What would you do.....?

[elephantpoo]

Hopefully this won't sound too complicated-don't want to lose you if you've come this far ........
DD (8 1/2) currently has a 12.2 Dartmoor who she is doing very well with. I'm very aware that, due to her being quite tall for her age, he isn't going to last her for more than 1-2 years.
My Dpony was used as a stallion by his previous owner and then gelded and I bought him. I've broken him myself and he's been an absolute super star (see riding log for what he's been up to) I've seen on his old owners website a 2 year old filly sired by Dpony, who appears to have his laid back / soft nature and loves attention. She is to mature to 13.2 / 14 hh and is out of a good sized Dartmoor mare.
So, my thoughts are...
We buy her and next year I back her and bring her on over the summer, with DD (then 9 1/2) getting involved whenever possible.
Then the following year DD "takes the reins" if filly is what I hope she will be.
DD would have Datrmoor until filly is ready (2 years time)
Any thoughts appreciated. Is this do-able? Am I dreaming?

I would want to see the filly and figure out her temperament before making any decisions. But sounds like it could work. Does the fully look like your gorgeous boy?!

I think you need to look at getting something bigger. There isn't much difference between 12.2hh and 14hh, especially if your DD is going to be tall. The Dartmoor will suit her for a while - they are built to carry weight so that won't be a problem. When she is too tall get a 15hh or bigger for her. Also, what happens if the filly only makes 12.2hh?

This may be asking the obvious but do you have experience of backing and bringing on young horses? If yes, then I don't see why you can't take a risk if you like the filly. If she doesn't grow to the required height she will, hopefully, be a useful pony for a smaller child that you can sell on.

If you don't have experience of backing and producing a child's pony I would be weary of doing so. At the very least you would need professional help, good facilities, nerves of steel and loads and loads of patience...at the end of which it may have just been easier to buy what you needed in the first place.

I agree with BOO, only if you have experience.
I disagree with Callisto, there is a world of difference between 12.2 and 14hh. Its very easy to overhorse children, all it takes is one mishap, and their confidence is shattered. Id not be putting a child on a 15hh. For a start, if it decided to tank off, she would never stop it, and if she wants to compete, 15hh is a horse, and could well exclude her.
Im planning on buying a foal/yearling (probably New Forest) for DD12 (small but surprisingly leggy). she will be older, bigger, stronger and more knowledgeable by the time its to be broken, she has been helping back pony youngsters for a while, and will have suitable assistance/help. The youngster will only be up to 14hh though, most natives are well able to carry adults, and 14hh is plenty big enough.

I'm with Saggy on this. Our DD is exactly same age as you (and she is tallest in her class) and has 11.2 (too small for her but doing PC for this Summer) and 12.2 Sec B (still a bit big for her but getting on well doing First Ridden show classes). We also own a 14.1 connemara and she will eventually be DDs but a totally different beast - not only far too big at the moment but too strong and green (she is only 7 and they mature late). We expect DD to want to ride her when she is about 11 judging from show jockeys off that age we know. Big ponies take some riding and I'd suggest a 14 hander would be way too much for a few years to come.

I think getting a 2yo filly is probably not ideal. If it was 4 and ready to break I'd say go for it (presuming you can confidentally break in a young horse - we did it no problem) but it will be very young and immature when your DD is looking to crack on and probably compete, jump etc.

I'd be looking for something that is going to mature to less than 14 hands at this stage. You can always trade up again when your DD is ready.

It depends on the type of pony and the height/build/age of the child. I'm not suggesting putting a child on a horse that is way too big or strong. On the other hand, buying a filly that may only make the height of the pony you already have, when the original pony will be too small by the time the filly is ready seems to be a waste of time, money and effort.

I also don't see the maths working out here. The filly is 2, you're going to back her at 3, turn away to let her grow, bring her back in at 4 to do a bit more, by which time your DD has outgrown the original pony? I don't think that a 4 yo green pony is going to be suitable for a 10 yo child.