Thoughts on green first pony?

[Tango500]

Long story short, I've been offered a 2year old filly who's around 12.2hh. My DD is only two so there's a good few years training ahead before she can ride. What are your thoughts? Has anyone broken their own first pony? Or am I better keeping her for myself ( if she's big enough) and getting a good old ' been there done that'? Thanks!

If she’s big enough for you and you feel confident to take her on a s do a good job of bringing her on then go for it. For the next three years you’re only really going to be popping your child on a pony for a lead around anyway. Cross the bridge of what pony she would be best with when she’s a few years older and you know if she’s interested/confident etc.

Nothing wrong with seeing how she comes in, especially if you can find a kid to get some miles on her too.

Are you small (and experienced) enough to break in a pony. Do you have access to a small rider in the meantime.
she’ll likely hit 13hh and May be too big for a tiny tot for some time

I'd do it, but only if you are experienced in starting off youngsters and really want a project for yourself ATM, plus are OK with the idea you might put a lot of work in only for her never to make up into the right pony at the right time for your DD.

I've had a fair amount to do with youngsters over the years and always think that 2yo is not the best time to assess what their personality will be like as adults, often they've had very little done with them at that age, aren't in the routine and management they'll be in later and so on, I've seen very sweet quiet ones have horrible teenage phases when they're fully grown and get some hard feed into them (especially true of cobby or draught types where they may not feel their true strength until 5 or 6yo) and equally very naughty boisterous ones settle immensely as soon as they have a job to do - of course yours might end up staying exactly as she is now so hard to say, but it is more of a risk than getting an older been there done it schoolmaster type. And like others say she's probably got a bit of growing yet to do so might end up a bit big for your DD's lead-rein/first ridden but if you have access to other small jockeys who could ride her in the meantime and/or would be OK loaning her out once she's properly started off then fine.

Also of course similar comments apply to your DD, children are just a different form of livestock after all , you won't know if she'll be a pony-mad, wants to do PC and gallop round within 5 mins of being on a pony type or a more cautious happy for a plod around on a lead rein and not much else child, I've managed to have one of each and one in the middle so breeding no clue there! So it's hard to plan what kind of pony you'll need at this stage but again, so long as you'll enjoy the process whatever I'm sure it'll be fine!

What's your experience?

Hey, so I've had horses in my life for 30 years, I used to work at a yard in my teens backing and schooling, and broke my own cob in. So I feel like I have the knowledge and experience, but not done it for a good 15 years!

@maxelly yes, I think I'm prepared for the fact that she may not be suitable for leadrein, or first pony. She may be fine as a second pony and potentially for me if necessary if she's big enough. I'm 5ft5 and around 67kg so I think if she's does go excess of 13.3hh then she should just carry me once matured. 🤗

Personally I don’t think she’ll make 13.3 if she’s 12.2hh at 2. I think she’ll probably finish out at 13.1hh ish from experience!
Producing a pony to be suitable for a beginner is a really hard graft

Remember that beginners who have had their own pony since the age of 2 are very different to beginners who have started at a riding school age 6. They will have gained overall confidence plus a relationship with the animal and sitting on their back regularly(once old enough) will also give the confidence and balance. If you're competent and the pony has a good nature so far it's definitely worth considering. The size would be the main drawback for me - my 9 year old is still a comfortable size in a 12.2 and my leggy 12 year old doesn't look tok ridiculous either. It's going to be a long time til your daughter grows in to something that's likely to mature to 13hh+

I agree, however regardless the pony will still need a quiet enough temperament to deal with things all beginners do regardless of if they are 2, 6, or 62, like balance on their mouths, wobble about, get rising trot wrong etc etc. Several horses just won’t tolerate it.

From experience, you need to buy a pony that matches your child’s size and ability where they are at this particular moment in time. We have had a whole range of different little ponies which have been been the right fit for my kids at one age, but have not been right at another time. Eg, we had a veeeeery steady little pony. Standing still was his best pace. DD still fitted on him, but she wanted to go faster and he did not do fast. Or even get out of walk much! So DS got the steady pony as he was younger and we got a bigger, speedier model for DD. We’ve chopped and changed a few times since then, as DD’s riding developed and she got bigger. I bought a 6 yo for DD at one point, and though he was lovely he took a lot of work to explain things to! It’s a romantic notion to think you can have the same pony for a child from both of them being young. Having said that, DD’s team manager had the same pony from being 6 up to being an international competitor. Sometimes it does work out. But more often a more experienced pony is better.

My first thought was ‘oh god no’, but it seems like I’m in the minority. I definitely agree with the pp who said having a pony for a toddler can be very beneficial. But wouldn’t you rather get the toddler a pony that’s safe for her to be around/sit on right now?

Our son who is 9 won't entertain anything bigger than 12.2. he likes to go fast but he likes to be close to the ground.. so it could be a long time before the pony fits.

If you want to buy the pony for yourself and break it in and see it as a project. But in my experience heavy parental enthusiasm / expectations often puts children off. Our friends with farms, ponies and menages their kids are a bit meh about riding. We don't have any of that and have to drive to stables and our kids are far keener and ride more frequently.

I think it would be a mistake, she's likely going to be too small for you and too big for your child for quite some time. If you want to start one yourself then I think a size that you would be more comfortable riding would be better. A been there done that type is by far the best to give a child confidence too.

I did have an unbroken 14hh. Fell pony that made a great family all rounder, but I'm only 5'1" , so it was no problem schooling etc.
Also easy to underestimate the time you'll need to devote to bringing on while running round after kids!