Advice please - Does anyone have a 4yr old they can do anything with?

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minimex2

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Bit of background, am looking for second type pony/horse to be my daughters (age 14) new best friend. and to take her to next level in RC and PC.

My original brief was 8-10(seen abit of life) safe as houses hacking, travels, doesnt fizz up etc.

Now weve seen a pony that seems to fit the bill but he's only 4 1/2.

Being a nervous mum im thinking walk away, theres the right one out there, etc etc but daughter likes and when tried ticked all the boxes except age.

Can a 4yr old really deal with different situations and be as level headed as an 8-10yr old ????


thanks!
 
We bought a 5 year old for a then 11 year old girl, we were a bit cautious about his age and the fact that he had done so little (backed, hacked, lighted cubbed and trotted over poles) but he had a nice temperament and she seemed to get on with him.

Two years later he has still got a lovely temperament, doesn't get fizzed up and seems fairly level headed, BUT it's not all been plain sailing, she's had to work hard on him and accept that things don't always go to plan with babies. He does get strong at times and has become a bit naughty about jumping recently but we are working on that and he is now improving (think he'd lost his confidence a bit along the way). He's hunted, done PC camp, ODE'S, SJ etc and takes it all in his stride and is a pleasure to do on the ground.

Him being young has taught her a great deal and made her a better rider, if a pony is produced properly in the beginning they are more likely to be less complicated then an older horse that has been there, done that and learnt all the tricks in the book!
 
I would say NO, but there are exceptions of course. The VAST majority are still a bit shell shocked at 4, but come 5 they really test the boundaries.

If she wants to get out competing without putting in 2 years of hard work and heart ache I'd hang fire, unless of course she's a bold little rider and would enjoy brining on a youngster (she'll hit the deck more but it's very satisfying to get results on a home made pony!).

IMO, young confidence is easily lost...
 
My boy was super level-headed as a 4 year old - don't get me wrong he's had his moments, he was actually worse behaved as a 7 year old than he was at 4! But on the whole he's been a total star.

We've had lots of youngsters now and I would always prefer them to the ready made ones.

My niece had a 4 year old Caspian when she was about 10 years old (I think) and though he was a sharp little thing he would have jumped the moon if she'd asked him to - they had a magical bond. She was a very accomplished little rider by then I would add.
 
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Yes if you are lucky. My 4 year old cob has a 24 year head on her shoulders nothing bothers her but I've had her since 2 and walked her out in hand everywhere. Took one week to back and ride away and not looked back since. Can leave her unridden for weeks then just hop on and go. Some 4 year olds are great therefore but I would advise caution and trying out in all situations before making up your mind
 
We brought a 4year old for my sister this year she is 13years old. Like you he ticked all the boxes. We knew what we were taking on and had our own plan with him. Its tough for my sister but she has lots of help. His problems are lack of experience and hes not done anything nasty like some other horses that are older have done.

Its so rewarding when you reach a goal with a younger horse.
 
They can be alright, but I'm aware that mine might have been one of the execptions that proves the rule!

I bought my first horse in the March of her 4 year old year. She was backed but had done very little. She has proven to be totally sane and sensible to ride and has been out and done dressage, showing and we went out on hound exercise this week, she jumps at home and will hack safely alone and in company. She is now 5, and still pretty angelic.

The thing that I would think about is what does your daughter want to do? With a 4 year old she probably isn't going to be able to compete at a decent level straight away and will have to put in the time hacking and schooling. I was fine with that as I couldn't get transport for a while so couldn't compete and was happy to have a quiet year of hacking about and putting some miles on the clock but not everyone would be and rushing a youngster can lead to them chucking their toys out of the pram.
 
Forgot to say that my sister went from taking her other pony out competing to not taking the youngster out we kept her first pony so she could still have some fun as he needed lots of work at home.
 
At that age there is no way he will have had the training of an older horse, so it would be up to you to provide that training. Which in the short term means she wouldn't be progressing up herself. Some 14yr olds & youngsters can make good combinations, others are disasters. Without seeing your daughter & the horse its impossible to say which it would be. Best bet is to ask her instructor & at pc & get their opinion as they will know her capabilities better.
My daughters pony has not long turned 5, she backed her last year when daughter 6 & pony 4. It has been v successful, & pony has done all the usual stuff little girls do with ponies. But riding wise, if daughter hadn't have had access to others to ride too it would have hindered her progress. Although she's done a good job I don't believe you learn both together with a youngster, the rider can only teach what they already know. So when daughter wanting to do bigger & more complex jumps this summer, her pony was only ready to jump small simple courses. Same thing with flatwork, she could only ride pony a step behind her own capabilities. She does have others she can ride though, otherwise I imagine she would have got frustrated, which is worth considering.
 
my 4yo Welsh is the most sensible level headed pony I know.
She has been an absaloute star and is totally bombproof in traffic and situations.
She has done a few shows under saddle & one dressage and jumping show, she has been a pleasure to take out.
She is coming along nicely but I know she is not finished, however, we just take it slowly and she seems keen to learn.
As long as they have been brought up well and started kindly you should be okay. As its to be your daughters 2nd pony and she is 14 im sure your daughter has a good idea what she wants and whats involved. When my daughter was 14 we got a virtually unhandled 5yo broodmare, we backed & brought her on, my daughter did all the riding and was well rewarded with a lovely succesfull pony :)
 
Are you an experienced horse person minimex2? I think if the child has an experienced adult to guide them then all should be well. I bought a just backed 5 year old for my 8 year old daughter, they built up a fab relationship and the pony turned into a brilliant confidence-giving pony club pony, but I was able to spot problems and resolve them before they became issues, so I think it all really depends on the amount of experience you both have, as well as the temperement of the pony.
 
Thanks for your advice so far.....

To answer some of your questions....

Daughter has been riding 9 years and had own pony for nearly 3. He was 6! and we had a few issues along the way. He's a half tonne cob who is by no means ploddy. She has learnt to "ride him" and has never been a passanger. She's is very soft with her hands, will get on everything and is very kind and quiet. Everything they are both now are down to them both. Drama's to me are laughable to her.

Now me..... im a nervous nelly, im best just steering clear (and have been told to!) I watch them do xc through my fingers and holding my breath. I never go faster than a trot and lost my two front teeth from a 6yr old trying it on!

We are part of pc and a big yard so lots of help in hand and im not frightened to ask. Deep down i know she could deal with it, its just being a "mum" its my job to keep her safe and want her to keep her two front teeth x
 
You must also take into account that at four years of age, the pony will not be mature skeletally. Would your daughter be willing to do the level of work that a younger horse can do, or will she want to do more?
 
The age doesn't mean they will automatically be a bulshy nut jobs but it will mean it lacks experience and schooling. With the right temperament they should take all new experiences in their stride BUT you need to be willing and able to give them those new experiences in a sensible manner. There is no way you could just drag it out XC (for example) and hope for the best.

My original brief was... safe as houses hacking, travels, doesnt fizz up etc.

Can a 4yr old really deal with different situations and be as level headed as an 8-10yr old ????
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Yes, they can, easily. However they may well not be able to canter a circle properly, or jump a course of jumps once they get there!

Temperament is hard to alter but schooling and experience is easy to build.
 
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