can anyone recommend a book on pony care? any tips for a newbie?

[Hatwoman]

we have taken on a half-loan of a pony. dd has been having lessons for 3 years and has done a few of those half-day things where you groom, muck out, etc. I used to ride (many years ago) and am planning to take it up again. We're surrounded by advice - from the pony's owners, from the stable owners, from other owners/riders at the stables and from friends (one of whom owns 3, the other owns 4 - they know their stuff) but I'd like a good book to help us too. The pony is so lovely - and, even though we don't own her and some aspects of her care out of our hands (effectively she's part liveried) I feel hugely responsible - I want to make sure we deserve her, if that makes sense. I want to earn her trust. I look at her and see, on the one hand, an amazing and beautiful animal, but I also see one that is so vulnerable and dependent on the humans around her (including us) to keep her safe, healthy and happy.

The Ponyclub manual gets my vote.Easy to understand and very practical.Have fun!

thanks - I actually ordered a book this morning - but now I'm not even sure which one! We're starting in January and, tbh, I can't wait.

.We did the same thing back in July.DD1 had been riding for 4 years and dd2 for about 6 months when we bought dpony.I rode as a child but hadn't since and it is amazing how it all comes back to you.We rent a private yard,but are surrounded by helpful horsey people,who have been a great support to us,and I've learnt an awful lot in the past few months,it is a steep learning curve though.Luckily ponies are very forgiving,but they learn so fast it is frightening,and they learn bad habits just as fast as good ones.

Part livery sounds good-dpony spends her time working out how to break out of the electric fence and I spend my time fetching her back-at least you will be spared that!

The pony club manual, and their book on the grass kept pony are great.

Another vote for the Pony Club manual. It is excellent.

The Pony Club manual is still the best. I've had horses for 20 years and still consult it often!

Pony Club Manual is a definate - my Mum used it for reference when my sister and I had ponies some 20 years ago - the new edition is just as useful now!

We had an agreement to loan a Shetland from a friend who has too many horses of various sizes. Pony would still live with her but I would cover all costs.

DD so excited and happy. Went on first long hack on leading rein with friend and her daughter last Saturday and took photos to frame and write about for school. (DD is 5.) DD bursting with pride.

Then met friend for lunch today and she told us that she had just sold the pony to someone who wanted several palaminos and offered to take all four.

DD has now stopped crying and is asleep, but just had to tell someone who would understand how we feel.

Unserpent - very for your DD

Unserpent,your poor DD.
We had a similar thing happen in May and my 6 and 7 year old were really upset,so know what it is like.Are you going to keep looking for something else? I consoled my dds by telling them that if we kept looking that meant we got to try out a lot of other ponies,which softened the blow somewhat.