First ridden ponies - where can I find one?

[Fizzandfun]

After so many false starts I’m starting to loose the will!

I know they are out there but where? We don’t do PC yet (need pony) so we don’t hear about the ‘good ones’. We have tried many. Some are great in the school but not so good out, others hate schooling but love to hack. The rest aren’t what they say they are (no, I’m sure your pony has never bucked its way around the school before! Thank goodness my daughter wasn’t the one on board).

My daughter is 10 but needs a good confidence giver while she’s still small enough to ride a 13hh. I know they exist but where outside of PC?

We’re on a small livery/riding stables so lots of support on hand as well as regular lessons.

 

[Carol Singing Dawg]

We sold our very safe, reliable first ridden on Facebook. The first family to view him bought him. Have you considered putting up wanted adverts?

 

[gallopingby]

Try looking on FB Wikr l think it’s called, they have a link to the website that used to list adverts for the pony club. Your local PC district commisoner may be able to help. A lot of first ridden ponies won’t ever be advertised and will pass by word of mouth from one family to another.

 

[maya2008]

You need a pony suitable for a novice, rather than specifically a first ridden - first ridden ponies are usually under 12hh for little ones just coming off the lead.

They sell in a day or two once advertised, but are also much loved so owners will be choosy about the home. Unfortunately, a home with an inexperienced adult will be less desirable, so you may find that even if you find one, it goes elsewhere. How about finding a share pony first? It’s a good way in to the horse world and you can gain contacts along with experience.

 

[Supercalifragilistic]

You need to be monitoring all the sales points like a hawk - Whickr, Horsequest, the various Facebook selling pages. When you see a pony contact the seller - immediately - either by phone or with a nice message explaining who you are and what you are looking for. Don’t just message with ‘details please’ - this will probably be ignored or fall to the bottom of the queue. I sold a first pony this summer, advert went live on Sunday evening and he sold subject to vet within 24hrs to someone who called me that night. I had a queue of viewings lined up and I was being picky about where he would go.

Be on the lookout for things in the advert that suggest the pony isn’t really suitable for a novice - eg all photos show small children always on lead, larger children / small adults off lead, or minimal photos of the pony actually doing anything. Check what bit it is ridden in.

Finally, buy the pony that your child needs now - not the one that you would hope they need in a year. What I mean by that is that is that many ponies that are jumping 70s won’t step down to popping x-pole courses safely.

I’m afraid it just takes time and you will see unsuitable ponies despite being picky about what you view. Good luck, pony buying is a horrible business!

 

[Glitter's fun]

I feel for you - it's difficult and frustrating.
Put the word out everywhere you can - talk to the local vets, farrier, feed store, tack shop. Put a card up in the window of those places. Go along to PC to talk to the organisers. Go to local shows & talk to the parents. Good quiet ponies are very valued & people are more likely to sell their outgrown one to someone they have met than to a stranger.
Good luck.

 

[Gloi]

If you join the PC and volunteer as a helper you will be in a good position to see ponies and hear if anything is coming up for sale or loan.

 

[HeyMich]

Go along to your local PC rallies and make yourself known to the DC and instructors. They'll be best placed to know the ponies and what might be coming onto the market soon.

 

[Fizzandfun]

Thank you, lots of great ideas here. Yes, we’re looking for novice rather than first ridden. I have posted up adverts and have many many unsuitable offers from dealers - so many ponies are moved around frequently.

We’ve owned for four years so not inexperienced (had two of my own as a teen), my daughters needs have changed for various reasons which is why we want a novice friendly pony. We’ve loaned a lovely oldie in the past, then a Shetland and then her NP pony had to be retired this summer due to health issues which weren’t spotted during vetting (although he had to go into hospital for diagnosis so no vetting would have been able to foresee his issues). Her new pony hasn’t worked out and was sold on false pretences so she’s gone back. Sadly many people lie. We’ve moved and so we’re not actively involved in PC but that can’t be the only route as many children ride and aren’t involved in PC.

We definitely need a pony for her needs right now which will mean moving on after 12 months but so be it. A loan would be ideal.

I’m not prepared to buy unseen - do people really do that for novice ponies now? I think this is why we are missing out. But we’re prepared to travel.

 

[Supercalifragilistic]

Sounds like you have a very sensible approach. As you are prepared to travel it’s worth going on a couple of road trips, see if you can string together 4 ponies in a day even if it means a lot of road miles.
The best Facebook groups in my experience are Pony Club Horses and Ponies, kids and ponies UK only, Pony Club Ponies UK, Whickr Horses and Ponies UK, Lead Rein & First Ridden Native Ponies and pony Club Ponies.

In case you don’t know, there is a function in FB where you can see ‘Your Groups’ and anything with a new post is marked with a blue dot. It’s a quick way of finding new posts without having to scroll through your feed.

