then you'll probably be fine.

I am more of the chuck em on and let em get on with it school of thought and I do not have to walk or run round a fecking arena in the pissing rain and freezing cold in December

Thanks

Mirage · 02/05/2011 21:59

I think a plodder would drive the girls mad with frustration.A friend is looking to loan out her 12.2 pony,but said that she is far too slow for the dds-more of a lead rein pony,which is a shame,as we know her background ect.

I'm a leave them to get on with it person too. In fact,despite the fact that we have grazing available in the next village,I'm going to ask my neighbours if we can rent a field and stable from them,as it is only 2small fields away from our house.That way the dds can walk across the fields to muck out,instead of me having to drive them to the farm every time.

OP posts:

Thanks

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 03/05/2011 10:45

14.2 is way too big. (sorry) I'm 36 and 5'2 and it's too big for me! DD is 12 and still only on 13hh. Overhorsed is ok(ish) in a riding school, but when you have your own pony, it's a whole other ball game. The ratio of crap to good stuff owning your own is far different to in a school. As the pony gets to know you, there are boundaries to be tested, things to learn. Plenty of days where the pony or rider will be having a bad day!
At 7.5 and 6 I'd be putting them on a welsh A type. That's plenty big enough and they are often quite challenging. I know you want to share, but you are asking for trouble. A 7.5 yo will not be able to control 14hh safely.
You have to decide if you want a horse for them or you?! My friend has a 13hh lightweight new forest for sale or loan, but I'm not sure even she wouldn't be too big for them, although she has carried me and friends DH before.

Thanks

elephantpoo · 03/05/2011 11:22

I have to agree with most of the others, I'm afraid.
My original idea when I returned to riding about a year ago was exactly what you've described OP.....a 14hh - 14.2hh for us (myself and DD - 8) to share. However, getting back into the swing of all things horsey again I realised it just wouldn't be do-able. DD now has a 12.2hh Dartmoor who is testing enough for her.....he's 7, but not really done much, so they're learning together. Her riding has come on greatly
I have a 14.1hh pony for me (when I first saw him I pictured him as our share). Now I look at where DD is and what my pony is like and I just can't see what I was thinking of
I can't see DD "riding" him (she may go on him on the lead rein) until mid-teens, purely because he's strong and wide (to accommodate me!)
I hope you reach a decision that suits everybody

Thanks

PlanetEarth · 03/05/2011 12:31

We bought a cobby 14.2 last year for me, DH (who is 6ft) and the kids (then 11 and 12). For the adults he is fine, my older daughter is managing great but my younger daughter sometimes finds him a bit much. If he were totally biddable I think she'd be fine but he isn't.... yet . The kids at the yard who have their own ponies, rather than family shares, mostly have much smaller ones, say 13hh for a 7 year old, or 13.2 for a 10 year old. Not that the little ponies are all easy come to that!

Thanks

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 03/05/2011 12:48

I'd go welsh A. Handleable for 6 and 7yos, often not an easy ride, (prone to nappiness) very whizzy and lots of fun. Dd(smallish 12yo) still fits hers (11.2hh scone pony type) nicely. Ours is quite able to carry 10stone, and they are very easy to come by. Dead cheap to keep, barefoot, live out and survive mainly on grass. you could probably afford to keep one along side a bigger pony for you. My 3 literally cost me the price of the paddock. I used 6 bales of hay all winter!

Thanks

Mirage · 03/05/2011 20:59

I asked my lovely next door neighbours about renting a stable /paddock from them today and they said that they'd be more than happy to.but neighbours say that they are planning on buying a section A pony for showing ect,and was going to ask if the dds would be their jockeys.They have had horses all their lives,but their children and grandchildren have moved away,so they have no one to ride their horses now.They have a lovely set up with stables,paddocks,manege,all a 2 minute walk from our back door and have said that we can use all of it if we wish.Even better they have horseboxes and have said that they'd love to take the girls and any ponies to shows,pony club,hunting,as they go anyway.

