Best place to find a first ridden share or loan?

[Julia0803]

Any suggestions on the best places to look?

I am currently finding lots of ponies who are suitable for lead rein or 2nd pony but there don't seem to be any ponies suitable for first ridden for a novice child. I'm looking for something 12.2-13.2, safe, kind and sensible for a complete novice 8 year old boy (tall but thin!), who is enthusiastic but a little nervous. To continue to have lessons on, hack, and maybe do the odd local show and eventually pc stuff. But for now, lessons hacking, and being loved and fussed.

I've looked in local tack shops, horse exchange, equine adverts preloved, horse hunter and had a look at PC website.

We did trial a very sweet pony through word of mouth but we decided that again she was more of a lead rein/ 2nd pony as she was rather nappy in the school and a bit too much for my novice son, which was a real shame as she was very sweet to handle and fine when he hacked out.

We're in Hertfordshire if anyone knows anything suitable, or a good palce to look.

Thanks!

 

[Littlelegs]

Word of mouth really. Good first riddens for loan quite often have the next home lined up before they need to be advertised. One I had on loan a few years ago had a permanent waiting list with the next few homes already lined up. I'd also lower the height range a bit. Over 12.2 he may be limited in what classes he can do, even in the most local low level shows. I know you say he's tall but a stocky 12hh will take that up as well as a finer 13hh. And in all honesty, a well built 13.2 imo would have to be an utter saint to bring his riding on as well as a smaller pony he may soon look a bit leggy on.
And maybe try local riding schools too, they may have an older one that needs to slow down a bit. I would contact local yos too incase they know of any.

 

[zoelouisem]

It took me 6 months to find what your looking for a few years ago for my daughter ponies like that are gold dust the pony I loaned was sold after my daughter had finished with him for £4000 he was 12h!!!!
I think you'll just have to be patient and don't rule old oldies or sweet itch ponies or one with slight ailments as I said real first riddens are hard to come across now unless you have lots of pennies to buy one!!

 

[measles]

Gold dust and word of mouth or very expensive I'm afraid. Our younger 8yo son has just got the next pony up from the one you describe and someone has had their name on his saintly m&m first ridden since just after we got him 3 years ago.

A wanted ad on somewhere like horsequest might help? Very best of luck - a good pony will be a delight for your son