Some advice about potentially buying a pony needed

[mumontherun14]

Hi all. I have a horse mad DD who is 11. She has been riding for 4 years and spends every spare minute at the local stables rain, wind snow or shine knee deep in mud mucking out, feeding grooming etc. She absolutely loves it and never complains and spends 2 nights a week at the stables and 2 full days at the weekends. I currently pay for a pony loan for her where she gets to look after 2-3 ponies and rides one of them. She is getting really confident and loves jumping and galloping through the fields. She has started to ask me about the possibility of getting her own.A few people have said to me that for what we pay for the loan each month (£160) it might not be that much more for livery & feed once we've paid the upfront cost of the pony. I have said to her that we'd need to wait another year or so to continue to build up her experience and also speak to the owner at the stables to see if they'd have a suitable pony for sale or to come with us to see one which I know they would no problem. Does anyone have any other advice for things to think about? I am thinking of vets costs, shoes, feed etc and what would happen if we were away on holiday etc but on the plus side we know the stables well and the girls there and I know she would be devoted to the pony and she would get to ride whenever she wanted rather than be governed by the loan. Any tips or questions we need to ask or think about? I think she'd be looking for a pony about 15hh, youngish and with a nice nature that likes to jump. Costs from what I've seen online vary a lot and I am a bit worried I am not experienced enough to buy the right one for her so want to do as much research as we can. Thanks xxx

Hi mrslaughan thanks for that info - all good to digest. I had said previously that on reflection after reading some of the comments she is definitely not ready for her own. Not in terms of her commitment but more in terms of her experience and probably my limited budget at the moment. I do also have some concerns about the stables she is at but she is very happy there but she is going to try another more professional yard once the Strangles clears. The girls who teach her compete in jumping and dressage competitions so are competent riders but I am not 100% on their qualifications. I know at the new yard the teachers would be more qualified but as I said I can't mover her right now. Got lots of good pointers though so thanks! X

My friend was in the same boat, so I costed out my horse on DIY and by the time you factor in livery, showing, hard feed, hay, bedding, worming, shoring or trimming, insurance, pony club (if they want to do it) it was about £350-400 a month (that was based on DIY of £200 a month livery), depends on the area you live. Think £160 for 2-3 days a week is pretty good, as you won't pay if the horse goes wrong, and that would cost a lot more. Hope this helps.