Where to find a home for a loan pony?

[krustykittens]

Hi everyone,

I have a lovely little 12.2 lead rein/first ridden pony that is having to come home through no fault of his own (the parents are splitting up and neither can afford to keep him on a single wage). I have tried asking around my horsey circle but no one seems to know anyone looking and I was wondering what would be the best place to advertise him? He is handsome and well-behaved but he can't be turned out with mares as he guards them. Thanks in advance for any help! I am wondering if anyone will take him now that winter is here.

pony club website?

Do you know anyone who teaches locally, maybe someone who teaches at pony club? If I were loaning I would prefer word of mouth to advertising but you could put him on Facebook.

Where in the country are you? Trent Park in North London are always on the lookout for PC-type ponies

Where abouts are you?

It looks like we may have panicked too soon! A local group that does equine therapy are interested in him. The fact that he loves to stand and be cuddled all day makes him ideal so I am hoping they will like him and take him on trial. I was a bit worried about PC because he needs bringing on to be ridden to a decent level off the leading rein - would a family be interested in that?

I only ask because most of the pony club kids around here seem to be on very expensive ponies that come ready made!

Our pony club has rallies just for the lead reins and the demand for a safe lead rein pony is constant.

That is good to hear! He is handsome but not terribly talented. He's not whizzy, he doesn't jump very well but he will be your best friend. He loves to be cuddled and is rather needy. He has followed me up the field when I have tried to leave after checking on them and pushed his head under my arm for more cuddles. I love him to bits but he doesn't have a job here and needs to have a person.

He sounds perfect. Not everybody wants a supercharged pony.

Dd has a loan pony she loves who was lead rein only. He now rides out beautifully for her off the lead. It has taken perseverance from her and a couple of lessons but she has learned loads and has a good bond with him.

She is growing so moving on, to a first ridden pony who will be her friend rather than competition mount. If that makes sense? She loves spending time with them. Cuddles, grooming, hacking out. Few small jumps. Currently no interest in shows or competitions.

Your pony sounds perfect for someone like my dd. I found her ponies by word of mouth. I spoke to local yards (private and schools), pony mum's at the school gate and at one point an advert in the local farmer shop. Pony club tended to be a bit more competitive than she wants, but that might just be a local thing.

Oh god he sounds absolutely adorable @krustykittens

He sounds lovely

Pony club ponies certainly aren't ready made so please don't worry about his ability..they are cheeky, nappy, rein snatchers just mention a few vices
As long as he's safe, he would do a good job. A lot of young members in our PC are in the lead rein so he could be ok.
There's many pages on Facebook that you would get interest from if the other positive lead doesn't work out. Good luck

If the equine therapy place doesn't work out, I might put up an add in the feed store. I would love a home like yours, Tilder, I don't want him to go to a place where they will be forcing him to perform, I think it would just bewilder him. He IS adorable, BalladOfBarryAndFreda, which is why I won't sell him. He had a very hard start to life, I took him on because I felt sorry for him, and it took two years to get him to this stage. I don't want him passed around and I would like him to come back to us to dodder around in his retirement when the time comes.

Sounds like he is lucky to have you.

The other alternative I can think of is RDA. They tend to be very loved and well cared for, safe ponies with low mileage. Long term family homes are tricky to find as small kids grow and move on to bigger ponies.