Bad idea to buy a pony that's too big? Mothers help please!

Abacus

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I went to see a pony today for my two boys, aged 6 and 4. It's a 13.2, really sweet pony, although still green. I could ride it and bring it on, and I think for now they would be ok on the lead rein. I am more concerned about what happens when they start riding off lead rein, will a 13.2 be just too big (and he is young still)?

Or does the size not matter too much as long as the pony is kind and doesn't take advantage? I can't help thinking that whether it's 12.2, 13.2 or 16.2, if it wants to ignore a 6-year old rider, it probably could! I've been looking for a while for the right smaller pony, and there's not a lot around. Thoughts welcome!
 

Orca

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I had a 13.3 cob at 8 and I was tiny. He was kind but did used to bomb off once we hit canter and there was absolutely nothing I could do about it! However, he was an older boy (in his twenties) and despite his love of a good gallop (his paces being walk, trot and flat out :D), over the course of several years, he never once dropped me and never once put me in danger.

13.2 sounds about right to me and the fact that he'd be big enough for you to bring on means that he could be ready for off lead by the time they are and could suit them for years to come. I'm planning similar with my current mare (bought with the intention of becoming a family pony, once broken and ridden on).

It is a risk though. As with mine, he might turn out not to be suitable for that job so it could be time and effort wasted, when an older pony with a proven ridden temperament and experience might be a more reliable choice.
 

be positive

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I am an instructor/ YO and have taught many children of similar age to yours, if the pony was a proven, safe first ridden then even at that height I would consider it BUT it is not proven, it is green and unless you are very experienced in bringing on ponies for children, very different to schooling them for yourself, then I think it is a big step up for such tiny children to ride something that size, yes any pony can ignore a small child but it is more than just a strength issue, it may be wider than ideal for little legs to get round, the paces will be bigger, not always a bad thing but cantering can be very difficult to learn if the pony has a big stride, they will struggle to get on unassisted, will barely be able to reach parts of it from the ground and if you want to go on to do more the pony may not be able to progress with them anyway.

I hate to see tiny children struggling on big ponies, I know first riddens are like hens teeth to find but that is because they are so valuable and desirable they get snapped up often before they are advertised, try a few wanted ads and be proactive rather than just looking in the sale ads.
 

WelshD

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the first pony is so important, its the point which can make or break confidence

I'd not risk it personally, I'd find something smaller and more experienced
 

Abacus

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Thanks so much for the wise words... guess you have confirmed what I was concerned about. He's a lovely pony but just not quite right for the job I want him to do. I'll follow your advice and be more proactive in looking. I'd hate to put them off with a bad / scary / difficult experience, and not fair on a nice pony, either.
 

FfionWinnie

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Yes it's too big. My daughter is competent and taller than some 10yr olds despite being nearly 7, has ridden since 2.5 and my 13.2 is too big even now. She is on an 11.3 and having lots of fun on her. You can't beat bombproof and already made. This pony isn't that and it's also too big.
 

rachk89

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It's not the right one just because of training not with height. I actually never got to ride a Shetland because I was always considered too tall for them even when I was 4 (god knows how). So the first ponies I rode were between 12 and 13hh. That was a riding school environment although if you had seen the instructor you would have been horrified. The ponies were alright just she was nuts.
 

Gloi

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The children need to learn more than just riding the pony so it is better if they have one small enough that they can reach to learn to tack up and groom the pony etc. I think a good height is where the child can see over the pony's back when they are stood next to it.
 

stencilface

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I have a 4yo, currently being brought on 12.3, and mini SF is 2.5 years old. I am hoping by the time the pony is matured and trustworthy (he's very sweet!) in 2-3 years mini SF will only then be ready to be off the lead rein, if indeed she still wants to ride. But I'm not sure I'll be ready in two years to let her off the lead rein!
 

Abacus

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Thanks again for more confirmation that I shouldn't be tempted by a sweet nature! My 6 year old is able to go off lead on an 11.2 that he rides at the moment, just in walk, and with me hovering close. He's a tall boy. I have seen plenty of children his size and younger riding off lead on the right sort of pony. But actually this one would hold him back as he wouldn't be off lead for a lot longer.
 

FfionWinnie

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You want a first ridden then as you will regret anything holding him back lol.

My daughter was cantering and jumping off the LR age 3 on her mini Shetland. She could also mount from the ground herself, which was handy as she fell off every 5 minutes on average ;)
 

Pinkvboots

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I would also agree the pony is a bit big and quite young I think your children may struggle, maybe if the pony was an older been there done it type it could work.

my friend ended up buying a 14.1 for her 8 year old daughter but he was 18 and an absolute Saint and she had had a few smaller ponies on loan which had terrified the child as they has been sharp and she had fallen off countless times, when they tried him they knew he was the right pony as the child could not stop smiling and she said she felt safe, she still has him she is 13 now and is now riding her nans 16.1 sport horse which we thought would never happen as she was so nervous but having that pony has given her so much confidence so it can work but you will need a saint if you go for a bigger model.

good luck in finding the perfect pony.
 