 

[Fizzandfun]

Ok, so I’ve lined up two for us to view with our instructor. Spent hours cross checking stories and backgrounds on FB.

One question re: vices. Bolting and rearing are not an option but is there any indication that a pony can be prone to bolting before it happens? I’ve had two horrific bolting experiences and never want my daughter to experience the same. One was on a road. I still get flashbacks.

We hack in open fields and of course, I’d not let her just go off with a new pony on her own. I’d lead to start etc but are there any signs a pony could be a bolter before it actually goes?!

 

[Caski]

Re bolting, I don't think there is a guarantee or obvious indicator that a pony 'might' take off. We had a 13.2 connie who was just the safest chap but one day he bolted for home, on a road, pulled off 2 shes in the process! We never worked out why and he never did it again, clearly something terrified him. A neighbouring farmer claimed to have seen a very large cat - who know though, a matter of local legend and a few pints of ale!!

 

[MidChristmasCrisis]

Join the pony club, talk to your DC and it is entirely possible that families within the PC still have good
ponies They will lend to you for rallies and when they get to know you better May loan or suggest suitable ponies. The PC my daughter was at were fabulous at lending her a pony when we were between selling and buying her next one.

 

[eahotson]

I was looking for an adult version of this.They are like gold dust.

 

[minesadouble]

I sold exactly the type of pony you are looking for last year.
I didn't advertise him but looked through the wanted ads on Pony Club Ponies Facebook page. So if you haven't advertised on there already it may be worth a try.
I would always try to find a pony that's in a family home rather than a dealer/agent because I adored our pony and wanted to personally ensure he got the best home possible I would Never have sold him via an agent.
I've bought a few ponies/horses unseen, including for my children, but if you have a nervous jockey I would never advise this.
The mum of the little girl who bought our little saint told me ours was the first pony she had tried where she hadn't asked her mum to lead her and confidently trotted off lead.
You will also need a decent budget as sadly these ponies don't come cheap.

 

[tda]

Agree to try the PC first.
A friend of mine has a super pony but he's only young and even tho he's good, he just hasn't got the calmness her daughter really needs at the moment. I said she might find someone at PC who needs to step up from a slower pony and they could swap!

 

[Fizzandfun]

Shoot, not sure we have any tales of big cats around here but the pony would have to race me if there was one!

I know there’s no guarantees at all. And as you say, there’s usually a good reason (to pony).

I’m weeding out those who have come via a dealer or ‘selling on behalf of’. I’ve also had some messages warning me of certain people. It’s enough to put people off. Dodgy dealers is a great resource.

Re: budget. Ours is £4-6k which I thought was decent for our needs however seems we should be looking north of £10k for ponies that would have been way less pre lockdown. What are your views on price?

 

[Fizzandfun]

I will try PC locally although I believe the rallies have pretty much stopped for winter. Our sim was to join in Spring once they were up and running again. I feel we’re in a time sensitive period before she grows too much and has to move up in size again.

 

[Ali27]

If you are near Staffordshire then I know someone who has a couple of really nice, safe ponies for sale. She has a brilliant reputation locally. Message me if you’d like details!

 

[maya2008]

Ok, so I’ve lined up two for us to view with our instructor. Spent hours cross checking stories and backgrounds on FB.

One question re: vices. Bolting and rearing are not an option but is there any indication that a pony can be prone to bolting before it happens? I’ve had two horrific bolting experiences and never want my daughter to experience the same. One was on a road. I still get flashbacks.

We hack in open fields and of course, I’d not let her just go off with a new pony on her own. I’d lead to start etc but are there any signs a pony could be a bolter before it actually goes?!

You’re looking for a pony suitable for a novice. It should be rock solid and spook at nothing, if it is what the advert says. I sold a small one of those before half term and she has, in less than a week in her new home, taught her small person rising trot, hacked out across all terrain, been to a show and had all manner of crazy traffic pass her. She was out riding with her new best friend the afternoon we dropped her off! She would never leave at speed, I literally cannot imagine it, we sold her in the end because she was too slow - willingly gives steady w/t/c and a small jump but that is the limit of what she is willing to do!

 

[eahotson]

You’re looking for a pony suitable for a novice. It should be rock solid and spook at nothing, if it is what the advert says. I sold a small one of those before half term and she has, in less than a week in her new home, taught her small person rising trot, hacked out across all terrain, been to a show and had all manner of crazy traffic pass her. She was out riding with her new best friend the afternoon we dropped her off! She would never leave at speed, I literally cannot imagine it, we sold her in the end because she was too slow - willingly gives steady w/t/c and a small jump but that is the limit of what she is willing to do!

What a gem.I hope you got a good price for her.

 

[Wishfilly]

Shoot, not sure we have any tales of big cats around here but the pony would have to race me if there was one!

