Help!! First pony advice please...

[woodstock1]

We are looking for a 'first pony' having just sold our pony who, like so many others, was lovely on the lead rein but too forward and a bit unpredictable off it. I am having a confidence crisis not only in the saddle, but in my ability to make a sound judgement of a pony!

Any tips?

What would you consider the most important things to find and find out?

What copromises would you think acceptable?

We don't want a tiny as I will ride from time to time.

Hope someone can help!!

 

[dawnpetenathshir]

The only thing I can say from my own limited experience is that you can only try things out. Word of mouth may be better than going to a dealer, although I bought from a dealer. I tried a few horses before I got my lovely boy. I can't explain it but as soon as I got on him I knew he was right, even though I was so nervous I was shaking. He has never put a hoof wrong since I've had him which is now 4 years. Take along someone you trust as well to give an opinion. Hope that has helped a little

 

[ladyt25]

Not really looked for ponies since we looked for ours many years ago. My first pony was when I was 10 and he was on loan - a 13.2hh, tendency to be fat, welsh C. He was fab though he was no speed merchant but you could trust him with your life.

Compromises i would make are definitely looks and age to be honest. I wouldn't give a rats a*se what a pony looked like as long as it did the job and was trustworthy. In all honesty as a sensible 'first pony' I would actually be more inclined to go for something less, how can I say, 'pretty'. I would also be probably looking at something mid teens and over aswell - a been there done it sort - but i guess that depends if you are looking to sell on or if you are prepared to keep it til the end.

Maybe look for potential ex riding school ponies/ trawl PC websites, local tack shops etc.

 

[Grey_Eventer]

hi,
i think youve got to consider whether the pony feels right, its hard to explain but all the horses/ponies ive bought i haave known they were right, its hard to explain but it just feels right....
youve also got to make some comprimises, ie. age,sex and colour, if you want the right pony you must forget these things, as it becomes really difficult to find a certain colour,age and good lead rein/ridden pony....
i would also ring around enquiring after the pony- DC, if it hunts, field masters etc etc. when the person who bought our pony called my DC, a fieldmaster, who had looked after me as if i were his own daughter, our polo manager, and they realised he was perfect for him, as although he seemed wonderful in the flesh, there is always another side to ponies tbh!
and always look for safety, imo the most important thing for a first pony, it must be safe to be around children,dogs,tractors,cars it must be safe out on hacks and not want to gallop off as soon as it sees grass, it just shuold be safe......
if your qeustioning your ability to choose the right pony, could you take an instructor or the like along with you, so they can help you decide, this often helps people as it givees another pair of eyes and its also not from the point of view of a buyer, so they wont immediatley fall in love with the pony because its cute, they will think practically about it- if you understand what im saying?
look on the PC website- so many lovely ponies, so moany lovely sellers, who are honest.
good luck in finding the pony, you will know when you find the right one, you just do!

 

[abracadabra]

really good advice I should have had when I was a kid...without telling my mother I bought myself a welsh cob x TB weanling colt, could i have BEEN any madder?!

i got in such trouble when i told her what id done

broke him myself and did showing,x country, dressage, distance rides the lot, and ive still got him now he's 22...

but you should hear me give advice to my OH's neice about how NOT to buy a weanling colt!