LCH611

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I don't think it is too big as there are advantages to learning to ride on something bigger as it is easier to get rising trot when the knees aren't going like a sewing machine. However you may find that you go back down a size when they are ready to start being a bit independent and want to be able to do things for themselves. It is the lack of proven experience that would concern me more, although a sweet nature is incredibly important
 

Caol Ila

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What is it with everyone on this side of the Atlantic and tiny ponies? I learned to ride as a 5 or 6 year old on 14-15hh Quarter horses, as do most people in the Western US.

If the horse is calm and steady (which this may not be because it's young), then it should be fine. Size matters less than temperament.
 

Merlod

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I would say no problem with the size but the greeness would put me off. My sisters 1st pony was a 13.3 connie x but he was about 15 when we bought him - started off on the lead rein - she looked like a pea on a mountain but he was so safe and looked after her .. we still have him now though he is an old man she never grew out of him only stopped riding due to his retirement.
 

ester

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Small, older and kid proof (by that I mean brushing/around yard etc) a fair few go around doing this job in a number of loan homes in their dotage :).
 

Julia0803

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hmmm... I think probably too big...

Which is ironic coming from me as we bought Dpony and lots of people made ooh... sucking through teeth noises at the time as Ds was 9, almost 10 and Dpony 14.2 cob. However, at that point DS was already 5'2 'and about 5 foot of that was leg! He is now 12, almost 13 and 5'5 with 33' of inside leg (jealous, moi?!?) and it was the right decision as pony had been there and got the t-shirt with his previous owner at PC and knew his job inside out... and me, short stubby mum (no 33' inside leg here I'm afraid!) also rode pony 50% of the time. He has been a huge confidence giver after having his condifdence completely obliterated on sharper loan pony... (our next problem is people making comments he is getting too tall for DPony now- I am sticking my fingers in my ears and singing loudly).

BUT... my main reason for saying this is DS2. DS2 is 6, almost 7, average to a bit above average height (wearing 7-8 clothes). He has ridden saintly pony on several occasions. But always with me hovering close by ready to grab hold of a leg. Because pony is big/wide Ds's legs don't hang and so he doesn't feel anchored, but instead perched. He has done a bit of offlead walk/steering/stopping int he school and a smidgen of trot, but really he isn't interested in riding (or at least not really- he is fond of a good bit of round the word whilst pony stands in his stable etc).

However, new people have recently come onto our yard with their mini pony, must be about 11.2 and fine. DS2 asked to have a go, and the difference has been huge. He has only ridden the pony twice but insists on trotting off lead on his own, doing his own steering etc, because he feels more secure I guess. He has said he loves DPony and likes brushing him and cuddling him, but he doesn't like riding him as too big.

So I would say look for something small to build their confidence on. It is so precious and so easily lost by something not right for them.
 

fatpiggy

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I would also say too big and too young. Boys tend to grow at a much slower rate than girls too. A child trying to manage a bigger pony is less likely to be able to mount unaided, tack up, reach to groom properly etc etc. I hate seeing little children stretched across saddles to such a degree their boots don't actually touch the animals sides, just rub on the bottom of the saddle flaps. I don't have children but have taught plenty and have also noticed that while yes, rising trot is easier to learn on a longer slower stride, sitting trot can be much harder and the rider is invariably behind the movement at all paces. Its also a lot further to fall off! Why not look for a 12.2hh to loan which will keep them busy for a bit, then think about buying say a 14.3 or 15hh when they hit 13 or 14 (provided they have grown steadily). And bear in mind that as their hormones hit you might find they are more interested in girls rather than ponies plus they become like sloths and can't get out of bed before 11am.
 

Limbo1

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Size is not an issue but experience is. I have two 12.2s one is great 22 been there done it, nicely schooled and does not take the mic. My nervy 8 year old rides her on and off the lead reain.
the other is 9 cheeky welsh, he is ok on the lead rein but can be a nappy git off. He has thrown my daughter a couple of times. My 6 year old son rides him on the lead rein, I am there to take pony in hand and my son is very confident.
It has taught me to go for temperament and millage every time, unless you have experienced small people.
 

poiuytrewq

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My daughters first pony was 14.2 she was 5. It kind of worked, certainly fine on the lead rein and usually ok when she started alone. However she really learnt to ride when we dropped down to a 12.2. Then I could see how much better a suitable size pony was!
However I'd not discount a experienced been there done that if it was a bit big!
 
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