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The tack room

Discuss horse riding and ownership on our Horse forum.

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Original poster

Part loan - bad idea?

12 replies

Toastandstrawberryjam · 27/11/2013 20:25

My 6 year old DD started riding in the Summer. To say she loves it would be an understatement. She's coming along quite well but we can't afford more than one lesson a week. And it's all the other bits she likes too, grooming and mucking out!

I have seen an advert for a pony about half hour from us for part loan (one day a week). It sounds ideal and cheap too. But I'm wondering what the pitfalls might be. I used to ride as a child so I'm keen to encourage her but not push her.

I used to

OP posts:

dappleton · 28/11/2013 08:10

It could work if the pony is riding-school material. Your daughter has only been riding a few months and is only 6yrs old (so pretty tiny for a larger, bolshy pony), you would need this share pony to be small (prefer under 12hh), quiet, kind and as bomb-proof as a pony can be. It should be used to being handled by young children.
You then need to find out the conditions of the share, exactly what you need to pay for and what they expect you to do (and not to do) - get it in writing. Presumably the one-day will be a week day, so will they expect you to go and look after the pony before school? will you get there in time to do anything useful before it is dark after school?

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 28/11/2013 08:22

No it's for a Sunday and it's a 10h shetland. My only experience of Shetlands is the stroppy one I had as a child but I guess there are nice ones out there. We could see it anytime on the Sunday, groom, ride etc. no other expenses. It seems too good to be true though which is my only concern. My daughter is almost seven but small for her age. I want to let her get more experience but not at the risk of losing her confidence.

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Littlebigbum · 28/11/2013 09:55

Well you have to meet them/pony with an open mind. Find out what is expected of your Dd and you.

LackingEnergy · 28/11/2013 15:20

Would she still have lessons? If not then I wouldn't bother looking to loan until she'd done a lot more with a good riding school and was able to do all the care herself without your input - mainly as that's what my parents and my instructor said would work best. I wasn't allowed a loan pony until I was around 10 and I still had weekly lessons at the riding school putting what I learned there to use with my loan pony

Most riding schools offer pony days where your dd can groom, tack clean, plait, bandage, tack up, feed, muck out ect their assigned pony as well as being able to do a variety of fun ridden games

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 28/11/2013 15:48

Yes she will still have a weekly riding lesson. I'm not knowledgeable enough to drop those yet. She's done a lot of pony days (which she loves but aren't cheap). The plan is to get her a pony when she is 10 if she is still interested.

I just don't want to go see the pony and really like it, if it's a bad decision!

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sadsometimes · 28/11/2013 17:22

10hh is too small to do anything useful with imo, but might be a nice way to introduce her to pony owning (my dd3 is 7.5 and rides a 13.2!)

bluebizzy · 28/11/2013 17:30

My DD (5) has joined Pony Club at a Pony Club centre. For just a few quid more than what I was paying for a weekly lesson she gets to stay for two hours and do the care and all the other stuff with half hour of riding. Maybe you could see if you have a pony club centre near you? You have to get Pony Club membership which is £24 for the year. Maybe another option instead of a part loan?

frenchfancy · 28/11/2013 17:51

I would say it is too much too soon. She has only been riding since the summer. Once she has done a full year then start to look for a loan perhaps.

Winter is not the ideal time to be starting, unless there is an indoor arena. The weather is only going to get worse and there may well be a lot of times when riding isn't possible.

5OBalesofHay · 28/11/2013 21:32

Do it if the owner is supporting (making sure you know what to do, considerate about safety etc) and depends in your confidence, but if when yi

5OBalesofHay · 28/11/2013 21:44

Sorry if when you meet them it feels good then why not? Btw you will be there for about 3 hours each time if riding.

SlowlorisIncognito · 28/11/2013 22:11

It might be worth a look with an open mind. I think there are some nice shetlands out there, but some can also be bitey and difficult. They are often strong for their size too, so your DD might not be able to lead the pony safely by herself.

I would say it would only be a positive experience for your DD if the pony is safe in the stable and to ride. If it is difficult at all in the stable, she will not get to do the bits she enjoys, so it is not worth taking on. At 6, I would say that you would still have to take responsibility for things like picking out feet and tacking up as well as catching and turning out in the field (especially if other, bigger horses/ponies live in the field too).

Make sure you see someone else ride the pony first, before putting your daughter on it, even on the lead rein.

Will you be in sole charge of the pony? If you will be, do you have any knowledge of equine first aid, and would you know when to call the vet?

Original poster

Toastandstrawberryjam · 28/11/2013 23:24

Thanks for all your comments. It's on a private yard, so nowhere indoor to ride it. Which is a consideration at this time of year I know.

I don't know any equine first aid but I'm guessing I could read up on it? My daughter can pick out feet and tack up fairly proficiently on much bigger ponies so if it's nice natured it should be easy.

Would my best bet be to go and see it on my own, so I don't have DD upset if it turns out to be an unwise idea?

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