12hh pony for 10 year old child?

[Fizzandfun]

Currently looking for pony for daughter who is 10. While she’s happy having lessons in the school, her hacking experience is limited (out of the three stables local to us, non offer true hacking other than a plod along their private lane).

We tried a 13.2hh at the weekend and I felt she was over horsed. She’s slim and although has long legs, doesn’t have a long torso. I’ll add that she’s not the gustiest of riders.

I’ve seen a lovely 12hh native who she could have fun on. I’d feel more comfortable seeing her out hacking on a smaller pony and weight wise there isn’t an issue. She’ll be doing lessons, hacking and low level PC. I accept that she will out grow it sooner than 13.2hh which is fine.

Thing is, I’ve had mixed views from people. I’ve seen her friends have a blast on their smaller ponies, while others say we should go bigger.

Given the type of rider she is, I’m tempted to go small but I don’t want her to be judged at PC or when she’s out and about. I’d love to hear some views. Thanks

 

[exracehorse]

Go with gut feeling. Not what others may say. You may sell on after a year. But better to have a year of fun than being being over horsed as you felt she was on the 13.2 h. And unfortunately ponies ‘are’ bought and sold on quickly as kids grow. Or they were not suitable. Or loss of interest.

 

[humblepie]

In the old days at the local shows the 12.2 jumping was for children 12 and under, 13.2 for children 14 and under and then 14.2 jumping for childern 16 and under, so she would have 3 years on a 12.2 pony (rider's age taken as 1st January). Far too easy to put a child (or indeed adult) off by over horsing them so go with the pony she can have fun with and keep her confidence.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I would buy what suits her as a rider and not worry about her out growing the pony.

My friend has a Welsh A and her 14 yo daughter still rides him she is really slim and really doesn't look that big on him, they bought him as a 2 yo and when she was younger he was a bit too much for her, but now they are both older they do loads together.

 

[mustardsmum]

Buy the pony she needs now. Buy the one she enjoys riding, if she’s not gutsy, buy her a pony that will inspire confidence, not shatter it. You probably could find a nice kind 13.2 that she is happy on now, but she will still outgrow it, because she will reach a point where she’s ready to jump bigger or wants something a bit more wizzy. So rather than worry about height, get something she can manage and you feel will grow her confidence. If she likes the 12.2, and you think it’s a good match, go with your instinct.

 

[HopOnTrot]

I rode my 12.2 until shortly before my 17th birthday, more often than not my legs would knock jumps over!

There is a HUGE variation in 12.2s though, a little show pony type will be quickly outgrown but my daughter's pony is built like a table and will happily carry 9 stone 5ft8 of me!

 

[Fransurrey]

I'd have a look at something like a larger Exmoor (so 12-13hh). She'll take a while to outgrow that (and probably won't!).

 

[DeliaRides]

Buy the pony that is right for her now. My 10yo daughter had a 12.2 and grew out of her in 2.5 years, buy oh my, those years were the making of her, and we never looked back or regretted getting her a 'likely to be soon on the small side' pony. I had a moment when she came off the trailer when I thought 'she's really not that big is she' (it had only been the day before when we went to view/try her!), but it was a moment, and from then on they did everything, and went from trotting over 30am and 40cm at local shows to BRC teams arena eventing over 80cm, placing in the SJ at Trailblazers, several other championships and stay away shows etc. It was just an absolute blast and without a doubt the right decision. Pony has now gone to a fab little 7yo who is affiliating with her. Daughter is now a tall and leggy teen weighing about 3oz and I have her a 14.1 sports pony. People are again saying 'she might grow out of him soon'....and I think, OK fine, but he's right for her now, and that's what I need.

 

[lme]

I think it is more the pony than his or her height that matters. My children all started riding (aged somewhere between 4 and 12) on the same 13:1 and 13:2 ponies and moved onto horses as and when they outgrew them either size wise or in terms of what they wanted to do.

 

[dottylottie]

buy the pony she needs now. i’m 21 and still ride 13hh ponies

 

[maya2008]

My kids will be 11-12 years old when they outgrow their 11.3hh ponies. We're a small family, I'm 5ft4 and my husband is 5ft6.

I've just bought a chunky 12.2hh for my 11 year old son. The finer ponies at that size didn't take up his leg - this one will do so nicely and is perfect. My 13hh New Forest we decided was too big for just now. If she decided to go, he'd have no chance of stopping her. Not that she's prone to that, but horses are animals and have their own minds, so safety first!

If she’ll get more than a summer on it, buy the smaller pony. Nothing beats being able to do everything yourself!

 

[Wishfilly]

Buy her the pony she feels comfortable on now, not the one she may need in 2-3 years time. Yes, you may well end up selling the first pony or loaning it out to someone else eventually, but if you overhorse her now, you'll very likely put her off.

You also have to consider the pony that's in front of you- a wizzy, sharp show pony type may not be the right thing now either!

