mystiandsunny
Well-Known Member
My son is 4 and is trotting round the woods happily off lead on a friend's pony. Cantering on the lunge also and steering independently in walk and trot in the school (on lead-rein pony who likes to go the wrong way ad ignore the rider if possible!) and field (on my saintly 13.2hh who listens nicely to his weight/leg/hand but is too big to do much on as falling off would be very bad!!). He has been riding for a year now and rides 3 times a week. I need to start looking for something to buy but I can't seem to find what I am looking for. Need a small pony who listens to the rider well in an enclosed space, but will ride-and-lead for hacking etc as needed.
Is it possible to find a tiny pony that is a good first ridden? Are they advertised somewhere special? I don't want a lead rein pony that hates being ridden off lead. I also don't want a 12hh! Would like my son to be able to have fun and play while being relatively near to the ground if he does something silly and loses his balance. Obviously I am hoping that won't happen (and his balance is very good) but better safe than sorry!
Also, there are lots of young ponies advertised as being very good, looking after their riders etc. Really? Or are tiny ponies bred to be more placid than the average? Our perfect pony was so naughty as a 5 year old - maturity did wonderful things for her!
Really don't want to make a mistake and get something unsuitable. Long ago I decided to always buy unbacked babies for myself as it is far easier and more pleasant than trying to fix other people's mistakes! Can't really do that for a child's pony though .
Is it possible to find a tiny pony that is a good first ridden? Are they advertised somewhere special? I don't want a lead rein pony that hates being ridden off lead. I also don't want a 12hh! Would like my son to be able to have fun and play while being relatively near to the ground if he does something silly and loses his balance. Obviously I am hoping that won't happen (and his balance is very good) but better safe than sorry!
Also, there are lots of young ponies advertised as being very good, looking after their riders etc. Really? Or are tiny ponies bred to be more placid than the average? Our perfect pony was so naughty as a 5 year old - maturity did wonderful things for her!
Really don't want to make a mistake and get something unsuitable. Long ago I decided to always buy unbacked babies for myself as it is far easier and more pleasant than trying to fix other people's mistakes! Can't really do that for a child's pony though .