I know there’s no guarantees at all. And as you say, there’s usually a good reason (to pony).

I’m weeding out those who have come via a dealer or ‘selling on behalf of’. I’ve also had some messages warning me of certain people. It’s enough to put people off. Dodgy dealers is a great resource.

Re: budget. Ours is £4-6k which I thought was decent for our needs however seems we should be looking north of £10k for ponies that would have been way less pre lockdown. What are your views on price?

With budget, I think it is going to depend on the age group/type you are looking for. You're getting into a height bracket where the chunkier ones can be ridden by small adults, and that can start to push prices up. I do think a really saintly 13hh who is also potentially competitive will come at a premium, but if you are happy to look at something older or something that won't be so competitive jumping, then you should be able to find something within that price bracket.

I would be tempted to go older regardless- as others say, there are no guarantees, but I feel if a pony has got to its mid/late teens without ever bolting or rearing, then they are less likely to do so. Also, they will have seen a lot more of life, so will be less reactive to things.

Ponies of this size can go on forever, and I know some that are still teaching kids the ropes, and could still be in the ribbons at local showjumping (or similar) in their mid twenties!

I would not necessarily rule out all dealers, but I would want to see the pony ridden by a child not an adult, no matter how petite the adult is.

 

[Fizzandfun]

You’re looking for a pony suitable for a novice. It should be rock solid and spook at nothing, if it is what the advert says. I sold a small one of those before half term and she has, in less than a week in her new home, taught her small person rising trot, hacked out across all terrain, been to a show and had all manner of crazy traffic pass her. She was out riding with her new best friend the afternoon we dropped her off! She would never leave at speed, I literally cannot imagine it, we sold her in the end because she was too slow - willingly gives steady w/t/c and a small jump but that is the limit of what she is willing to do!

This is exactly what I’m looking for, she sounds like a gem!

I wonder if I’ve worded my advert correctly. I thought I’d made it clear I was looking for a novice child but some of the ponies we’ve had sent our way are way off the mark. I know there are gutsy child riders but my child isn’t and I thought I’d made that really clear.

 

[Fizzandfun]

With budget, I think it is going to depend on the age group/type you are looking for. You're getting into a height bracket where the chunkier ones can be ridden by small adults, and that can start to push prices up. I do think a really saintly 13hh who is also potentially competitive will come at a premium, but if you are happy to look at something older or something that won't be so competitive jumping, then you should be able to find something within that price bracket.

I would be tempted to go older regardless- as others say, there are no guarantees, but I feel if a pony has got to its mid/late teens without ever bolting or rearing, then they are less likely to do so. Also, they will have seen a lot more of life, so will be less reactive to things.

Ponies of this size can go on forever, and I know some that are still teaching kids the ropes, and could still be in the ribbons at local showjumping (or similar) in their mid twenties!

I would not necessarily rule out all dealers, but I would want to see the pony ridden by a child not an adult, no matter how petite the adult is.

Her first little loan pony was a great oldie and I wish we’d been able to keep her but she was wanted back for the owners grandchild. She was grumpy on the ground (just pulled faces) but she was a saint. We didn’t have her long and then lockdown hit and we were limited on lessons etc (in Wales).

That’s a good point about size and price brackets. A 13hh older pony which will just pop a few jumps is what we’re looking for.

 

[Wishfilly]

Her first little loan pony was a great oldie and I wish we’d been able to keep her but she was wanted back for the owners grandchild. She was grumpy on the ground (just pulled faces) but she was a saint. We didn’t have her long and then lockdown hit and we were limited on lessons etc (in Wales).

That’s a good point about size and price brackets. A 13hh older pony which will just pop a few jumps is what we’re looking for.

I think if you can find one for sale then your budget will be okay, particularly if you are open to compromises e.g. scars, sweet itch etc.

I think when you get into the 13hh plus bracket, ponies tend to move on less regularly- often kids can keep riding them for longer, even if they get another larger pony/horse, and if they have been kept around for a long time, then they are less likely to ultimately be sold. And as you say, a lot of these safe, sane children's ponies only move around by word of mouth anyway!

Often, with wanted ads, you will get a lot of nonsense alongside the gems, so you sometimes have to keep wading through!

If you're hoping to join PC anyway, is it worth contacting them and explaining the situation? They may know someone who can help.

 

[AmyMay]

Just seen this on fb

 

[SO1]

Maybe consider welsh B's. There was one on our yard who was first pony for two young girls.

This one older but sounds safe.

Fabulous 13hh confidence giving second pony who will give his next jockey a lot of fun.

<p>13hh bay gelding, 18 years who, over the last three years that we have had him, has taken our nervous daughter from barely jumping a pole on the ground to happily competing 90cm and jumping higher at home.<br /> <br /> He loves his work and so would love to go to somewhere that will give him...

www.horsequest.co.uk