 

[Chiffy]

I doubt you would be judged by anyone especially the Pony Club who should encourage and help all, especially if you find a native pony, not a spindly leg one!
My younger granddaughter changed ponies in early Autumn before she turned 11, her pony was a12.3 Welsh SecB. She hadn’t outgrown him in size but was beginning to ask for more than he was capable. She now has gone straight onto 14hands and her legs only come halfway down his sides! However she is a feisty confident rider who has ridden all her life.
There are no set rules on size, whatever suits your child for her circumstances. Confidence can be knocked so easily if they are overhorsed.

 

[tda]

Buy the pony she needs now. Buy the one she enjoys riding, if she’s not gutsy, buy her a pony that will inspire confidence, not shatter it. You probably could find a nice kind 13.2 that she is happy on now, but she will still outgrow it, because she will reach a point where she’s ready to jump bigger or wants something a bit more wizzy. So rather than worry about height, get something she can manage and you feel will grow her confidence. If she likes the 12.2, and you think it’s a good match, go with your instinct.

100% this, and also if you can find something native, they take up the leg well

 

[Gloi]

Buy this one and she will gain the confidence to move to a larger one in a year or two.

 

[follysienna]

I agree with the other comments. Buy the pony she can enjoy now. I am in my late 20s and all of mine are under 12.2hh!

 

[Fizzandfun]

That’s pretty unanimous. It’s great to hear about your experiences with your children. Thinking about it, I didn’t progress to a 13.2hh until I was 13! Before that it was little ponies and I remember thinking how big she was then.

Now let’s hope the viewing goes well as I’ve got the vetting lined up

 

[Tarragon]

and of course we will need to see the photos when pony arrives ;-)

 

[Fizzandfun]

Sadly the viewing didn’t go as hoped but at least I’m confident what to look for size wise.

And if anyone is hiding a first ridden for a child who needs a friend to build confidence, please get in touch!

 

[Just got questions]

Currently looking for pony for daughter who is 10. While she’s happy having lessons in the school, her hacking experience is limited (out of the three stables local to us, non offer true hacking other than a plod along their private lane).

We tried a 13.2hh at the weekend and I felt she was over horsed. She’s slim and although has long legs, doesn’t have a long torso. I’ll add that she’s not the gustiest of riders.

I’ve seen a lovely 12hh native who she could have fun on. I’d feel more comfortable seeing her out hacking on a smaller pony and weight wise there isn’t an issue. She’ll be doing lessons, hacking and low level PC. I accept that she will out grow it sooner than 13.2hh which is fine.

Thing is, I’ve had mixed views from people. I’ve seen her friends have a blast on their smaller ponies, while others say we should go bigger.

Given the type of rider she is, I’m tempted to go small but I don’t want her to be judged at PC or when she’s out and about. I’d love to hear some views. Thanks

I’m 16 and I ride a 12.2 welshie because last time I rode out for fun I was on a 16.2 she shouldn’t be judged for riding anything small as the smaller ones can have much more attitude so I would take that into account but don’t over horse her if you both feel 13.2 was too much go smaller no harm in going smaller to ensure her safety even if she looks big on the smaller one as long as she’s the correct weight for it, it doesn’t matter I look big on the Welsh but I’m the correct weight for her so go for whatever size isn’t too much for her

 

[Barklands]

My 10yo still rides her 11.2 section A and tbh she doesn't look big on her - I wish I could still have a blast round on a 12h ponies they are the most fun! I regularly exercised a dartmoor for a friends child until I was 14, if she's slim there won't be a problem especially if it it native and takes up the leg!

 

[nagblagger]

I will go against the grain, buy the one she doesn't get on with, put her off horses for life and you will be so wealthy...

 

[Snow Falcon]

My son was still riding his 13hh at 14. Buy what suits now.

 

[Fizzandfun]

Just an update: we eventually found her a 13.2hh Connie. He’s an older boy who will be with us for the rest of his life. He’s taught her so much already.

He’s finer build so I’m glad we went for 13.2hh as I’m already on the look out for the next size up for 18months time.

 

[HopOnTrot]

So pleased they’re having a blast!

 

[Nonjumper]

I had a 13.2 when I was 10, he was a grey too.

I'm glad your daughter and her pony are having fun together.

 

[Fizzandfun]

He’s such a lovely pony that I’ve taken it back up again! Spending so much time on the ground with him has helped my confidence.

 

[Chiffy]

Great news FF, hope your daughter has lots of fun.

 

[honetpot]

My daughter rode an 11.2 until she was twelve and hunted it. She also had a 14hh, which she rode in a confined space, and I hacked out until she was ready to do more, and she rode that until she was seventeen.
I think you have to chose the best match, not what everyone else thinks is best, and more importanly how your daughter feels.
My youngest daughter rode a 14.2 from the age of eight, she went from the 11.2 to the 14.2, because it was the right pony for her, she felt unsafe on anything smaller.

 

[Lady Jane]

She looks the right size and happy and enjoying him!