Buying riding school pony

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ypvrhc

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Hi,
I have had a 7 year old 13.2 pony on loan from my local riding school for about a year now. He has still been used in the riding school whilst I have been loaning him. I have fallen in love with his cheeky character and we are a good team now so I am considering buying him and moving him away from the school. The problems with him being that he is almost completely dead in the mouth from being dragged around and ridden by careless people. He also knows every trick in the book as most rs ponies do! My question is do you think it is a good idea to turn him away for a few months whilst I sit my exams so that he can have a breather from the constant work he has been doing? Also does anyone else have any experience of buying from a riding school and if so how did they turn out? I'm 5'2 and between 7 and 8 stone so it also concerns me that perhaps I am a little too big for him. I know there are better ponies out there but I love him so much I just want to give him a forever home where he can have fun and be pampered! Thank you for reading, Jaffa cakes on offer for those who did :D x
 
At 5'2 I would say you are small enough for him anyways. I personally wouldn't turn him away because he will be used to a constant heavyish workload. I would make sure I bought him at a time where over a period of a couple of months (summer holidays?) I could slowly decrease his workload so the sudden change does not affect him as much. :)
 
Personally I wouldn't give him a breather - he'll benefit more from consistent correct riding and handling more than time off.

It's very easy to fall in love with a RS mount - I did, and bought him! - but if you have any doubts, take your time - maybe try a few others for sale to be absolutely sure this is the right horse for you?
 
The main thing to consider is that these ponies are used to up to four hours of work a day. Not always intensive, but when you then cut them down to less hours, they can become a bit of a handful. This isn't the case for all, but I've seen this happen with quite a few.
 
I wouldn't turn him away, he's been used to regular work so it would be ideal to keep him in as much of a work routine as possible. Make sure you get him vetted though, it would be awful for you to buy him and then find he has problems.
 
You would be absolutely fine size-wise. I also wouldn't turn away, as he has been in a busy workload he will need to adapt. Just be aware that riding school ponies can become quite institutionalized as they stay in one place! (not all of them I know, but speaking on behalf of friends who've bought RS ponies) They know their manege, their particular jumps/fillers and the fields they ride in. It can be a culture shock if they start getting taken out to shows and seeing new things! My friend's RS pony struggled a lot with going to different SJ venues and wouldn't jump new fillers he hadn't seen before. He did jump them eventually but it took time! However he would hack and hunt no problem as he did a lot of hacking with the RS :) so just take in to consideration what he;s done and what he may be like out of the riding school! all the best if you decide to buy him :)
 
Don't turn away! They're better kept in regular work and eased off gently if you can- I bought my first (TB x Connie) from a school, she was in a bit of a mess but tried to kill me if I gave her a day off to start with! She did settle, but it took her a good few months before I have her more than a day off at a time ;)
 
Agree with all above, you are definitely not too big for him, although you may outgrow him if you are young?

I used to work in a riding school and we had to close down and sell all the ponies. Lots of new owners either turned them away for a bit, or only rode a couple of times a week. All the ponies had problems in their new homes except one or two. The ponies are used to working up to 4 hours a day. Most of them needed a bit of work to get them out hacking by themselves too as they always used to go out in groups and follow the lead horse. You may want to consider gradually reducing his work load. If you are considering buying him, would they let you take him to some different venues/hacking that he hasn't been before? So you can see what he is like outside of his normal riding school environment, by himself etc?
 
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The problem with buying a RS pony is that you don't see the other half of the story, i.e. exactly HOW much work he's getting in the riding school.

You say he is "cheeky" and "dead in the mouth"; and THAT is on a helluva lot of work that he's getting in the riding school.

So when you take him away from there, into a totally new situation where he's getting a lot lot less work, face the facts, he ain't exactly gonna behave like an angel!!

I bought a cob from a trekking centre: he had a lot of issues, the main one being that he'd never, in all his life, to my knowledge anyway, been anywhere on his own without following the bum ahead.

Be prepared for the fact, that if you want to hack solo on "your" pony when you get him home, you will have all sorts of issues. Plus he might not be traffic-proof on his own without other horses being around. I've known this happen with other horses from riding schools, not just mine.

If you've got a pony who is "cheeky" and "dead to the mouth", AND hasn't had the heavy workload that he's accustomed to, and you then get on his back and think he's gonna be the same lovely boy that you rode at the RS, I've got news for you, coz he won't be, believe me!!

Personally I would give this very serious consideration; if you DO decide to go ahead, then have an expert ready to help you. But TBH, as others have said, it may be that you need to go for a larger pony as you will be outgrowing him very soon, and only have to part with him after getting fond of him.