I'm really pleased-my family have known them since the year dot,we bought this house from them and they are lovely people who I'd happily entrust the dds to.Horses are their life and they are both very experienced and I think that they are looking forward to teaching the dds what they know.So we are holding off any thoughts of buying for the minute and see what transpires

The dds did ride my friends pony today,it was 13.1 and a little too big really,but dd1 managed very well.She has never ridden outside of a lesson,so it was interesting to see her making her own decisions about what to do,without an instructor telling her.The pony attempted to buck her off at one point,but she was unfazed,sat firm and made her behave herself.

Thanks again for all the advice.I'll keep you posted with what happens ponywise.

OP posts:

Thanks

ManateeEquineOhara · 03/05/2011 21:37

That is exciting news for you Mirage!

And your DD1 sounds like a good little rider - I'm sure she would cope with the character of a section A very well :)

Thanks

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 04/05/2011 08:44

Thanks

olderyetwider · 04/05/2011 09:24

Fantastic news mirage! Keep us posted with how it goes

Thanks

Mirage · 04/05/2011 18:33

Thank you all.Neighbour popped his head over the fence today to say that he has got wind of a nice little pony on loan and will get me the details tonight.

OP posts:

Thanks

Mirage · 05/05/2011 22:25

Well we are going to see a little 12.1 pony on Saturday.Lovely neighbours are coming with us as our 'experts'.He is only a few miles away and a friend says she has come across him at Pony Club in the past and he is great little pony.He is out for loan,but I haven't told the dds that he might be 'theirs' yet in case they get disappointed.We have told them that neighbours are interested in it,but are to big to ride it,so need the dds to try it out for them.Thankfully they have swallowed this line and haven't wondered why our neighbours want a little pony that they can't ride.

When I told my dad,he looked resigned and said I'd never have any money ever again......

OP posts:

Thanks

olderyetwider · 06/05/2011 09:54

Your dad's dead right, mirage, you are embarking on the path to penury, but you will be very happy. I bet you though that you find that horses are a bit like chocolates, and you can't have just one

Thanks

elephantpoo · 06/05/2011 09:59

older - I'll second that!! We bought DD's pony last Sept and now have 2

Thanks

Mirage · 06/05/2011 16:16

I think you are both right.Neighbour says it is the first time in 40 years that there have been no horses or ponies in his fields and is planning on buying a show pony soon.I mentioned to him that DH and I will have to wait a while before we can ride again,and he said his friend wants to loan out a 20 year old 14.2 and he'd fetch it for us if we wanted it and keep it on his land..Oh dear,it is downhill all the way,but we are spending £200 a month on riding lessons atm so we are used to being broke.

OP posts:

Thanks

olderyetwider · 06/05/2011 17:05

Told ya! We've got 3 (only planned to have 1). How will you and DH go for lovely long romantic rides together if you don't get one each!

Thanks

ManateeEquineOhara · 07/05/2011 08:22

Good luck today Mirage :) Do report back!

Thanks

Mirage · 07/05/2011 08:50

Thank you.I'm excited and apprehensive.I think our only falling down point is that the loaner didn't want him to go where there are no other horses and my neighbour's last horse has just gone on loan with a view to sell,so there are none there for the first time ever.Neighour will buy a new pony as soon as loan horse sells,or if loan horse doesn't sell,he comes back,so either way,there will be company,but just not yet.

Must go and get organised-DD2 has a riding lesson between 10-11 and I need to go shopping first.I'll report back asap.

OP posts:

Thanks

Mirage · 07/05/2011 18:48

Well,he was absolutely lovely,a complete little star.We have said that we'd very much like to have him,invited them over to see where he'd live with us and left it with them.Apparently someone else has first refusal,but she can only take him if she can sell her pony,who is 25,and due to pony's age,can't find a buyer.The being on his own thing did come up,but the loaners said they may be able to lend us a mare to keep him company until neighbour can buy a new pony.When we got home,I rang my friend,who has a 1st pony for loan [too slow for the dds] and asked if we could borrow her as a companion temporarily.She said yes,as she can't bring her new pony home until the 1st one goes,so will ring the loaners on Monday and explain that we have got a solution.Phew! I know where the expression 'horsetrading' comes from now.

Cross your fingers for us!

OP posts:

Thanks

ManateeEquineOhara · 08/05/2011 09:31

That is great, I do hope it works out for you, especially as it seems to be falling into place with the companion.
Do your dds know yet that he may be theirs or are you keeping quite until you know for sure?

Thanks

Flip

1 2

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.