I'm looking for a pony and have narrowed it down to two dartmoor mares. Both have different advantages / disadvantages and I can't decide. Any opinions welcome! Can't drag an instructor 5hrs down the country to make the decision for me.
Pony is for a 6 year old as first (lead rein) pony, especially when hacking out. DD confident with animals in a quiet way (been commented on positively) - will still be going to riding school using their ponies, but which has an active pony club (bring your own or borrow).
Both are 6, both have been well handled, and are very good to handle, feet etc. Both have been ridden by young children, both are used to tractors, dogs, sheep, vehicles, good travellers, hacking out on lead rein etc.
Pony 1 - has put on weight as not had a jockey for a bit. A good do-er would describe her well. DD was first child back on in 6 mths, and pony was very calm, but will need reconditioning. Good confirmation - quite a showy little pony. Has done RTW etc with novice kids, used to things flapping in its face etc. Slightly more mischievous, and bit more personality. But is a lead rein pony, or off lead rein with adult walking alongside. She has not been schooled off lead rein as much as pony 2 and will take her cues from the adult arguably more than the child. However lots of ponies from that breeder have progressed with the child, so I suppose there isn't any reason for concern. From a quiet yard, rather like our farm.
Pony 2 - From a bigger yard. Very interested in my DD in a very gently caring way. Seemed to really like her - I got a sense that she would be very, very protective of her. Stood out a mile, compared to other ponies we have viewed on this count. Sounds bonkers I know ...... The only negatives are that she is not quite as good for showing (this is something we want to do), and she is shy (I like shy, gentle horses, but I'm sure that someone will tell me the potential problems). She is quite calm when a tractor goes past her - but you can see her pause / freeze - and seems to be saying - can we just watch it go by please, tell me to keep going and I will. As soon as you tell her to walk on, she does so without any hesitation. There is no skipping of feet, shaking of the head, doesn't screech to a halt, but takes her lead from the handler / rider. When trotting there was a barely discernable flinch. I have had frisky, jumpy, let's panic ponies when I rode myself - and I'm getting no sense of that from her. She hasn't done round the worlds etc and will flinch very slightly at something very clumsy / unexpected, but is very good off lead rein. No problems with walking past dog in boot of car barking to get out. She is from a quiet line, and they just bring them on gently and give them more time, and they have all gone on to do very well in pony club / showing contexts.
DD will be doing pony club - by memory that can involve riding each others ponies. Fine - but if Pony 2 is very quiet and has become very bonded with DD - she may not take kindly to that. Plus I don't want some bratty kid frightening her, and us getting landed with calming her back down again. Any advice on this front? I don't know what pony club does nowadays.
DH's suggestion - have both - we will need a companion anyway - and don't let anyone near Pony 2 and risk spoiling it (unless we are sure they are gentle and calm). But while we have the time for 2, I think that is copping out of making a decision, and means DD won't develop as much of a bond with her first pony.
Please be kind! If I had twins, I'd buy them both, and am genuinely torn. In an ideal world - we'd have the loving nature of Pony 2 in the body of Pony 1 - but that isn't going to happen!