Look for something bigger would be my advice, and accept that this pony is settled in the RS and has brought pleasure to you, and will do for others too.
 
Thank you everyone for your advice, He does refuse fillers but this is something we can work on and doesn't bother me too much. I don't think I would outgrow him and he would also be for my 5'2 8st mother to ride, he generally does around 2 hours a day in the school but it can be more and some days he does none. I would've like to have taken him out to a show to see how he behaved but the school say they don't have the insurance for me to do that.
 
Hi! I bought a RS pony, and kept him there on working livery at first as I'm a first-time owner. Size-wise you sound fine for him, I'm about the upper limit (I reckon) for our boy, my daughter has grown and feels to tall for him :(. We recently moved him to a new yard with fab hacking...he hardly hacked before due to road/lack of routes. We did start taking him out to a few shows while there and he enjoyed himself and was well behaved (although not easy to get back in the trailer!). He moved in November when the school work would have been a lot less anyway (always busier in summer). He seems to have adapted very well to new mates, bigger paddock, a stable at night (& fed inside not in the field), and rather less work (ridden 3 to 4x a week). A 1hr 45min hack with some canters found him tiring a little towards the end as so very different to trotting round the arena and waiting for everyone! The only problem is stress/separation anxiety if he can't see other horses, e.g. when I brought him into an empty yard to tack up, and when left in for the farrier (he tried to squash him, and broke the rasp!). I've decided to make allowances as so much is new for him (some mixed feelings, but glad we made the move). I am working on hacking alone as he naps/spins, but so far have been able to ride through this without mishap, I know he's fine with other horses or another human on foot. It was also a joy (?!) yesterday when he wouldn't be caught at first, cantering and bronking round in the wind; I've never seen him look so playful! At 15, and 10 years in RS I think he is due to have a bit of "real horse" experience! Basically I agree with what others have said, don't turn him away, just ride and do some groundwork to bond with your boy and Good luck!
 
3 years ago I bought a riding school pony (15hh Welsh x TB). He was quite naughty in lessons and would chuck in an unsuspecting buck, hence why they decided to get rid of him. He is my first horse, but I'm a confident rider so I knew whatever problems there might be, I should be ok in dealing with them!! His main strength is that he will stand around patiently for hours and is 100% to handle. He used to nap a lot, but that's more or less sorted. He jumps but absolutely hates xc and I definitely think it's something he won't ever do with confidence. In the first 6 months I reschooled him and got him sharper off the leg and now we are doing RC dressage and quadrille teams and have just affiliated. He still bucks and has his quirks, but that's just him and I definitely think he is happier being a 1 person horse.

I would definitely take on board everyone else's advice and make sure he is definitely the pony you want to commit to, including all the problems that might occur. But having said that, it could work and you could make a great partnership :)
 
Some excellent advice above

Something I would add is do make sure its your decision to buy. Most riding schools would be reluctant to lose a good pony and it wouldn't be unknown for an owner to offload an unsuitable one to a customer eased by a lot of flattery about how well suited you are. A little seed of an idea planted and before long you are begging them to sell you their horse
 
i have bought two from a riding school

the first was a dead to the leg, backwards horse with a bucking habit (and i truly mean dead to the leg - you could have thelwell kicked with spurs on *although this was never tried* and i doubt he would have taken noticed), and a small pony with behavioural issues.

after doing all the teeth/saddler/chiro/etc. checks, i would do the same again but ensure that you have enough in the bank for these things! although the RS have their horse's teeth checked regularly, both of these horses were found to have work that needed sedation at a veterinary practice to complete. Also be very aware of what the other posters have said: the sharp pony has now become a donkey who is nearly anybodys ride providing they arent bouncing everywhere, booting or screaming, and the big horse is still lazy when he doesnt want to do something but very keen and strong when he does! Although i have never ridden the pony personally due to size, i can tell you now that the horse i bought from the riding school was not the same horse 6 days later, 6 weeks later or 6 months later - he was constantly evolving and changing based on my riding, schooling, and just being out of that setting. Hes taught me a lot, primarily that i cant ride one side of a chocolate teapot!

Overall i would say not to shy away but ensure that you get the checks done, and be very aware that the pony you have fallen in love with will probably not be the same in 6 months time! :)
 
My first pony was an ex riding school and the worst purchase I ever made. She didn't like being on her own and napped terribly.

With the problems you say you already have I would suggest that you don't buy this pony.

