I think I have found a loan pony for dd1 - help! Feeling worried!

[happyhacker]

We have been keeping an eye out for a year or two and now have found what sounds like a perfect loan pony in the local area.

The owner sounds keen and we are going to visit him at the weekend.

We live in a small village with no land of our own, but we are using a nice paddock in the middle of the village owned by a friend who would like her grandchildren to ride the pony when they come and stay. This means she is not charging us to use the paddock. It has a field shelter but no stable.

I feel anxious about it all - particularly as the paddock isn't ours, and neither will the pony be - it suddenly seems like a LOT of responsibility. Although dd1 is very knowledgeable and competent, and I used to have a pony when younger, I have suddenly forgotten everything I used to know! I think I might go to a local riding school and do some stable management classes. Luckily we have lots of helpful pony-owning friends to call on in times of need.

Help!

A bit about the pony if you were interested: he is 13.2, described as a perfect first pony, very competent but a bit lazy, would rather trot than canter. He is only 6 but has been personally recommended by another friend whose opinion I trust completely. He has hunted and won a 2'6, is very affectionate and easy. A kick along rather than a whizz.

Good luck! Bought my first horse a little over a year ago and it was majorly stressful. So much to worry about! Yes it's a lot of responsibility, but a lot of fun too.

Have you really dug into just how much he has done and who he has done it with? We bought dpony as a 5 year old and it's only with time that we've fully appreciated just how green he was/is and just how much work we've had to put in as a result. Dpony has an amazing termperament/personality which has got us through the difficult times but although I could legitimately say he's hunted, won workers classes etc. with a 9 year old riding it wouldn't reflect that he's still got a lot to learn and that it wouldn't be fair to send him to an inexperienced family.

marialuisa I agree a 6 year old is bound to be green which, as long as he is not nasty, we don't mind. The family who will be loaning it to us live very locally and are very well respected so I expect they will decide whether we are good enough there is a good chance they may think we are too green ourselves.

We don't even have a trailer . It seems like an impossible dream!

AAh, go for it! You only live once!

We did exactly the same thing a few months back,but we bought.Now we are looking for another one,and I am in the process of aquiring a trailer.Our pony is an old girl of 21 though.Have fun!

happyhacker - we bought DD's pony in September last year. He too was 6 and green, but we had him on loan for a few weeks to get to know him. We went into it eyes wide open, knowing he'd need time and patience. DD is so good with him (8 at the time, now 9) and appreciates that he's still a bit of a baby. It makes achievements like jumping their first course of jumps even more special
As for forgetting everything........you may suprise yourself! I rode from age 5-19 had a break until we got DD's pony, and then 2 months later (for my 30th) I got my pony. I thought I had forgotten it all, but with advice on tap (v. helpful yard owner) it's almost like I was never away!
I think the worry will always be there-it's all part of being a responsible person who wants the best for their animals

The description sounds very like a pony of mine, except he's 12.2hh. Although he's six (seven in early spring) he has been out and about at shows since 3 years old (in hand and 'fun' classes) and started jumping at 4 1/2 so he's had three full seasons of summer shows. He's also done PC camp and rallies, done dressage through the winter and summer, done games and trec, is competent at handy pony type things and a decent working hunter too. I think he's more experienced than plenty of 10 year olds I've known. So if you've found one similar he may well be easier than a less experienced 10 year old who's done a couple of shows a year and camp a few times.
I'm sure the stable management stuff will come back to you quickly enough with a few of the lessons you mention (although there's loads of different stuff you'll soon find out about, products wise!) Bet you'll end up with a horse too!

You say that your friend will let you have the paddock if the grandchildren can ride the pony now and again. Are the people who are loaning you the pony happy with this arrangement? you will need to make sure.

I will check with them, they will never ride unsupervised.

Going to see hiim today. Am so excited I could hardly sleep. Dh is very silent and a bit cross although he DID suggest that he could improve the field shelter so he'll come round

I am sure the stable management skills will come back to you in no time, but if you are worried could you keep the pony on DIY livery for a while so that you have other people around to help?

The BHS have a really good loan agreement which you can tailor to your own needs and it's a very good idea to get one done with the owner. It can clarify who is responsible for what costs, what you can and cannot do with the pony, period of notice to return or take back the pony, etc.

Two things to keep in mind with the arrangement you suggest: most ponies/horses need company to be settled and happy. There is always the exception, but keep in mind that the pony may not settle if he is kept on his own. Also, coming into the winter is about the most difficult time to take on a pony. How large is the field? With the rain/snow you may find it difficult to ride him in the field through the winter. Both of which are good reasons to try and keep him in a nice DIY yard with more facilities. Might also be more fun for your DD as she will have other children around to ride with.

oh dear...i have just seen him and fallen in LOVE...really hope we get him as she had loads of enquiries. I have basically begged her for him ...fingers crossed...