buying riding school ponies good idea or bad?

Paddy Irish

Paddy Irish

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hi all ,
went to see a potential purchase yesterday as i'm looking for a confidence giver and all round good egg , I going to chop my hansom big boy for a less intimidating size , I've had large ponies before but only young green ones , I have more confidence if i feel i can get off and lead and then get back on if ness , anyway i went to try a halflinger gelding who has been in a riding school for five years , i rode him out down the road , of course he felt quite ploddy which he's bound to after my ID but was a little nappy at one point , but i'm putting this down to him pre - anticipating my leg aids , and we were on the way back to the school when i turned him away again so i guess it's understandable , after all he is an RDA pony so he's kind of looking after the rider , so after quite a long ramble ( sorry ) is it a wise move to buy a riding school horse/pony or are they too set in their ways and totally conditioned to a life in a sand school . I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Also can anyone recommend a good pony type , good natured breed to restore confidence and start having fun again?
 
I've had an ex riding school pony who was a welsh section d. Absolutley amazing in the school and did everything i asked of her but did not like to hack out alone. She would nap a lot, spin and buck but we got through it and she would hack out sensibly on her own but always preferred company. She was 17 at the time so i would say it's never to late to bring a pony on provided you have the confidence to do so.

My only concern around the one you viewed would be that he napped near his usual enviroment, if you pruchased and moved him somewhere else this may get worse.

My personal perference for good ponies are New Forests as they have a loveley temperment and lots of fun and up to 14.2 and can carry reasonable weight. i currently have a 13.2 NF mare who i broke in 18 months ago and an absolute legend.
 
like anything else there are good and bad points

some riding school horses are only good in the school, can't take them anywhere else!

One that naps in his own environment is not a good idea imho

Also some will only allow novices to ride them, as soon as you start to ask a bit more they object big time.

There is no set 'type' unfortunately, although most coloured cobs are usually good for novice riders

The other mistake novices make is to get a horse that needs a lot of leg to go forward, this is NO GOOD as in trying too hard to make the horse go forward you lose you balance far too easily.

So while you need something that will take everything in its stride, you also don't want to be kicking it to death either

I would ask sellers if horse is suitable for someone to START learning on. That way you have more of a chance of getting it right. Although not always LOL

I know re reading my post there are no answers! sorry but that is the way it is. You keep looking til you find the right one. Take as many people with you as you need and always get a friend to ride first, not just the owner!!

another good one is the Irish cob similar to ID but more cob so less loopy than some high bred ID's
 
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Thanks Kizzy , this boy didn't nap as such , i.e he didn't spin just used his weight to pull himself in his desired direction , but that's the problem some of these cob types can be really strong , I am 5.5ft and 9 .5 stone which is why i seem to be drawn to the chunky types although i'd much rather have clean legged than feathers! I will look into the new forest breed , trouble is being in cornwall there's just nothing around down here...
 
I also own an ex riding school horse - mine was extremely nappy and difficult to hack out to start with and took me a good 6 months to get her out on her own. Ive now had her for 10 years, shes won a National British Dressage title, a Reserve BD title, a lot of prize money, placed everytime out British Dressage, any novice can get on her and shes bred me one fantastic foal (now rising 3 who i still have) and is about to have another foal in April. She was also used for a BYRDs (British Dressage Young Riders Scheme) rider to do training on for 2 years aswell.

You say the horse had a nappy tendancy when you road - unless you are a very capable rider i would not buy a horse that you even thought considered to nap.
 
Suzie86 said:
can you give a bit more detail about what you're looking for and what you want to do with the pony?
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I'm just after something to go out and enjoy the countryside , I had my confidence knocked by a bolting pony ( Fell ). I loaned him out and then sold him to the lady that loaned him which i do regret now as i've got a sand school now and i could have worked towards a solution with him , so now I'm completely over horsed really and i just fancy going back to something older and wiser , may be to do a bit of showing , only local stuff , i guess what i would love if i had a wish list is something that's happy in it's own skin , not too spooky and not too young , maybe something that has been there and done it and is now looking for a quieter life with loads of TLC etc , I have already given a home to two rescue cases ( one RSPCA and one SWEP ) so i know i can offer a 1st class home.
 
I bought 7 months ago a NF 14.1 trekking pony, he is 16. He has trekked all his life.

Good points.
Adorable to be around. Affectionate, amiable with horses, kids, dogs. Jumps, hacks, loves company, goes first/last
Excellent brakes at all times. Little speed demon when he gets going, a real fun ride!

