Advice please for a first time horse owner.

[oftenlurkingrarelyposting]

Please can you help me work through what to do. I have a dd who at 8 years of age has been riding for 18 months and is now a competent rider, starting to Jump etc. I am a lapsed rider but even when active I was happy to hack around the woods, no more than cantering. DD loves to spend her time at the stables, riding twice a week and attending pony club.

Now for the dilemma, she is big for her age and has moved up to riding the larger horses. Woud it be practical to buy a horse that I could ride during the week and she could ride weekends? Or are her developing riding skills and my sedate ones too different?

Any advice/input would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

Have a look at the "choosing a first ridden pony" thread a little further down this page. People gave that OP some opinions on pony sizes etc.

I would suggest that a competent rider of 8 would be riding something around 12 hands to 12.2 hands. Even if big for her age then riding "horses" is not really appropriate for somebody of 8 as they will probably be too big and strong for her to handle for a good while yet.

You could look at buying her something like a small M&M (Welsh B/Dartmoor) etc which you could also ride if you're not too big. Definitely buy what she needs though as buying something big for your own needs could overface her.

Thank you Butkin... I am only 5"2 so that would work. I will do some more research, rest assured I will not enter into this lightly!

Well there are such paragons. After all, lots of families have to share a horse or pony between them. My mum's old horse would take an experienced rider cross-country but if a beginner or child got on he would take great pains to look after them and only go a bit faster if he thought they were ready.
Just not sure how you go about finding one...

my daughters 1st pony at 8yrs was a welsh B 13.1hh she's very fine though I'd say no more than 8 1/2 stone weight wise to ride her (we stuck my 5'7 other daughter on her if she was naughty, she looked silly but was only 8 stone). height wise you would be ok. probably be better with a Dartmoor type or 13hh trad cob, they're lovely, still may be strong for your daughter but for lessons etc should be ok

another thought, would you be on a livery yard? you could consider getting a pony for your daughter and taking on a share for you? then when she's ready you can go out together you'll probably end up buying another anyway its a known hazard

Thanks lovesswimming... More good advice. Yes would be on a livery yard so warming to your second suggestion! I am talking to the yard owner but just wanted different perspectives. Thank you.