Pony price help

[hjrl]

Hello

Very horsey me, four small children, now in market for kids pony. You know the sort, teach them to ride, set off a bomb, lead rein, etc.

I've been out the market for a while whilst having children.

What sort of price are we looking?

I've seen two, one is perfect, but I was surprised at the price. Then I thought about the price of dogs, and everything else and it seems reasonable.

Live on a farm, have other horses, plenty space etc.

I just don't know a rough estimate for a kids pony.

Many thanks 🙏

Will give price but wanted some ideas first

You are searching for what everyone else wants for their kids so this drives prices up.
Around here no-one buys but there is a healthy trade in loan ponies for young kids.

Oh absolutely @twistyizzy and I think because I had children much later, friends are all teens, that I've missed that boat.

What age and size are you after? Bigger usually means more £££ most especially if you're looking at ~14hh as that's mother daughter share/small adult territory which is very popular. Do you want him/her to also do a first ridden job for you or is lead rein only ok? Would you consider an older pony or one with 'special needs' e.g. sweet itch, cosmetic blemishes, stable vices, needs sedation to clip or must it be 100% in all ways? As a very rough guide, for a very sound, bombproof 12.2hh or thereabouts, 7-12 year old first ridden type, not a world beater and not show quality but will do all PC activities I would have thought around £5k. Double that if you want 14hh+, maybe a bit less for a very diddy pony or one that will only do lead rein. You might be able to get a bit of a discount if you compromise on health or age or blemishes as above, or it might be more for a very pretty or well bred pony or one with a good comp record...

Also does depend a bit on where you are in the country (I'm in SE and reckon our prices are quite a bit higher than elsewhere) and also if it's a dealer or private seller. Dealer will add a premium but might be worth it for the chance to return more easily if it doesn't work out. That being said I'd be a bit suspicious of why a genuine PC proven pony would ever end up with a dealer, the good ones get passed on through word of mouth as PP said...

@maxelly this is 12h. Leadrein bomb proof.

No issues. Proper teach on pony.

18 years old.

Shows well, that's not needed for me but registered.

2500?

I have four under four so probably do need the safe as houses at this stage

Yeah doesn't sound too far off if totally sound and good in all ways. Possibly even a bit too cheap, almost makes you a bit suspicious. That sort of family friend pony is part to price up TBF as in a way they're priceless so how do you put a price on it, why is s/he for sale?

Being 18 does limit the value somewhat, realistically you are committing to keeping the pony for life at that age which maybe isn't a problem for you if you have plenty of space but of course is restrictive in a way a 10 year old pony wouldn't be. I wouldn't be tempted to scrimp on the vetting and saddle fitting etc for a kids pony even though you're not spending as much on the outright purchase, in the late teens wear and tear can start to show (although equally they can go on perfectly well into their twenties), but if you need the pony to be a perfect nanny you want to be as sure as you can be there's no physical issues brewing...

That's good to know re price thank you.

Yes of course, no worries re checks etc.

Hmmm the age thing, yes, every horse that comes here never leaves. Ever. It's almost become a joke. Horse paradise then heaven.

Thank you

That sounds like a fair price tbh. If you end up with 4 horse mad dc who all have their own ponies you may have to rethink the keeping all equines forever. Children don’t always suit the same ponies and if you have a fantastic pc pony that has been outgrown it is a bit selfish to stick it in a field doing nothing. We sold our 12.2 as we knew a grandma with 8 grandchildren so knew she would have a job for life with them. Our 13.2 went out on loan till he came back to us to retire.

I think that sounds too cheap, if you don't know the pony, find someone who does.

Have you let the whole world know that you're looking for a pony? Friends of friends on facebook are usually the best way to find something in my experience.

I don't think that sounds too cheap based on the adverts on local sites round here and knowing people who have bought and sold recently. I was surprised by 5k quoted by PP.

I think 5k is for a pony at their peak, obviously an older teenage pony will be cheaper.

I'm in the NW and that sounds about right, due to age. For a similar type but younger I would expect to pay a bit more.

First ridden are like hens teeth, that pony would be more like £8k if younger in some circles. For them to be reliable and well behaved with young children off the lead really puts up the price. There aren't enough to go around although people can be under the impression that a well behaved pony is a basic requirement it isn't and you don't want to be the parent watching your kid get raced around with and fall off. We got our first one from word of mouth for not much but with lots of conditions and we made it really really easy for the owner and I took the risk of supporting that pony in a potentially long retirement/ the heartbreak of loosing them etc. They basically choose us and it wasn't advertised, the pony did sadly die but was exceptional in behaviour and knowing the ropes and we loved her. Next time we couldn't find anything suitable and using all my knowledge and with a more competent but still first ridden daughter I got a green enough youngster who had been ridden by an older child but unproven at games/ first ridden. We put a lot of work in and now massively rate the pony. At the viewings I emphasised temperament and a way of going that did not unseat the child too much. As a 5 year old with about a year's training that pony cost £5k so in our area a top of the game pony would not be £5k you would be very lucky to get one for less than £10k, someone told me ours is probably worth £8.5k at the moment not that we are selling or we would necessarily get that. Hope that helps

Just read again as leadreign. I would try the pony off lead if I had any intention of wanting one who would. I know quite a few ponies that are fine on the lead for the adult but completely unsafe off meaning you would shortly need another. Also try on more than walk to make sure the behaviour is good. I remember a lead shetland who broke into canter on the lead whenever asked to trot. It might make sense financially to buy one expensive first ridden and put it on the lead a bit than one that will only work for on lead

I’ve bought three in the last year 🙈

1. 16.1 , 14 yo thoroughbred. Nice horse . Allrounder. Previously evented . Jack of all trades master of none type. £5000. Wouldn’t call her bombproof as can be a bit bipolar at times, will throw in the occasional buck and nap, but overall a nice laid back type, until she isn’t 😂

2. Bought as a lead rein pony . 16 yo Welsh A . £2500 . Safe as houses on the ground. Lovely on lead rein. Very pretty. Good breeding. Will jump and do clear round on lead rein. Absolute psychopath of a first ridden 😂 . Will do anything she can think of to dispose of her rider unless ridden by someone with exceptional leadership skills, like Putin or Margaret Thatcher. Has definitely taught my 7 year old how to ride and develop balls of steel!

3. From the ridiculous to the sublime. £4000. 5 year old 13. 3hh cob, likely to be 14hh when fully grown. Fantastic conformation. Bit of a show stopper. Professionally broken last year and has an attitude to die for. Is already like a bombproof riding school pony. Probably the safest pony I’ve ever met, despite his age. Takes everything in his stride. Has a sarcoid in groin area 😢Would have been more if it wasn’t for that.

Its really hard / costly in my experience to get a lead rein pony that can make the transition to first ridden. There are so few of them out there and the ones that are don’t ever make it onto the open market.

You can’t put a price on safety. If you are lucky enough to find such a diamond bite the sellers hand off before he or she is snapped up by someone else.
I agree look at longterm loans because those who truly love their pony often don’t want to sell so that they can be 100% confident of the pony’s life especially if ill health requires retirement.
I was lucky enough to find a perfect saint for nervous nellie me and then a second diamond for my novice husband. I never regretted a penny spent on either of them. They were truly priceless.

Also bear in mind that once purchased, a perfect pony costs the same to keep as a nightmare pony.