Definition of First Pony?

[vikkiandmonica]

I've always though my mare needed a fairly experience rider to handle her when ridden etc., but for the past two days, a girl at my yard, who has just turned 12, rode her. She was amazing for her, and really looked after the girl, even though the girl was a little nervous, although the girl knows how to walk, trot, canter and jump, and is fairly competent, just nervous. This girl does everything for Monica at the minute, she gets her in from the field, grooms her, tacks her up, rugs her back up, and turns her out. And Monica doesn't bat an eyelid.

So, I was just wondering, what constitutes to a first pony/suitable for children etc.? And what would you class Monica as?

Thanks

 

[milliepops]

It depends so much on the horse. Some horses seem to just *know* who they are dealing with - I used to ride an old horse who would behave impecably with a novice, but if someone who thought they knew what they were doing got on, he would give them hell!

(BTW, Monica is such a fab name for a horse!

)

 

[vikkiandmonica]

That does sound a lot like Monica haha (and btw, I've akways thought it was a slightly weird name

). She is really well behaved from small, more nervous riders, so doesn't mind if they tug on her mouth accidently etc., but if someone got on that were really confident etc. she would be a little naughtier, but also try hard for them when it came to jumping etc.