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Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

Original poster

opinions needed please

13 replies

elephantpoo · 12/06/2011 08:01

I have been thinking about DD's next pony for some time now and need some advice. Her little Dartmoor is 12.2 and I don't think they're going to be suited for much longer Sad See my profile for a picture..........how long do you give her on him? She's riding short in the picture-her instructor is getting her to ride longer, and as a result her legs are nearly under his belly.
I started a thread asking for advice re. buying a 2 yo filly to bring on for her, but I don't feel I'll have time before she's ready to move on.
Where would you go from here? What size pony would you look at next?
She's a good rider, but only 8 3/4, so I wouldn't want to go too big (and strong) and over horse her / rule her out of kids show classes. But also don't want to be buying something that will only do her for a year or so (we only got DDartmoor in Sept last year!)
Thanks for any input.

OP posts:
LisaD1 · 12/06/2011 10:05

I have an 11yr old who has a 13.2. We also had the pony schooled by a 17yr old lightweight teen who didn't look ridiculous on her. I think I would stick to something under 14.2 if possible.

Having said that we are looking at a 15.1 which she will grow into and I can also ride but we're looking at a horse that has been there/done it and is in early teens so with an established attitude. Her pony is also the same sore, she was 15 when we bought her and has seen/done everything.

Good luck in your search, there are some lovely horses around at the moment.

molliemol · 12/06/2011 12:31

What about a 13.2 section C? A nice gentle one, who will be able to carry her for years. She is very young to move her on to a 14.2. If you go for a section c, at least she will have plenty of riding out of it, and could move onto horses at about 13/14?

ManateeEquineOhara · 12/06/2011 16:06

She could ride him weight wise for much longer, but she would probably be more in proportion to something a bit bigger within a year. I would say about 13.2hh. But I always feel bad on these kind of threads, because my mare is only 13hh, and I am 5'7, so I WOULD say she is fine on him :)

cedmonds · 12/06/2011 21:50

I went onto a 14h2 welsh D at that age and she was far to big and strong !! I spent a whole week at camp being pissed of with and dumped. My DN is 9 and we are looking for a 13h2 for her, we are looking at loan and then if she carries on growing loads we wouldnt have spent loads on a pony for a year.

Saggyoldclothcatpuss · 13/06/2011 13:03

I would say it will do her for a while. Yes her legs are quite long, but she doesn't look silly riding shorter, and her body doesn't tower over him. 12.2 isn't that small. My DD is a smallish 12 and she is just moving up to 13hh. It's not heavy set, but is still a bit of a handful for her. If you are going larger, you definitely need something lighter and quiet. I wouldn't rush though. I'm 5'2 and used to ride DDs 13hh myself. We fit together just fine.

ManateeEquineOhara · 13/06/2011 15:56

EP, let me know if you would be interested in a 13hh cobby type for a 1 year loan.

Original poster
elephantpoo · 13/06/2011 21:05

Thanks everybody. This has been useful.
molliemol and cedmonds - I have a Welsh x who is 14.2 and had planned to share him with DD before I got him, but he's got such a chunky neck, and like you suggest, I think she may find him too much. I think she may be ready for him at 13 / 14.
I'm glad you think he'll last her a bit longer Saggy and Manatee - they're in such a good place at the moment Smile
I'm looking ahead because the price of ponies scares me. A been there and done could set us back a fortune. If I buy a youngster now it may be ready when she is, at less than half the price!
LisaD1 - you're right, there are some lovely ponies out there atm!!!

OP posts:
LisaD1 · 13/06/2011 21:34

I bought an older, been there, done that for DD. Pony was 15 when we got her and sitting in a field as teenage owners had moved onto boys! She was underweight and unfit but her lovely nature shone through. I paid £600 for her with tack and rugs and delivery included.

Took a few months to get her to where she should be weight/fitness wise and she is in fantastic condition now, I have had several offers for her, all over 2k, bit she is definitley not for sale.

Hope you find what you're looking for.

dappleton · 14/06/2011 10:43

I'd agree she looks absolutely fine on him at the moment, if you only bought him last september (and were happy with his size then) I assume she's just had a bit of a growth spurt so it's possible they will be fine togther for a while yet. I wouldn't get a pony much bigger than 13.2hh next, it depends what she likes to do with her riding but if she's still into gymkhana/handy pony type classes then anything bigger might make her feel a bit out of place imo.

Original poster
elephantpoo · 14/06/2011 19:45

Manatee - is it your mare for loan?? Thanks for the offer, but I think we'll keep going with Dartmoor for another year and reassess then x

OP posts:
Original poster
elephantpoo · 14/06/2011 19:48

LisaD1 - sounds like you found a cracker Smile
dappleton - that's a good point about gymkana, etc.

Think we'll stick with Dartmoor for a bit and reassess next year.

OP posts:
olderyetwider · 15/06/2011 09:15

That sounds like a really good decision elephantpoo. You can just relax and enjoy the summer now you've resolved this.

ManateeEquineOhara · 15/06/2011 18:25

Yeah...she is sort of (a committed share at a new yard would be good). I think you have made the right decision sticking with the Dartmoor for now. They are strong little things :)

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