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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

OMG I've told the children we're getting a pony.

37 replies

nomazeena · 06/03/2012 20:57

Sorry nothing to say I just had to share as husband and all my friends have no interest in ponies. Me and my 3 horse mad kids (8, 10 and 12) have seen a pony advertised and we've decided to go and have a look. We would be paying £29 per week for diy livery inc. haylage on yard with indoor and outdoor school and cross country course. We can just about afford it. We are so excited none of us can sleep. I've ridden for years but never had my own. I know its a huge responsibility, am I completely mad!

OP posts:

seeker · 09/03/2012 12:03

And whatever you do, don't impulse buy.

Do as I say, not as I did!

Treblesallround · 09/03/2012 14:07

Sorry to hear that nomazeena. Don't let it get you down, there are loads of nice ponies out there. What are you looking for? If you're looking for something that will suit your youngest at 8 and your eldest at 12 then the search might take a while as they'll probably want different things/sizes etc and you'll need to find a compromise, but you will find just the right pony (or it will find you, they tend to do that)

How about getting all 3 girls to make a list of what they want from the pony, where they are at currently and what they want to do and achieve, then what they could live without. Might help you to narrow down the search a bit

Mirage · 09/03/2012 20:34

Agree that pony was probably not advertised correctly.We've been looking for a first ridden on and off for about 10 months and have seen many that are nothing of the sort,including three that would have been at home in a rodeo,and one that hardly moved at all and seemed on it's last legs.

Callisto · 10/03/2012 12:16

The best first ridden adverts I've come across are the ones where the pony isn't even backed yet.

Mirage · 10/03/2012 19:43

YYCallisto-I had more than 1 person offer me a 'lovely 3 year old' with 'potential'. As if I'd be putting any child at all,never mind a 6 year old on something that young.

Callisto · 11/03/2012 09:48

Nuts isn't it.

Butkin · 11/03/2012 21:31

Nothing wrong with buying a 3 year old with potential to back before they turn 4. Most of the future stars get bought at this age so they can be started in the Autumn/Winter of their 3yo careers.

We bought a 3yo Section A and backed it ourselves (when our DD was 6) and then did really well with it both at shows and pony club at 4 and 5. He has now been sold to people in Guernsey.

This year we've bought a rising 4yo show hunter pony in January and had it professionally backed for us this Spring. Hopefully he'll be starting his showing career in April.

All ponies have to start somewhere and a young pony that hasn't been spoiled is often a great choice so I don't think you can say "any child at all".

Callisto · 12/03/2012 07:59

Yes, I generally agree Butkin, but selling a 3yo as an ideal first ridden is ridiculous.

Mirage · 12/03/2012 15:55

I can see why,in showing homes it is desirable,butI have neither the capabilities or knowledge to back a pony myself,neither would I want to send it away as we like our ponies at home and DD2 needs a pony for every day riding now.DD2 has been riding for a year [every day just about] but is a novice.She needs a pony that has seen tractors,cows,milk tankers ect and doesn't panic, as we ride past these on a daily basis.I have specified in my ads the age and experience of the child we want the pony for,and the activities we do,and also stated that we'd prefer older ponies with experience to keep her confidence up.So I have to wonder at the owners who think such a young green pony would be suitable-it wouldn't be fair on the pony or rider and could well wreck both of their ridden futures.

Original poster

nomazeena · 13/03/2012 20:18

There are people I know who buy young horses to bring on it actually looks like a fun project. Its not for me as I have neither the time or experience.

I may have found our pony! Someone heard we were looking and phoned me. He's already living on the yard and is known to everyone in pony club, he's done it all and is apparently bombproof. The woman who owns the yard said we'd go a long way to find a nicer horse. My only concern is that he is expensive (£3000 with full wardrobe) he's 14.1hh and 14 years old. TBH I would pay over the odds for something I know is safe but is that too much?

OP posts:

Treblesallround · 14/03/2012 08:31

That's about right in my experience, if the pony has a good track record. You pay a premium for safety, experience and a good cv when it comes to kids ponies. Still check him out and get him vetted though. But don't hang around too long, he will sell

Original poster

nomazeena · 14/03/2012 19:49

Yay! thanks trouble, thats what I wanted to hear!

OP posts:

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