Otherwise
Well-Known Member
They grow out of ponies quite quickly, a loan might be more suitable so in a couple of years you can upgrade to a bigger pony.
COsts for a new horse
- Thread starter Jusy
- Start date
misst
Well-Known Member
I also didn't realise your little one was so young.
I am sure your daughter is competent for her age but she will not really be independently riding at this stage however good it may look. I certainly wouldn't be looking to buy a competition type pony for her first one. You will want a nice mannerly probably older pony to loan. Many is the child scared off riding by a pony too big and too sharp for them. They need to enjoy it not just win or even just take part in competitions.
We took our first on loan (a right little monkey of a sh*tland) for 2 years when my daughter was 8. This gave us a pony small enough to handle and enjoy without the worry of vets bills etc. We spent that time learning what a huge commitment it was going to be. The pony came from the riding school and was again on WL so we had support. The RS actually suggested it as a first step. After a year we started PC and she went to a few rallies with him - riding school were super helpful on loading/lending trailer and general advice and an instructor came with her to our first rally to help us load/unload and tack up in new situations.
At 10 the RS had a pony suitable come in and we got to know her over a few months. We then bought and had her on part WL for another few months. Then we felt ready to move to a DIY yard. That was a whole new set of things to learn.
Never having owned a horse it was a big learning curve and we would have come a cropper without good experienced help along the way.
The really competitions don't really start until about 10 years old unless you are showing lead rein ponies etc. If she's keen she will stick with it but some children just want to enjoy their pony and potter around and there is nothing wrong with that. They have to enjoy it and so do you. It is the best but the most stressful thing I have ever done.
I am sure your daughter is competent for her age but she will not really be independently riding at this stage however good it may look. I certainly wouldn't be looking to buy a competition type pony for her first one. You will want a nice mannerly probably older pony to loan. Many is the child scared off riding by a pony too big and too sharp for them. They need to enjoy it not just win or even just take part in competitions.
We took our first on loan (a right little monkey of a sh*tland) for 2 years when my daughter was 8. This gave us a pony small enough to handle and enjoy without the worry of vets bills etc. We spent that time learning what a huge commitment it was going to be. The pony came from the riding school and was again on WL so we had support. The RS actually suggested it as a first step. After a year we started PC and she went to a few rallies with him - riding school were super helpful on loading/lending trailer and general advice and an instructor came with her to our first rally to help us load/unload and tack up in new situations.
At 10 the RS had a pony suitable come in and we got to know her over a few months. We then bought and had her on part WL for another few months. Then we felt ready to move to a DIY yard. That was a whole new set of things to learn.
Never having owned a horse it was a big learning curve and we would have come a cropper without good experienced help along the way.
The really competitions don't really start until about 10 years old unless you are showing lead rein ponies etc. If she's keen she will stick with it but some children just want to enjoy their pony and potter around and there is nothing wrong with that. They have to enjoy it and so do you. It is the best but the most stressful thing I have ever done.
Jusy
Member
Thank you. We are lucky as you have experienced we have a very helpful riding school. I have proberly come across as a really pushy parent! She absolutely loves riding and spends as much time at the stable as she can! We have been very clear that if she is to ever get one it’s about getting our hands dirty and she has been with the riding school pony club learning horse management. The competitions we are doing are only at the stables although they do ge a lot of other children arriving. She had an absolute blast and we have reiterated this is just about experience and fun. My dream is to do a loan or Wl from te riding school much like you have done and learn everything we need to know. The issue I have is the pony’s she loves riding is Owned by another little girl so we are not always able to loan this pony for the fun competitions. And although I advocate changing ponies to learn from each one I felt like we were getting to the stage where by the end of next year we may be able to look at loaning or wl and see how we get on! I just want it to be fun but I also want to go into this with our eyes open to what we are letting ourselves into. She has been riding for 3 years and has not shown any inclination of quiting she has options to do different activities at school dance / gymnastics / yoga / tennis and keeps coming back that riding is the only thing she wants to do. If I let her she would stay at the stables all weekend!
She is ale to walk trot canter of lead rein and do 30cm jumps independently at the moment.
She is ale to walk trot canter of lead rein and do 30cm jumps independently at the moment.
misst
Well-Known Member
She sounds just like my daughter was! What I did not realise was the difference between riding a RS pony in a schooling area and competing in an open space with distractions and noise and other ponies etc. When they go to PC rallies etc it is very different and that is when they can lose confidence - ponies behave differently in an open space away from home 
. The child that rides independently in a group or in a school is not as competent out of their comfort zone. Take everything slowly and enjoy yourselves.
I am quite envious and if I could I would do it again. My best friend who I met on my first day at a PC rally also feels the same! We are two grannies hoping our grandchildren will follow in our daughters footsteps
. The child that rides independently in a group or in a school is not as competent out of their comfort zone. Take everything slowly and enjoy yourselves. I am quite envious and if I could I would do it again. My best friend who I met on my first day at a PC rally also feels the same! We are two grannies hoping our grandchildren will follow in our daughters footsteps
ycbm
Einstein would be proud of my Insanity...
They are probably being helpful because if you pay £40 a week for a grass kept working livery, you are paying the entire costs and more for them to have half to three quarter use of a riding school pony. And they have the capital in the bank from you buying it on top.
This may suit you all, and if it does that is fine, but it's hard nosed (and imo pretty cheeky!) business, not kindness on their part.
.
eggs
Well-Known Member
Your costs do not seem to be that far out but I always reckon that it will cost about 50% more per annum that I think!
Totally agree that the RS have seen your coming - £40 per week for grass livery (plus farrier, feed if needed, vet, insurance, etc) and they get to use the pony in the school sounds like an exceptionally good deal for them.
I do think that at 5 with non-horsey parents it is a big ask to be getting a pony even with support from the riding school. Have you tried the local Pony Club to see is there are any suitable ponies that you could maybe share with the owner?
Totally agree that the RS have seen your coming - £40 per week for grass livery (plus farrier, feed if needed, vet, insurance, etc) and they get to use the pony in the school sounds like an exceptionally good deal for them.
I do think that at 5 with non-horsey parents it is a big ask to be getting a pony even with support from the riding school. Have you tried the local Pony Club to see is there are any suitable ponies that you could maybe share with the owner?