Does anyone have a horse they don't ride?

GypsyGirl

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Hey guys,

Im just wondering if anyone has ever bought a horse that they can't ride?

Basicly, my riding instructor bought some foals ages ago from the new forest pony sales. She has broken one of them and is now advertised to be sold.

She is a beautiful mare, shes 13hh and 3. She said that if I was interested then she would accept an offer on her. Now heres my thing, ive been looking around for a pony for my 2 nieces to learn on. I know a lot of people on here will say don't by a 3year old for a novice .. But .. Ive known this pony since she came, she is such a nice mare, shes been broken, she rides out by herself, goes through traffic great to load etc.

Now im only 5ft1, and this mare is small. Shes 13hands but shes also small boned. She would be great for my nieces. I might go and see her with them again tomorrow, I could easily ride this mare, but I wouldnt just because Id feel to big for her but maybe every now and again etc. She'd make a great little show pony and jumper she free schools over 3ft fences atm etc.

But other from that have any of you bought a pony that you don't ride? What were the pros and cons of it all?

Please don't put any comments on saying that im irrisponsible etc for maybe getting a 3 year old for my nieces. If you met her there is no way you would think shes 3.

Thank you in advance :) x
 
Is she 3 this year or 4. She seems to have done a lot of work for a baby.

Personally i would pay for riding lessons for your neices -a lot cheaper and easier.
 
Shes going to be 4 soon. My nieces is going to be having riding lessons aswell .. but it works out cheaper for us because riding lessons are about £25 for 45mins lesson, but my field rent alone is £30 a week. So it works out better for us to have their own. It does sound that shes done alot, but my riding instructor hasnt pushed her or anything. She free schools her, and she also introduced her to traffic etc. She is fine shes not your usual 3 year old and shes been bought up around children aswell.
 
at 5'1 you certainly dont sound too tall for her. My concern would be is there anyone whos going to be able to bring this pony on, as shes only a baby even if shes mature they all have their moments and being ridden by learners probably isnt the best thing for her education.
 
I think your title ought to read, "Please say it's ok to buy a youngster to teach total novices on"

The horse may well have the temperament of a saint, but by plonking total novices on it, you may end up ruining a very genuine pony.

I think you comment about it working out cheaper is wholly irresponsible.

I really hope you weren't being serious.
 
at 5'1 you certainly dont sound too tall for her. My concern would be is there anyone whos going to be able to bring this pony on, as shes only a baby even if shes mature they all have their moments and being ridden by learners probably isnt the best thing for her education.

Have to agree with this^^^^:)
 
I think your title ought to read, "Please say it's ok to buy a youngster to teach total novices on"

The horse may well have the temperament of a saint, but by plonking total novices on it, you may end up ruining a very genuine pony.

I think you comment about it working out cheaper is wholly irresponsible.

I really hope you weren't being serious.

Well to be honest .. if your going to comment on my post and be bitchy about it .. then don't even bother posting on it at all. Im not on about "Plonking a total novice on it" .. I was simply asking if anyone has a horse they don't ride. I can ride this horse but I would "feel" to big for it .. Also .. I have other people around aswell as myself to bring on this pony. My nieces would also carry on there lessons with this pony as well as entering the local shows that they do on my horse at the moment.

I also know for a fact that my instructor would not sell me a horse that she thought my nieces or I would ruin.
 
In answer to the title question Yes i have two i dont ride ....... a 10 Month Foal and a shetland pony.
 
It was not my intention to offend you, albeit when I posted that I didn't read your last paragraph asking to not be told how irresponsible it would be.

I was merely using your own terms "novice" and "learn on" and from that extrapolated what I felt you were really asking advice on.
Perhaps you ought to have written, "I am considering buying a horse for a family member, do you think I can exercise her also.....?"

To answer the latter, I would say that at your height the horse would cope with you riding.
 
It was not my intention to offend you, albeit when I posted that I didn't read your last paragraph asking to not be told how irresponsible it would be.

I was merely using your own terms "novice" and "learn on" and from that extrapolated what I felt you were really asking advice on.
Perhaps you ought to have written, "I am considering buying a horse for a family member, do you think I can exercise her also.....?"

To answer the latter, I would say that at your height the horse would cope with you riding.

Thats fine no worries and sorry for being snappy aswell. I referred to them as Novices because they are young themselves, and are also going to still be learning with lessons with there own pony. They do go into local showing classes aswell, but Gypsy is a bit big for them, Gypsy being a 14hh cob lol. But this pony is a better height and build for them.

I will be there to help bring the pony on aswell, just after a while I wont be the main one riding, it will be my girls lol.

Im not 100% sure yet we shall see. She is very cute though lol. :)
 
It seems your nieces already ride to some degree as they have been entering shows. My only concern would be that they would be very keen and want to ride all the tiem(nothign wrong there) and this pony would not yet be up to all that work?

Also think its nice for kids to have something they can do everything with, and that knows it all already.

Anyhow, back to your actual question, I have my old horse who is no longer ridden. And I used to have a small pony that I couldn't ride.

You sound fine height wise, it would be good for you to be able to educate pony a bit more.
 
I also would advise you to go for an older "been there, done that" type pony. A 3 year old is far too young for novice children. Children can easily be scared when learning to ride,, a young pony needs confidence and encouragement. I wouldn't put your nieces in this position if I were you.

In answer to your question,, I have a retired gelding I no longer ride.
 
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