Possibly buying first pony. So unsure!

[HayGal]

I've learnt loads from discussion on this board and would love your opinions. DD is 11 and has always been horse mad. She's been back at lessons, both private and group, for a year. Her confidence was shattered by bullying at school and its crept into everything including riding. The weekly lessons are great but its a different horse every week and shes not getting her jumping confidence back. So we started looking for a pony and think we have found one. The pony is 14hh and seems to be the right balance of steady and mature and knows what to do but needs the rider to tell him what to do. Problem is she'll probably outgrow him quickly. So do we take the chance and see it as an investment. Or do we keep going with weekly lessons. There are lots of younger going forward ponies around but the older but not too old ponies are harder to find.

Ugh sorry that was an info dump.

Deep breadth and will go for it. Gut feeling is its the right thing to do for DD, realise it has its risks but everything does. Let the spending begin 😄

Congratulations @HayGal and to your daughter , do let us know how it goes .

Thanks @tinyspiny. Let the spending begin.

Yay! How exciting for you. There's a risk with everything - but you can't live without taking them, so well done you! Can't wait to hear you've got him home - hoping you'll keep us updated, and will add a pic or two!

Owner is dropping her on Saturday. Now that its real will get the essentials. Bit like our rescue puppies think it will be best to keep it very simple for her and just paddock and stable until hopefully she calls it home.

Yes - 'simple' sounds good, buy things as you go along, as and when you need them. One thing I will say, and this might have been mentioned in previous posts - if so, apologies .... if this is your first pony, you won't have had a need for hay before. Because of the lack of rain in most areas of the UK this summer, stocks of hay are down - i know my own supplier is turning new customers down - he knows he'll have enough trouble supplying his existing customers. With that in mind, don't leave it until you're desperate for hay November/December time, you might have trouble finding any!
Looking forward to seeing photos of your new pony, don't judge her too much in the first few days, she'll take time to settle, but congratulations and good luck!

We have a fantastic second hand equestrian store locally, which is fantastic for getting gear. Super handy having plenty of numnahs and spare rugs without breaking the bank :D

Have you got a companion for her?

Shes arrived! She is being stabled full livery at the riding school to give her and us best start. DD so thrilled shes here.

Thanks to all of you for your happy memories, encouragement, things to think of etc. Really helped last few weeks. The obligatory photo ...

Oh wow - she's beautiful! Wishing you many, many happy years with her! xx

Congratulations! Wishing you many happy years together

Congratulations @HayGal she is absolutely beautiful and take it from me you’ve given your daughter access to the best therapist in the world as nothing is better for your mental health and well being than your own horse / pony .

Just home from the stables. Pony has a lovely temperament and DD is just thriving on owning her. DD is back skipping again, she used skip everywhere and then it stopped but its back again, its lovely. Thank you all, horsey people are the best!

How are you all getting on @HayGal ?

Oh hello @tinyspiny 👋

Going great, its been a huge success and such a good decision. DPony has come home because of an issue outside our control, here for 2 weeks now and DD is transformed. Shes up the yard every morning cleaning out and feeding and brushing and turning out pony. Pony has the most wonderful temperament just right for where DD is at with her riding and mentally.

Only thing is the financial side. Dear Me but they are a money sump and I'm glad I had expected it and knew we could afford it.

So what have I as someone who knew nothing about horses learned...
Wait for the right horse. Visit and visit again and visit again to see how horse is with current owner and new rider
Try to turn up early for visits
Try to bring someone who knows horses and you trust their knowledge
Assume you are not getting the full truth about the horse as perfect horses don't exist but if you keep visiting and asking questions you'll get a gut feel for horse and owner
Get full vetting done for peace of mind. Doesn't guarantee there will not be issues but rules out the imminent and expensive problems
Be realistic about costs. You might be responsible for it for 20 years or more and theres recurring costs re shoeing, vaccinations etc
Start in full livery locally to learn from those who know. Ideally continue there but always have plan b.

We still know very little but its been a great ride so far!

Couldn't have done it without the great advice and questions here

I’m so pleased it is working out so well for you all .

Great to hear your update! You do know we need photo of said pony for tax purposes?!

Over the moon for you and your DD but please, please get a companion for the pony ASAP

I'm so happy it's worked out well for you-if you do it right they are such a joy.

I’ve got a lifetime of experience, in all sorts of horses over a wide career ranging from Olympic eventers to racehorses/hunters/stallion work etc. In my humble opinion that pony has the most lovely honest face!

Thank you for your kind message. I just never realised how therapeutic horses are just to be around them. A gentle rub of her face or a hug is so relaxing, any tension just seems to melt. Sounds woo and out there but its lovely and i dont ride. DD has such a close bond with her, someone up thread said DPony would be therapy on tap and she sure is.

Don't forget the Horse and Pony insurance. It is steep, but there is little sympathy in NHS hospitals for the pony owner! Private health is better, but you have to check they will take on a rider.

There is also a third party liability to consider.

Lovely to have pony at home but they really do need other equine company. As you have a farm could you offer livery if getting a companion pony asap isnt an option? You also have to be careful that pony doesn’t develop separation anxiety as will possibly get more attached after a period of being alone and it can be pretty difficult to manage for a novice. Pony looks lovely - very much like ours but we have the gelding version. I notice pony is quite hairy. You may need to look at getting her clipped as a sweaty pony in winter is an issue for a number of reasons

Hello everyone will answer your questions as best I can.
There was an outbreak of a contagious virus in the livery so she had to come home and pending test results shes not infected or carrier before we can go to new livery or get her company. Nearly there because don't want her alone but not put another horse at risk.
Pony hairdresser booked to come as she needs tidying up.
Pony insurance covered via farm insurance. Might need top up for hacks etc but not needed at moment
Hope I've covered everything. Taking care of things as they pop up.

We thought that and bought a donkey. When Lisa was out hacking and got near home the pony started galloping fast. Then the donkey got out and we had to get a friend with a horse box - a lorry actually - because it was so obstinate that even sight of the pony didn't help.

We had to sell her to a donkey derby man.