Buying rant

PoppyAnderson said:
Poor bugger. Sold at 24 and still expected to keep going.
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It is still happily going or I wouldn’t entertain it. There are many small fit ponies competing well into their 20s, it does them good and they enjoy it.
But - personally I wouldn’t sell one. If this pony comes home with us he’s home for the duration.

Also they are all individuals. We have a lovely 19 year old who is still loving her hunting and low level stuff, but has now said no thank you to 70 and above. All maintenance done, she’s sound she just doesn’t want to do it any more, which I respect. She owes us nothing. She will definitely keep doing full days hunting though as long as she’s enjoying it.
 
Patterdale said:
It is still happily going or I wouldn’t entertain it. There are many small fit ponies competing well into their 20s, it does them good and they enjoy it.
But - personally I wouldn’t sell one. If this pony comes home with us he’s home for the duration.

Also they are all individuals. We have a lovely 19 year old who is still loving her hunting and low level stuff, but has now said no thank you to 70 and above. All maintenance done, she’s sound she just doesn’t want to do it any more, which I respect. She owes us nothing. She will definitely keep doing full days hunting though as long as she’s enjoying it.
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As an aside - when our Shetland started saying no to jumping higher as she aged, we got her checked for arthritis etc, everything came back clear so we put it down to age. About a year later she came down with laminitis - the not wanting to jump big had been the very very early signs of that EMS. Once sorted, she was back to her normal self.

Anyway…I guess the point of the above is that ponies DO go on and on and on, jumping happily. Perhaps a little maintenance as you go but our Shetland is busy teaching another child now on loan, -grey and grizzled and all! Ponies are often ridden less due to school, their riders are light, they go on longer.

I hope the viewing goes well!
 
Patterdale said:
Going to see something TOTALLY outside my comfort zone on Saturday - a JA pony who looks amazing, but is 24. They do go on forever and I personally know two others that age competing happily. But still, 24. We do have room to retire him though and so I think it’s worth a look.
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While he may be “happy” jumping at 24 I would be seriously concerned about the state of his joints if he’s done JA…I would expect him to be for sale for very little and for you to anticipate vet bills from the get go…is he already medicated? I would want to talk to their vet before viewing personally
 
maya2008 said:
As an aside - when our Shetland started saying no to jumping higher as she aged, we got her checked for arthritis etc, everything came back clear so we put it down to age. About a year later she came down with laminitis - the not wanting to jump big had been the very very early signs of that EMS. Once sorted, she was back to her normal self.

Anyway…I guess the point of the above is that ponies DO go on and on and on, jumping happily. Perhaps a little maintenance as you go but our Shetland is busy teaching another child now on loan, -grey and grizzled and all! Ponies are often ridden less due to school, their riders are light, they go on longer.

I hope the viewing goes well!
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Thank you, that is so interesting!! So this pony of ours had a cushings test last year as routine, she was borderline but completely asymptomatic so vet said don’t medicate just observe.
She’s getting retested tomorrow as she’s a bit hairier this year, i was thinking it wasn’t affecting her but maybe it is. Food for thought thank you!
 
Bobthecob15 said:
While he may be “happy” jumping at 24 I would be seriously concerned about the state of his joints if he’s done JA…I would expect him to be for sale for very little and for you to anticipate vet bills from the get go…is he already medicated? I would want to talk to their vet before viewing personally
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Jumping ponies, especially the smaller ones do go on forever. There are many jumping ponies at HOYS jumping well into their twenties.
And far from cheap I've seen top track ponies in their twenties for sale well into 5 figures.
 
