Dilemma!

It's not a very child friendly decision to make - the point about them 'growing' together is a bit odd as its hard to predict what rate both will grow at. Plus you have no idea if the pony could end up being too strong/lazy/bad jumper

I would hate it as an 8 year old to have a pony I couldn't enjoy myself on. Plus will her riding not suffer by being so limited? I honestly can't see any pluses in the scenario and think its actually unfair on the child.
 
I am generally against horses or ponies of under five or six years old being bought for children or teens. The reason is that they are often ridden far harder than they should be, because naturally, children and teens like to do lots and do it fast. Far too risky for a horse that is not fully grown IMO. I would look for something aged six or older.
 
abitgreen said:
, and she's fallen from 3 in the last 6 months: a 14hh on landing a jump, 16h in trot and a 13.3 when it dropped the anchors on her.
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and that is why I would say its a very bad idea.
Young horses ime tend to fall in to two groups, those that get upset when rider falls off and those that learn ditching the rider is easy. Both end up as problems.
 
And the attack begins lol

I honstely haven't made my mind up and (whilst I appreciate where you're all coming from) my daughter isnt interested in pony club.

And yes, as always, I regret posting something on the forum - hence the different username to usual.
 
Attack, I hardly think so. You asked for opinions. Because a number of them don't suit you, you can't say that they are an attack, they are just requested opinions. Did you expect everyone to think it a good idea, if so why ask ?
 
abitgreen said:
And the attack begins lol

I honstely haven't made my mind up and (whilst I appreciate where you're all coming from) my daughter isnt interested in pony club.

And yes, as always, I regret posting something on the forum - hence the different username to usual.
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:confused: I don't think anyone has attacked you on this thread. They have just given their honest opinion. I must admit, these threads where someone asks a question on here, and everyone tells them their opinion and then because it's not what the OP wanted to hear, they are accused of attacking the OP, have me completely mystified.

OP you have been given excellent advice. Something in you should tell you to take it. :)
 
I had a 3 yr old at the age of 12. Best thing ever as it actually taught me how to ride and not just sit on top, kick and pull. I didn't even have my parents to help. Just my instructor who I did get 2-3 lessons from a week. In my opinion as long as the pony also has schooling from somebody experienced then you can get a lovely pony from it all. I used to break ponies in and alot were brought by young children. I made sure they were well rounded experienced for their age type ponies. I made sure they saw everythig, I used to hang off the sides of them, waving plastic bags, everything. I always had feedbck of how well thy were doing so I'd say go for it, you have somebody who knows what they are doing
 
I think that that this will be a bad decision.. You'd be better off getting your child a horse/pony that she can have fun on and learn to ride.

As MiCsarah said she had a 3yr old at 12 and was the best thing for her.. If I was you I would think of getting your daughter an unbroken horse for her to "grow" with when she is a few years older. I think what I'm trying to say is it would be better if your daughter was a bit more mature and experienced before risking denting her confidence. When I was 8 I was still galloping schoolmasters round fields!!

I agree with most of the other posters comments and wouldn't say any were attacking you.
 
An old horseman's adage: "One of the two of you needs to know more than the other". In other words, old ponies for young riders; young ponies for old riders, otherwise it's just the blind leading the blind.
 
ohhh i must be an awful mum because my tiny 10 yr old daughter has a 12hh 4 yr old that was broken a year ago(not by us) and another 4 yr old(13hh) who we've had since he was 5 months which we are breaking ourselves:o
her and the 13hh have a wonderful bond on the ground, he dotes on her and her on him , but he's a fizzy little chap and she is not ready to ride him yet, she helped with the initial backing but it's now my job to bring him on, she had her little 11hh lead rein pony to play with while the young one was growing up.
we sold the 11hh about 2 months ago and bought the 12hh, he was professionally broken in his 3rd year and is completely different to the bigger chap. very steady and really looks after my daughter, his biggest spook so far has been to trot off for 5 strides and then stop when a load of crows flew out the feed barn as we rode past:rolleyes: the 13hh would have taken flight into the next county:eek:
my daughter is not interested in pony club or competing, she just wants a pony that she loves and trusts that she can ride off into the sunset on.
would i do anything different with hindsight?.. nope, :)
it has worked for us because we had the small lead rein pony for daughter to ride while the youngster was growing, i wouldn't have done it if the youngster was going to be her only pony, she would have missed riding too much and probably lost interest, groundwork and basic training is not always interesting for a child.
i don't think getting a youngster for a child is necessarily a bad idea, but even tho your daughter is a large 8 yr old i would still be inclined to go for a 14hh rather than one that may make 15hh. my 12 yr old son looks small on my 15hh and i know there is no way he could really 'ride' him if he needed to, as a passenger he's ok.
 
i would sit her down and ask her to accept a suitable pony on loan, for her to practice on, and make her understand she is only borrowing it for some time as she will outgrow it, but that it will be replaced by a better and cleverer pony so she can do more interesting and different things when she feels ready.

yes i know sometimes it works, young pony etc, but it can also be the blind leading the blind, a child of 8 has not the experience of the sensations and instincts necessary to call on to school a very young pony, and unless it is a total saint she will be a passenger on a too large animal, better i think to have one of the correct sizes as you go along, to ensure she gains confidence, and falling off is really no benefit to anyone.

the best part about loaning one will be that she can ride it before making a decision to take it home and make a good start and get on with some riding.
 
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