Bad points.
Naps (reversing and 'planting') on own. We can get through it and then he is fine. Its entirely understandable IMO. He is getting better and better as he trusts me.
Stubborn as a mule when he doesnt want to do something/go somewhere. Usually turns into a nap session.
He LOVES routine, as you would expect.
Will school but has no idea about being on the bit, making a nice shape, bending etc. Doesnt lunge without a rider..lol

But...despite all his little issues, he is an absolute 100% confidence giver for an adult rider. I adore him and will have him forever. I love that I can just get on and go, pretty much an uncomplicated little guy. :D
 
Just a warning - my first (completely unsuitable - bucked/ reared/ napped) pony was sold to a riding school where he was brilliant - when the school closed down, he was sold to another girl (he was about 12.2).

Apparently he reverted to being completely unsuitable ( bucking and napping more than rearing) again and ended up back in a riding school - he actually needed the hours of work (conemara cross).
By the way, both riding schools did a mixture of activities - he wasn't only in the sand school and did hack out.

Just bear in mind most riding schools will work their nags more than the average individual owner - and that some horses need more work than others.
 
There are good points and bad points off owning a ex riding school Horse, My share has been out off the riding school for 6 years now.

Good points
  • will adapt to any rider in the school, wether it be complete beginner or experienced she will be as ploddy or as forward as the rider wants
  • she doesn't get excited if there lots of Horse's in the school or out hacking
  • perfect for teaching someone jumping, she knows her job and has taught lots of people to jump

Bad:

  • Terrible napper, needs a very firm and confident rider to hack alone
  • doesn't like being tacked up (I guess all the different people tacking her up made her edgy, but thats just her I think)
  • Can't be alone, either in stable or feild, she needs a constant companion
  • If riding in school with other Horses's she can be nappy and wants to follow the leader
  • Won't hack in front will only follow!

Another thing to be careful with is that riding school Horses are worked approx 2-3 hours a day, if you decrease there work load they might be alot more forward as will have more energy and used to be doing more work.

There are many good confidence givers out there that aren't from riding schools, if you tell us what your after I will have a quick look :)
 
I know of quite a few rs horses I would take home, and would definately buy as long as they werent switched off. Only flaw is consider why they are being sold. If they are that good they usually want to hold on to them!
 
We have an ex-riding school pony for the kids and she came with a few problems. She used to be a ride and drive pony for small adults but she learned in the riding school that it is dead easy to make novice chidlren back off if you threaten to bite or kick, so not the nicest pony to handle. Ridden she is fantastic, bit of a speed demon so you need to be confident enough to sit to her when she gallops when everyone else is cantering. Totally bomb proof, never rears or bucks, a fun ride. But she is petrified to hack on her own and at 25+ I don't think I can change her. There is one route she is happy to hack alone and it gives her about an hours riding every day so I just stick to that. Anywhere else is a misery, she works herself into hysterics and is very agressive and flightly if you try to remount after closing a gate. I love her to bits and I wouldn't get rid of her for the world but I honestly wouldn't take on another like her - its a real pain for me not being able to hack alone. have you tried your local pony club for a suitable pony? We ended up buying a highland youngster to bring on as we fell in love with the breed but I do understand you don't want a youngster.
 
I bought my connie x 14.1hh mare 4/5 weeks ago now and she was a riding school pony and had been for a year or so. She is more of a competition pony, very forward going, LOVES to jump and quite excitable. She naps when hacking alone and in company, but usually only at the end of the farm road. She also likes to throw in a rear or two when hacking alone.

This is the only vice she has - she great in every other way and exactly the horse I would want. If I was to buy another horse, I would consider riding school horses again.
 
OMG you lot , I think you've all successfully put me off this riding school pony and just to reply to NATURALLY the riding school are selling him off cos the RDA only keep them for five years or so ( not sure why but i guess they think they deserve a better life by then - i don't know really ) also they are asking £2500 and at 14yrs i expect they want to make as much money as they can whilst he still middle aged...
 
Does the RDA own the riding school or do the RDA just use the riding school ponies? I never heard of the RDA's who own ponies round my way selling their ponies unless they are no longer able to be ridden, have to go on bute as they can not insure them or they are unfit for purpose.

It sounds like they may be trying to get rid of an unsuitable pony. Price seems high as well for something that hasn't done much unless he's got a history of showing, competeting etc.
 