I always think for kids ponies, the best way is word of mouth - contacting your local pony clubs is a great one as nice ponies are often sold around between the clubs and usually the DC can vouch for the pony in question too. You can find some seriously nice diamonds in the rough too (ie. ones who could make JA ponies)
 
Bobthecob15 said:
While he may be “happy” jumping at 24 I would be seriously concerned about the state of his joints if he’s done JA…I would expect him to be for sale for very little and for you to anticipate vet bills from the get go…is he already medicated? I would want to talk to their vet before viewing personally
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If its a JA pony still jumping lower levels, you wont be getting it for very little!
 
minesadouble said:
Jumping ponies, especially the smaller ones do go on forever. There are many jumping ponies at HOYS jumping well into their twenties.
And far from cheap I've seen top track ponies in their twenties for sale well into 5 figures.
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I have too but not 24! I just wouldn't want to spend a lot on a horse that age personally, regardless of its history. We have a teenage pony with arthritis that we have had injected with Arthramid, its not a cheap exercise and of course will be an ongoing expense....I'm all for golden oldies but 24 is quite an age to be jumping at that leve...although I think OP did say she wasn't looking for something to compete at JA level, so perhaps a lower level jumping home would suit better anyway. Just as long as your eyes are open to the costs etc! I'm sure you'd vet anyway.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!
 
2 more completely waste of time viewings in the last few days.
The 24 year old was at least a hand bigger than 128 but I suppose back when he was measured they all got under the stick somehow. However he was very wired and hot, far too big and far too much pony.
Second pony was nappy and lame. Also fat, unfit, unclipped and a price tag of £11k.

I am feeling pretty done with the whole thing now!
 
It’s very disheartening but hopefully you’ll find something!! I know a absolutely golden one but she’s too small for you more of a FR and 11hh sadly x
 
I honestly think I’m going to give up for now. I need to find a good small hunting pony for this season now our other one is out of action with a bone chip, then next summer give this child her older sisters good 128, then buy a 138 for the older sister.

The 12.2 crowd just seems impossible to navigate!
 
Patterdale said:
I honestly think I’m going to give up for now. I need to find a good small hunting pony for this season now our other one is out of action with a bone chip, then next summer give this child her older sisters good 128, then buy a 138 for the older sister.

The 12.2 crowd just seems impossible to navigate!
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Not sure where you are but have you tried Julia Martin at Kingshill Equestrian in Bolney Sussex not far from Hickstead.
 
Patterdale said:
I honestly think I’m going to give up for now. I need to find a good small hunting pony for this season now our other one is out of action with a bone chip, then next summer give this child her older sisters good 128, then buy a 138 for the older sister.

The 12.2 crowd just seems impossible to navigate!
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Have you considered a horse finder person? They take a fee but might save you some of the legwork? But yes I don’t blame you! The 12.2 bracket is almost as tricky as the 14.2! 138 should be easier!
 
onemoretime said:
Have you spoken to Jack Thomas Watson. I know the horses he advertises are horses not ponies but he may be able to help you.
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I was going to suggest him too, I nearly viewed a horse with him when I was looking - I know that's not at all the same as being able to vouch for someone you've actually bought from, but he was very straightforward to deal with and truthful about the horse in question. He does get the occasional pony in and he's well linked to the hunting scene so may even be able to find you something. Worth a chat, he is the sort of person who probably will pick up the phone. Anyway it can't hurt.
 
Patterdale said:
2 more completely waste of time viewings in the last few days.
The 24 year old was at least a hand bigger than 128 but I suppose back when he was measured they all got under the stick somehow. However he was very wired and hot, far too big and far too much pony.
Second pony was nappy and lame. Also fat, unfit, unclipped and a price tag of £11k.

I am feeling pretty done with the whole thing now!
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TBH I suspected the 24 year old might be too much pony, I don't know many top class, or former top class BSJA ponies that aren't pretty whizzy, I hoped this one might be the exception.

I think you're going to struggle, there aren't too many 128s happily jumping 80cm tracks in a sedate and sensible manner, and I imagine those that do will be very much sough after with a price tag to match!

There's a lovely sounding older pony on HQ ref 387115, I haven't watched any videos but he sounds super.

It might be worth looking for something advertised as an established WHP as they get marked for style rather than speed.

I really feel your pain though, I looked constantly for 6 months for a 15 hand or 15.2 for my daughter and ended up buying unseen from Ireland!
 
Naming no ads in particular, what I find especially scary about this search is that when a pony crops up that you happen to know to be an absolute **** with an ad stating how lovely it is, you think of all the other lovely sounding ads and wonder what is hiding behind them too.