Go find yourself a 14hh pony that doesn't come with baggage. It's hard when you have an emotional attachment to the pony already but there are just as many out there looking for a good home
 
NeverSurrender said:
i have bought two from a riding school

the first was a dead to the leg, backwards horse with a bucking habit (and i truly mean dead to the leg - you could have thelwell kicked with spurs on *although this was never tried*
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You have just described the exact pony I have on loan :D hahah thank you so much everyone I certainly have a lot to consider and will not make a rushed decision as I know he isn't going anywhere fast. I will scrap the turning away idea and try to find a way to take him to a show and see how he behaves.

I have also hacked him alone a few times and although reluctant at first once we get going he is always a star.
 
It might be worth your while joining Pony Club. Even if you decide not to buy this pony it sounds as though you are looking seriously so would get your money's worth in the year. There might be a rally you could try him at and you would be insured as part of your membership.
 
Sometimes the less than perfect pony ends up at a riding school and is quiet and well behaved as they get lots of work, but if they are sold to a private home and get more food and less work their old bad behaviour returns.

However, it sounds as though you have thought this through carefully. Taking to a show and hacking him out sound like a good idea.
 
maybe buy him but keep him on as livery at the RS so you can gradually reduce the working hours that way, and you can also gradually get him used to hacking out on his own by using someone else as a buddy at first, but then changing whether he goes first or last. You could try taking him out in hand too.
 
I like the sound of taking him out in hand so will try that. I just wanted to add that he was bought by the riding school aged four and broken in by them so knows nothing other than being a rs pony. I'm unsure wether this a good thing or a bad thing. Once again thank you everyone for your help its so refreshing to get new opinions and ideas, a real big help. :)
 
ypvrhc said:
I like the sound of taking him out in hand so will try that. I just wanted to add that he was bought by the riding school aged four and broken in by them so knows nothing other than being a rs pony. I'm unsure wether this a good thing or a bad thing. Once again thank you everyone for your help its so refreshing to get new opinions and ideas, a real big help. :)
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Why are they selling him?
Any good pony in my riding school was worth its weight in gold and definitely never put up for sale. It takes time to produce a good school pony.
 
Tnavas said:
Why are they selling him?
Any good pony in my riding school was worth its weight in gold and definitely never put up for sale. It takes time to produce a good school pony.
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maybe he's due retiring age and they've decided he needs a home with less work?
 
Would the RS let you have the pony on a trial at a different yard? I'm presuming you would be moving to a different livery yard if you purchase him? It will be a culture shock for him. RS ponies are really not the easiest. Shame he's 'dead in the mouth' at only 7yrs. Maybe have a think about what aspirations you have with your riding also. Do you want to compete dressage/jumping? Does this pony have the potential for you?

I have a friend who bought a 15hh RS horse who is lovely and jumps well at home (knows the fillers etc) but isnt confident going to a different venue to jump and wont turn her hoof to dressage so she just hacks and does a little bit in the school. Nothing wrong with that but said friend does have ambition to do more.
 
Tnavas said:
Why are they selling
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They have had a very quiet year and not all the ponies are needed so they have offered him to me but have not advertised him. He certainly has potential in show jumping with lots of scope and that's where my ambitions lie. Asking for a trial is a fantastic idea and if I decide to go ahead with it I will certainly do that and see how it goes :)
 
You do need to be aware of all the possible pitfall when buying a RS pony BUT, I have had a few horses that have worked in RS at some point in their lives, a couple of them cam to me straight from their RS. I didn't know any of them prior to the purchase. Although they all knew a few tricks to try to ensure an easy life, they have all been fabulous. They have all hacked out alone (one mare liked to hurry on the way back) and been excellent in traffic and with other hazards. Sis and I shared our 1st horse who had been in a RS every winter (driven in summer) and he taught us a lot.
 
It would do him no harm to be turned a way and have a rest.

But consider how the change in lifestyle could affect him.

You say he is lovely but cheeky and still being used in the riding school.

What will his temperament be like with just you riding him?
Could the cheekiness turn to naughtiness?
How long has he lived there?
The change of home can affect them massively, feed, routine etc.

Join a bit bank and try some new bits to help get a better response.
Remember, you don't need to go to a stronger bit, just a different one can make a huge difference!
 
Tnavas said:
Why are they selling him?
Any good pony in my riding school was worth its weight in gold and definitely never put up for sale. It takes time to produce a good school pony.
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The riding school I'm at, and the one that my friends ride at, often buy young/green/"problem" horses and ponies to then train up and sell on for a profit. Once the ponies can have "has done Pony Club Rallies" and "all-rounder" put in an advert because they've hacked/done gymkhanas, been dressed up, done drill rides and jumped both showjumps and xcountry fences then they are obviously worth quite a lot, especially to a first time owner. Even the most fantastic ponies are sold for a suitable offer and are often then encouraged to keep them on working livery.
 
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