Kizzy2004 said:
Does the RDA own the riding school or do the RDA just use the riding school ponies? I never heard of the RDA's who own ponies round my way selling their ponies unless they are no longer able to be ridden, have to go on bute as they can not insure them or they are unfit for purpose.

It sounds like they may be trying to get rid of an unsuitable pony. Price seems high as well for something that hasn't done much unless he's got a history of showing, competeting etc.
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Kind of agree with this, the Public Liability Insurance for Riding Schools is V. high, if they have a nice, quiet, safe and sound pony, why would they want to get rid?
If they have a pony that has a few problems and they are worried about accidents and therefore claims and hikes in PLI then that's a different matter!
May be a perfectly good reason for the sale and it may be a perfectly good pony, but think I'd be careful with this one.
 
I agree with Kizzy, RDA ponies have to absolute saints and when they have one that ticks all the boxes it has a home for life! I would be wary. Our ponies are liveried at a riding school and their stock only sells if it is not 100 per cent. Personally, I would got to a good dealer (and there are some around!) or buy a beloved pet that someone can't keep anymore. Our old girl would only have every been sold if I couldn't afford to keep her and feed the kids as well!

BTW, I didn't mean to put you off. I'm not the most confident of riders and i still love d's little 12.2. We didn't buy her either, she was given to us on permanent loan 2 years ago but despite all her quirks there is something about this little mare and we have offered to buy her. When she passes on she will be remembered fondly. Every animal will chuck you the odd curve ball but I would be cautious with an animal that already shows signs of napping.
 
My horse is liveried on a riding school so see a number f comings and goings. If a horse is suited to life in a riding school it wont be sold but there are some good horses/ponies which just dont take to that kind of environment so are sold on, occaissionally the old ones are loaned out for a retirement if they cant cope with the rs workload. Some horses are cut out for rs life some are one owner type horses but that is not to say there is anything wrong with them in the main.

Do your homework, ask other people who go to the RS what the horse is like, and make sure you ride/try it in a variety of situations, get it vetted.
 
LaurenBay said:
Paddy Irish where are you? I will have a look for you if you'd like? I love Horse shopping :)
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Thats the trouble i'm in sunny cornwall , may as well be on the moon cos there's not much down here , also i've got to find a home for my beautiful ID boy which i'll do first as then i'll have money in my sky rocket. Parting with the boy is going to be heart-breaking but his size just intimidates me , hence the reason for going back towards something smaller , cuter , cuddlier!!
 
Kizzy2004 said:
Does the RDA own the riding school or do the RDA just use the riding school ponies? I never heard of the RDA's who own ponies round my way selling their ponies unless they are no longer able to be ridden, have to go on bute as they can not insure them or they are unfit for purpose.

It sounds like they may be trying to get rid of an unsuitable pony. Price seems high as well for something that hasn't done much unless he's got a history of showing, competeting etc.
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I don't actually know if the RDA own the riding school or wether they just use the facilities but the pony is being sold as an RDA pony. I've decided against him , I'll just keep looking.
 
indiat said:
RDA ponies have to absolute saints and when they have one that ticks all the boxes it has a home for life! I would be wary. Our ponies are liveried at a riding school and their stock only sells if it is not 100 per cent.
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But something that is not 100% for a riding school or for RDA may be just fine for one person. If you like him and assume that he isn't going to be "perfect", then he may be ideal for you.
 
Quote:
Originally Posted by indiat
RDA ponies have to absolute saints and when they have one that ticks all the boxes it has a home for life! I would be wary. Our ponies are liveried at a riding school and their stock only sells if it is not 100 per cent.

But something that is not 100% for a riding school or for RDA may be just fine for one person. If you like him and assume that he isn't going to be "perfect", then he may be ideal for you. {Quote}

I didn't say this pony would not be. Our own little pocket rocket and settled much better and is a far quieter, happier pony now she is privatly owned than an RS pony. But too often people buy from RS or an ex RDA animal and assume (or are told) they are the perfect novice horse. Its very often not the case and the reason why they are being sold. If its what the OP wants then they need to excercise caution when buying from an RS. As other posters have said they nearly always nap when on their own and that can be a massive problem for some people. And if some one tells me a stroy that doesn't ring true that would sound warning bells as well - it could be the practice of this RDA branch to sell animals on after five years but I vounteered with the RDA here and in Ireland and its not a practice I have heard of. Again, I could be wrong.
 
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