I really think I’m going to have to stick to my current modus operandii of homemade ponies. It’s slower and harder yes but it does teach the children to appreciate the fruits of their labour, and we will know exactly what we have.

If I stick to my plan of moving small child onto sisters 128 next year, and moving sister onto a 138, I am small enough to start doing that 138 soonish (after Christmas as no time now!). So the search may be ‘off’ for now but if the right thing comes up I will buy. The right thing would be:

13-13.2 (no bigger)
Athletic
Kind
Good looking
Excellent temperament
Not grey
Not a cob
Unstarted or genuinely green. No problem cases!
NO health issues

At least if we start from a good place we have half a chance!
 
Patterdale said:
Naming no ads in particular, what I find especially scary about this search is that when a pony crops up that you happen to know to be an absolute **** with an ad stating how lovely it is, you think of all the other lovely sounding ads and wonder what is hiding behind them too.

I really think I’m going to have to stick to my current modus operandii of homemade ponies. It’s slower and harder yes but it does teach the children to appreciate the fruits of their labour, and we will know exactly what we have.

If I stick to my plan of moving small child onto sisters 128 next year, and moving sister onto a 138, I am small enough to start doing that 138 soonish (after Christmas as no time now!). So the search may be ‘off’ for now but if the right thing comes up I will buy. The right thing would be:

13-13.2 (no bigger)
Athletic
Kind
Good looking
Excellent temperament
Not grey
Not a cob
Unstarted or genuinely green. No problem cases!
NO health issues

At least if we start from a good place we have half a chance!
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Sounds like a nice Welsh Section B would fit the bill. If you're on FB have a look at Debra Wilson, Violetgrange Stud, she's NE based. If you're looking for unstarted I would always buy from a Breeder, you'll usually get a better price and you can usually guarantee no one has started to mess the job up!
 
Patterdale said:
I honestly think I’m going to give up for now. I need to find a good small hunting pony for this season now our other one is out of action with a bone chip, then next summer give this child her older sisters good 128, then buy a 138 for the older sister.

The 12.2 crowd just seems impossible to navigate!
Click to expand...
I do not not know this pony but this girl has had two of mine for schooling and is a good, honest, sensible person.

The advert would seen to tick a lot of your boxes. And she's only in the Scottish borders!

www.facebook.com

1K views · 3 comments | Looking for new home on behalf of clients due to be being very sadly outgrown 👀🏡 12.2 18yo Mare Thistle is the ultimate fun pony, who does everything asked of her. She has done loads of pony club rallies, camps etc. Also done

Looking for new home on behalf of clients due to be being very sadly outgrown 👀🏡 12.2 18yo Mare Thistle is the ultimate fun pony, who does everything asked of her. She has done loads of pony club...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
 
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Sounds like such a ballache - sorry you've had so many fail so far :( Have you had a look at Jo Shaw in Cheshire? She doesn't have any ponies in atm, but often does and probably knows of a few!
 
05jackd said:
I do not not know this pony but this girl has had two of mine for schooling and is a good, honest, sensible person.

The advert would seen to tick a lot of your boxes. And she's only in the Scottish borders!

www.facebook.com

1K views · 3 comments | Looking for new home on behalf of clients due to be being very sadly outgrown 👀🏡 12.2 18yo Mare Thistle is the ultimate fun pony, who does everything asked of her. She has done loads of pony club rallies, camps etc. Also done

Looking for new home on behalf of clients due to be being very sadly outgrown 👀🏡 12.2 18yo Mare Thistle is the ultimate fun pony, who does everything asked of her. She has done loads of pony club...
www.facebook.com www.facebook.com
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That looks like a very sweet pony!
 
In support of the older pony, there was one at our PC when daughter was about 10. He had taught so.e of the instructors to ride. Amazing lead rein, first ridden and for doing your 1st xc or sj attempts on your own. He was mid 30s
There was always a queue of people hoping to be the next loaners. Daughters first loan was a Shetland who only died a couple of years ago. The owners FB page was inundated with people remembering him. He was still working into his 30s.
 
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