Books on horse ownership and is a 11.3 big enough ?

[limepickle]

After months and months of lurking (and dreaming), owning/loaning may be becoming a reality 25 years after first desperately wanting one! ( no encouragement needed here .)

Can anyone recommend a book that will act as a refresher on "how to look after your horse". Although I re-started riding a year ago, its a long time since I did any pony-caring, tack cleaning etc, so would like to feel more knowledgable.

Also, I've seen a 11.3hh Dartmoor - would that be about the right size for a 5 amd 7 yr old to learn on ?

Any thoughts and comments greatly appreciated.

11.2 Dartmoor sounds perfect (and will be very cute and cuddly). It's difficult to be prescriptive about height of pony for age of child as there's so much to take into account. GD is just turned 12 and is really miles too leggy and tall, but not too heavy, for her 13.3 (Welsh/Arab), and just right on her new 14.2 Connemara cross. In theory she should be fine on a 13.3, at 12, but she's tall and he's very finely built.

My rule is that she has to be able to ride in a snaffle in all but the most exciting situations, otherwise she is over-horsed and not in control. I can't bear to see ponies over-bitted so too small children can ride them. I think it's a mistake to project too far into the future when buying a pony: get the one that's right for now, and be prepared to replace when outgrown. If you keep the pony fit and well schooled you shouldn't lose money when trading up to a bigger model

olderyetwider - yes he definitely looks cute and cuddly! Have emailed the owner to say that we would consider doing a share(at least to start with)- I guess it depends whether she gets a buyer for him. Not sure how quick ponies sell?!?

limepickle he sounds lovely.Good luck.
The market for ponies is odd at the minute,some are sticking around for a long while,whilst others are snapped up immediately.There does seem to be a lot of small ponies under 7 years old up for sale where we are,and the price is consequently dropping.But experienced,good ponies are always in demand and are holding their prices.The poor things that end up at the horse sales are barely making 40 guineas,if they sell at all.

Woo Hoo ! The dartmoor hasn't been sold and the owner is letting us share him ! The girls went to see him on Tuesday and think he is lovely! We're going again in Saturday for some riding - there is an instructor at the yard so we will see about having lessons with her. I wish I'd got this sorted at the beginning of the hols ! I am thrilled - I think this was the best outcome for us.
Best start reading the pony club book !
Thanks everyone for your words of advice - no doubt I will be back on with your more questions very soon !

Oh brilliant news.I'm really pleased for you all.

I'm amazed at how fast they learn on their 'own' pony.I know exactly what you mean about the holidays,I don't want mine to go back and for the first time ever,they don't want to go back to school either.They are having too much fun.

A dartmoor will be perfect for your kids to learn on. I have grown up with them and still ride and compete on them now (I'm 5ft and 8st and they never struggle), they will benefit so much from just being around the pony on a day to day basis. Enjoy every minute of it!!

Does the pony have a name? it would be very interesting if you could see the registration papers to see what its proper name is.