Finding family homes for 3 year olds - any tips?

[maya2008]

Have a bogof and friend who will be three this spring, at which point we will look for homes for them. Both are small pony types. Sweet and tame and easy.

What stage would it be best to advertise them at, to get the best chance of finding a competent family home? As they are? All groundwork done but not backed? Backed and ridden away? Would getting them out to some in-hand shows help? They’re both great in traffic and around children. Trying to work out whether a family would prefer lower price and less work done, or higher price and all done for them.

We can do all the groundwork, I can get them backed and ridden away (on lead with tiny kids and off lead with mine), but I really do not want to keep them until they are 4. I also care for them, so would like to find nice family homes where they can thrive, not someone looking for a project to improve and sell asap.

Thoughts anyone?

 

[Zoeypxo]

Backed and riding away will be your best bet

 

[Glitter's fun]

Have a bogof and friend who will be three this spring, at which point we will look for homes for them. Both are small pony types. Sweet and tame and easy.

What stage would it be best to advertise them at, to get the best chance of finding a competent family home? As they are? All groundwork done but not backed? Backed and ridden away? Would getting them out to some in-hand shows help? They’re both great in traffic and around children. Trying to work out whether a family would prefer lower price and less work done, or higher price and all done for them.

We can do all the groundwork, I can get them backed and ridden away (on lead with tiny kids and off lead with mine), but I really do not want to keep them until they are 4. I also care for them, so would like to find nice family homes where they can thrive, not someone looking for a project to improve and sell asap.

Thoughts anyone?

If you have the skills & facilities I'd back them. As well as making you a lot more money compared to the effort needed, it would make them safer. You'd have a bigger choice of potential buyers & could price them above what a dealer would be interested in. ( Dealers would be wanting to take them off your hands cheaply, now, back them in a rush & then sell on for a quick profit.) If they're quiet enough a couple of photos with a small child in flappy fancy dress, on lead rein would help!

 

[dottylottie]

as above, do as much as you feasibly can, but if definitely get them out to some inhand shows, some handy pony classes would be a good idea if your local shows have them, with plenty of photos to evidence what the pony has seen.

all the random, ridiculous things kids do with ponies the second mum or dad isn’t looking - get some practice and some photos! anyone buying a just backed pony will hopefully have a competent child riding it anyway, but reassurance for everyone if you can show it’s safe on the ground

 

[honetpot]

Very few people have the time or the skill to bring on a three year old, and depending on how big it is they are the devil to sell as a childs pony. Most people want made and an adult sized pony will be an easier sell. Long term homes are like hens teeth, unless they have a younger child to follow on they get moved on every two years. I had room so I kept all my childrens ponies bar one, and even though it had done PC, good in traffic and safe to handle by a child, people want the moon for nothing, as he was only 11.2, and not show quality Welsh.

 

[maya2008]

Very few people have the time or the skill to bring on a three year old, and depending on how big it is they are the devil to sell as a childs pony. Most people want made and an adult sized pony will be an easier sell. Long term homes are like hens teeth, unless they have a younger child to follow on they get moved on every two years. I had room so I kept all my childrens ponies bar one, and even though it had done PC, good in traffic and safe to handle by a child, people want the moon for nothing, as he was only 11.2, and not show quality Welsh.

The smaller one is lead rein size. She’s amazing in hand, hacks out led off another pony, not at all spooky - bold and curious. I would happily send her off to teach a toddler to ride. Hoping for that sort of home for her really. Somewhere she can stay for 2-3 years and not be passed on in a matter of months.