Difference between a pony and a horse?

[Jellymoon]

When people say this they are often meaning that a teenager who has been successful in ponies doesn’t always make a successful transition into horses. It’s not always a case of teenager now tall enough for the 16.2hh and hey presto look they are winning against adults (although some do!).

It can be tempting to go out and buy that flash 16.2hh sport horse for a brave confident child, but actually the 15.2-16hh half bred might be more sensible for the transition period

This, completely.
There is a world of difference between transitioning from a 14.2 schoolmaster to a 16.2 flashy sports horse or transitioning from the 14.2 onto a 15.2/16hh not so flashy half native schoolmaster. The clever mummies from our pc dig out the latter for their lovelies when they’ve outgrown their 14.2s, if they can find them!

 

[Griffin]

Oddly, I find ponies much easier to care for in winter (fewer worries about not having enough rugs on and keeping weight on) but horses are easier in the summer. My pony spends the entire summer being itching/having reactions to insect bites, needing sun cream, whereas the horse just seems to thrive in warm weather.

Obviously, striding can be very different. I prefer ponies because being quite short, I feel more 'at one' with them to ride, my pony is like being on a quad bike to hack. I like their mischievous personalities and I think that they can be very affectionate too.

However, if you find a kind and clever horse, they are just so special. My first horse was such a gentle giant and so clever that I always felt safe with him, I knew he would get us out of any problem.

 

[Otherwise]

I know a lot of people(me included) who struggled going from a pony to a horse. Most of it was probably because the change coincided with buying something greener, going from something that knows it's job and will forgive mistakes or sort itself out to training a youngster is always going to be a challenge. I know of two pony clubbers who did well on ponies whose transition to horses were flashy but green 5 yr olds, neither worked out and were sold on, both kids stopped riding. Now maybe they would have given up anyway but having the wrong horse can't of helped.