Considering buying 12.2hh for DD? What do I need to remember?!

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I've been for a preliminary look at him today, 10 year old Welsh X palomino. Nice action, lovely to handle and not too sharp. DD only 4, so looking for something to gain confidence on, progress to off lead rein, and eventually PC/ hunting with us. It's been a long time since I bought anything. What do I need to think about?!

Pretty boy

IMO 12.2hh is far too big for a 4yo. My 7 yo still looks small to me on her 12.2hh, and my 4yo is plenty happy enough on his 11.1hh. I put the 7yo back down onto the 11.1hh for hunting. You don't want to over horse your child if you are looking to build their confidence.

If you are looking for a pony for your DD to progress and hunt on, I would definitely be wanting evidence that it has already got experience of being ridden by a small child, and of hunting, already. Don't be afraid to ask which Pony Club branches or hunts it is known with - if I were ever to sell mine (I think the 11.1hh will stay with us forever, but the 12.2hh can move along when he is outgrown) I would be happy as a seller to provide contact details for both the PC and hunt.

I agree that 12.2hh seems way too big. If nothing else a 12.2hh that is consistently steady enough for a 4 year old to pootle around on will probably be a dull ride for a competent 9 year old.

That's really interesting that you both think too big. Round here it seems to be the height everyone starts with unless there is a Shetland knocking about... Certainly both DP and I were on similar sized ponies at that age. Food for thought...

I have seen 4yr olds on ponies as big as 14hh, but only in lessons. Where I am, 4yr olds would be on something that is more 8-10(ish)hh (I think). As an 11yr old, I found that a safe and steady 12hh pony was right up my alley. However, it is interesting to see what is being done in different places.

It is interesting indeed... She is currently riding an old 13.2 of ours, often led from one of our horses who are 16.3hh and 17hh respectively, so everything looks little in comparison! At 11 I was on a 14.2, and we have recently sold a 15.2hh showjumper to a family for their 12 year old, so a huge variety around...

My first horse at age 13 was a 16.1 hh ex race horse . My DC started on our Shetland and then we had ( and still have) an 11.1 dartmoor , that was when my ds was 6 , she was plenty big enough .

Another one who thinks the pony is too big for a 4yo and also that you won't be able to find one pony to do everything you want. If you want your DD to ride often at this age you best bet is a very elderly lead rein pony you can drag out for a short walk round the block once a week. Later on she may need a more lively lead-rein/first ridden to learn how to trot, canter and do little cross poles. Then you will need a PC pony to do more competitions with.

If you overhorse her now you risk giving her a scare and putting her off horses. Do you have someone who will ride this 12hh properly until your DD is able to do so herself? I have a 3,5yo and she is perfectly content with a little walk lead rein hack at the RS every few weeks.

Sorry just to add, I do have friends who hunt with their children, I think the youngest to go out was about 6yo on the lead rein, one parent on foot and it took them ages to find the right pony. If you want to hunt with your DC the pony must have a lot of experience of this activity or else they can take a while to train up .

Thank for your comments. Yes we have a couple of older girls who would be schooling for us, and no worries with pony re: experience, as he has hunted and done PC, but is being sold on as outgrown and too sedate for his speed demon jockey! DD rides about 3 times a week now and has a fairly decent rising trot, so not too many worries there. However, having taken comments on board, we have started looking again for something a bit smaller. The main problem around here seems to be that all the little ones are bloody sharp!

The comment about hunting with us was very much in the future BTW, our current horses are either approaching retirement or newly backed, so a good few years off for us I'm sure!

Another to say that 12.2 seems too big for a 4yo - would even be too big for affilitated lead rein classes which stop at 12 hands here.

Our super experienced DD is 11 and has ridden at Hickstead, Hoys etc. She's still riding her 12.2 and has only just progressed to a 13 hander this summer.

I'd put a 4yo on a Welsh Section A - something around 11.2 to 12 hands. That way they can do a bit of everything and still have room to grow. A 12 hander should last them 5 years by which time you can buy something bigger to suit the current needs.

My 5 year old rides a miniature shetland. I think 12.2 would be too big. We will be looking for something a bit bigger next year but itd have to be super fine for her to not be over horsed at 12.2 and even then im not sure.

Excuse the no hat - DD is deaf and she uses cochlear implants, but they fall off when she trots or canters so we periodically take her hat off so she can put her implants on and communicate verbally, practise things at walk and then she puts her hat back on to get going again. Its the only time i get a decent picture cause at the minute i have to follow her round signing doing anything else.